2025 NRFL Leagues

NRFL Leagues

Season	2025
← 2024 2026 →

The 2025 NRFL Leagues is the 61st and 59th seasons respectively of the NRFL Championship and NRFL Conference, football competitions in New Zealand. Established in 1965, currently twelve teams compete in the Championship while 8 teams compete in the Northern and Southern sections of the Conference League.

Northern League

Main article: 2025 New Zealand National League § 2025 Northern League

The Northern League sits above the two NRFL Divisions and is also overseen by Northern Region Football, despite being run by New Zealand Football as part of the New Zealand National League.

Twelve teams are competing in the league – the top ten teams from the previous season, one team promoted from the NRFL Championship and Auckland FC Reserves. The promoted team is Fencibles United. ^[1] It is both Auckland FC Reserves's and Fencibles United's first season in the National League. They replaced Melville United and Hamilton Wanderers (both relegated after a four-year Northern League spell).

Northern League table

This section is transcluded from 2025 New Zealand National League. (edit | history)

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Auckland City	3	3	0	0	5	2	+3	9	Winner of Northern League and qualification to National League Championship
2	Birkenhead United	3	2	1	0	12	5	+7	7	Qualification to National League Championship
3	Auckland United	3	2	1	0	8	5	+3	7
4	Tauranga City	3	2	0	1	8	6	+2	6
5	Western Springs	3	1	1	1	4	2	+2	4
6	Eastern Suburbs	3	1	1	1	4	3	+1	4
7	Bay Olympic	3	1	1	1	5	5	0	4
8	West Coast Rangers	3	1	0	2	4	6	−2	3
9	Auckland FC Reserves [a]	3	0	2	1	3	4	−1	2	Qualification to National League Championship
10	East Coast Bays	3	0	2	1	5	7	−2	2
11	Fencibles United	3	0	1	2	3	7	−4	1	Relegation to NRFL Championship
12	Manurewa	3	0	0	3	0	9	−9	0

Updated to match(es) played on 6 April 2025. Source: NRF
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Goals against; 5) Head to head; 6) Disciplinary record; 7) Coin toss ^[3]
Notes:

1. Auckland FC Reserves gain automatic entry into the National League Championship phase due to the A-League Men requirements. ^[2]

Championship

NRFL Championship

Season	2025
Dates	22 March 2025 – 30 August 2025
← 2024 2026 →

Each team can field a maximum of five foreign players as well as one additional foreign player who has Oceania Football Confederation nationality. Over the course of the season, each team must also ensure players aged 20 or under account for 7% of available playing minutes. ^[4]

Championship teams

Twelve teams are competing in the league – nine teams from the previous season, the two teams relegated from the 2024 Northern League and one team promoted from the NRFL Conference. The relegated teams were Melville United and Hamilton Wanderers, ^[5] while the promoted team is Cambridge. ^[6] Fencibles United were promoted, while Metro and Franklin United were relegated. ^{[7] [8]}

Team	Location	Stadium	2024 season
Cambridge	Cambridge	John Kerkhof Park	1st in Southern Conference (promoted via play-offs)
Ellerslie	Ellerslie, Auckland	Michaels Avenue	7th
Hamilton Wanderers	Chartwell, Hamilton	Porritt Stadium	12th in Northern League (relegated)
Hibiscus Coast	Whangaparaoa, Auckland	Stanmore Bay Park	4th
Manukau United	Māngere East, Auckland	Centre Park	2nd
Melville United	Hamilton Lake, Hamilton	Gower Park	11th in Northern League (relegated)
Mount Albert-Ponsonby	Mount Albert, Auckland	Anderson Park	8th
Ngaruawahia United	Ngāruawāhia	Centennial Park, Ngāruawāhia	3rd
North Shore United	Devonport, Auckland	Allen Hill Stadium	9th
Northern Rovers	Glenfield, Auckland	McFetridge Park	5th
Onehunga-Mangere United	Māngere Bridge, Auckland	Māngere Domain	6th
Takapuna	Takapuna, Auckland	Taharoto Park	10th

Championship personnel and kits

Team	Manager	Captain	Kit manufacturer	Shirt sponsor
Cambridge	Jordan Shaw [9]		Lotto Sport Italia	Wash 'N' Dry
Ellerslie	Ben Fletcher [10]	Seb Poelman [11]	Lotto Sport Italia	None
Hamilton Wanderers	Joseph Hinds [12]		Dynasty Sport	Bayleys
Hibiscus Coast	Nathan Cranney [13]		Dynasty Sport	Barfoot & Thompson
Manukau United			Joma	Munchy Mart
Melville United	Jarrod Young [14]		Joma	NZ Roadside Assistance
Mount Albert-Ponsonby	Sammy Negash [15]	Lewis Black	Lotto Sport Italia	Woodview Construction
Ngaruawahia United	Mark Cossey [16]		Joma	None
North Shore United	Dave Fahy [17]		Nike	Atlas Concrete
Northern Rovers	Daniel Donegan [18]		Lotto Sport Italia	Edge Mortgages
Onehunga-Mangere United	Paul Marshall [19]		Nike	None
Takapuna	Daniel Semp [20]		Lotto Sport Italia	Harcourts Cooper & Co

