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OFC Professional League

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
OFC Professional League
Founded2019
First season2026
CountryOceania
ConfederationOFC
Number of clubs8
International cup(s)OFC Champions League, FIFA Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup

The OFC Professional League is a planned association football league set to debut in January 2026, under the auspices of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). It will consist of eight premier clubs from across the Pacific, establishing a professional framework for football development in the region.

History

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In 2019, the Oceania Football Confederation formed a task force to determine the viability of a professional football league for the Oceania region.[1] The league was initially expected to begin play in 2021.[2] However, progress was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]

On 19 November 2022 in Doha, Qatar, the OFC Executive Committee voted to move forward with the league, initially targeting a 2025 launch.[3] The launch was later postponed to 2026 to allow clubs time to transition to fully professional status.[4]

In January 2024, the OFC announced plans to implement the VAR system for the league's first season.[5]

On 29 January 2025, the OFC held a meeting at its Home of Football headquarters in Auckland, New Zealand to discuss the league with potential New Zealand-based clubs.[6] The OFC also opened expressions of interest for clubs across the region to participate in the inaugural season.[7] Additionally, Australian-based clubs were invited to participate, reflecting collaboration between the OFC, Football Australia, and the Australian Government.[8]

Format

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The OFC Professional League will feature eight teams from across the Pacific, [9] competing in a structured format that ensures high-intensity competition throughout the season. The league will operate on the following timeline:

  • End of June 2025 – Conclusion of the club application process.
  • August 2025 – OFC Licensing Committee submits recommendations to the OFC Executive Committee.
  • September 2025 – Final approval and issuance of licenses to the eight selected clubs.

The competition will commence in January 2026, running through May 2026. It will feature five circuit series rounds held across various Pacific locations in a double round-robin format, with each team playing a minimum of 17 matches.

Following the regular season, teams will be split into two playoff groups:

  • Leaders Playoff Group – The top four teams will compete for semi-final berths.
  • Challengers Playoff Group – The bottom four teams will battle for redemption, with the top team earning a chance to face the fourth-placed team from the Leaders Playoff Group for a semi-final spot.

The semi-finals and grand final will be single-leg matches, ensuring every game carries high stakes. The season will conclude with the crowning of the inaugural OFC Professional League Champions.[7]

The league will also serve as Oceania's qualifying pathway for:

Players

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The vision of the league is to create a pathway for Oceania's players to be scouted and join top clubs in Australia, Asia, and Europe.[2] The competition structure is designed to keep every match meaningful and maintain competitive intensity throughout the season.[7]

An early roster concept includes composite teams similar to Super Rugby side Moana Pasifika, with squads primarily built upon Oceanian players and featuring marquee players from other regions.[1]

OFC Professional League Manager Stuart Larman emphasised that the format ensures "the competition remains exciting right until the very end," with even the fourth-placed team having the opportunity to play off against the fifth-placed team for a spot in the semi-finals.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Ewart, Richard (December 2022). "OFC Pro League could feature composite Pacific island teams and marquee players from overseas". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  2. ^ a b "OFC plans to deliver professional league in 2021". The National. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  3. ^ "OFC Professional League Enters Next Stage". Papua New Guinea Post Courier. 24 November 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  4. ^ Lammers, Coen. "OFC President Sees Life's Work Come to Fruition at OFC Men's Nations Cup". Oceania Football Confederation. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  5. ^ "VAR a game changer for OFC". Oceania Football. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  6. ^ "New Zealand clubs interested in joining OFC Professional League to meet in Auckland". Oceania Football Confederation. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Expressions of interest open for inaugural OFC Professional League". Oceania Football Confederation. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  8. ^ "Expressions of interest from Australian clubs welcomed as OFC Professional League gathers pace". Oceania Football Confederation. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  9. ^ "Expressions of interest open for inaugural OFC Professional League". Oceania Football Confederation. 2025-02-11. Retrieved 2025-02-13.