Championship table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Northern Rovers	3	3	0	0	8	2	+6	9	Promotion to Northern League
2	Hamilton Wanderers	3	2	0	1	9	4	+5	6
3	Cambridge	3	2	0	1	7	2	+5	6
4	Ellerslie	3	2	0	1	6	4	+2	6
5	Mount Albert-Ponsonby	3	2	0	1	5	4	+1	6
6	North Shore United	3	1	2	0	6	4	+2	5
7	Hibiscus Coast	3	1	1	1	2	5	−3	4
8	Melville United	3	1	0	2	4	5	−1	3
9	Takapuna	3	1	0	2	4	6	−2	3
10	Ngaruawahia United	3	0	1	2	3	11	−8	1
11	Manukau United	2	0	0	2	3	6	−3	0
12	Onehunga-Mangere United	2	0	0	2	0	4	−4	0	Relegation to NRFL Conference

Updated to match(es) played on 5 April 2025. Source: Northern Region Football ^[21]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Goals against; 5) Head to head; 6) Disciplinary record; 7) Coin toss ^[4]

Championship results table

Home \ Away	CAM	ELL	HAM	HBC	MAN	MEL	MAP	NGA	NSU	NTR	OHM	TAK
Cambridge	—
Ellerslie		—
Hamilton Wanderers			—
Hibiscus Coast				—
Manukau United					—
Melville United						—
Mount Albert-Ponsonby							—
Ngaruawahia United								—
North Shore United									—
Northern Rovers										—
Onehunga-Mangere United											—
Takapuna												—

First match(es) will be played: 22 March 2025. Source: UltimateNZSoccer
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Northern Conference

NRFL Northern Conference

Season	2025
Dates	29 March 2025 - 6 September 2025
← 2024 2026 →

Northern Conference teams

Eight teams are competing in the league – five teams from the previous season, two teams relegated from the 2024 Championship, and one team promoted from the NRF League One. The relegated teams are Metro and Franklin United, while the promoted team is Central United. ^[22] Beachlands Maraetai, Te Atatu and Oratia United were relegated. ^[22]

Team	Location	Stadium	2024 season
Albany United	Albany, Auckland	Rosedale Park	4th
Beachlands Maraetai	Beachlands, Auckland	Te Puru Park	6th [a]
Bucklands Beach	Bucklands Beach	Lloyd Elsmore Park	5th
Central United	Sandringham, Auckland	Kiwitea Street	1st in NRF League One (promoted)
Franklin United	Drury	Drury Sports Grounds	12th in Championship (relegated)
Metro	Mount Albert, Auckland	Phyllis Street	11th in Championship (relegated)
Northland	Morningside, Whangarei	Morningside Park	3rd
Waitemata	Te Atatū South, Auckland	McLeod Park	2nd

1. Beachlands Maraetai were relegated at the end of the 2024 season, however, Waiheke United withdrew in March 2025 and Beachlands were reprieved of relegation. ^{[23] [24]}

Northern Conference table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Northland	2	2	0	0	8	2	+6	6	Qualification for Conference play-offs
2	Albany United	2	2	0	0	3	0	+3	6
3	Bucklands Beach	2	1	0	1	4	2	+2	3
4	Waitemata	2	0	2	0	1	1	0	2
5	Metro	1	0	1	0	1	1	0	1
6	Beachlands Maraetai	2	0	1	1	0	2	−2	1
7	Central United	1	0	0	1	2	4	−2	0
8	Franklin United	2	0	0	2	1	8	−7	0	Relegation to NRF League One

Updated to match(es) played on 5 April 2025. Source: Northern Region Football ^[25]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Goals against; 5) Head to head; 6) Disciplinary record; 7) Coin toss ^[4]

Northern Conference results table

Home \ Away	ALB	BLM	BUC	CEN	FRA	MET	NOR	WTM
Albany United	—
Beachlands Maraetai		—
Bucklands Beach			—
Central United				—
Franklin United					—
Metro						—
Northland							—
Waitemata								—

First match(es) will be played: 29 March 2025. Source: UlitmateNZSoccer
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Southern Conference

NRFL Southern Conference

Season	2025
Dates	29 March 2025 - 30 August 2025
← 2024 2026 →

Southern Conference teams

Eight teams are competing in the league – five teams from the previous season, and three teams from WaiBOP League One. Otorohanga won WaiBOP League One but declined promotion allowing Northern United and Matamata Swifts to be promoted. Waikato Unicol pulled out before the start of the season and were replaced by West Hamilton United. Cambridge won the league and play-off gaining promotion, while Te Awamutu were relegated. ^[22]

Team	Location	Stadium	2024 season
Claudelands Rovers	Claudelands, Hamilton	Galloway Park	3rd
Matamata Swifts	Matamata	Matamata Domain	3rd in WaiBOP League One (promoted)
Ngongotahā Lakes [A]	Ngongotahā, Rotorua	Tamarahi Reserve	7th
Northern United	Rototuna North, Hamilton	Korikori Park	2nd in WaiBOP League One (promoted)
Otumoetai	Matua, Tauranga	Fergusson Park	4th
Papamoa	Papamoa Beach, Papamoa	Gordon Spratt Reserve	6th
Taupo	Tauhara, Taupō	Crown Park	2nd
West Hamilton United	Melville, Hamilton	Mahoe Park	9th in WaiBOP League One (promoted) [B]

1. Ngongotaha AFC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Lakes FC at the end of the 2022 season to have a combined team for the 2023 season onwards. ^[26]
2. Waikato Unicol withdrew before the start of the 2025 season and were replaced by West Hamilton United. ^{[22] [27]}

Southern Conference table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Papamoa	2	2	0	0	13	1	+12	6	Qualification for Conference play-offs
2	Otumoetai	2	2	0	0	7	4	+3	6
3	Taupo	2	2	0	0	5	2	+3	6
4	Northern United	2	1	0	1	11	5	+6	3
5	Matamata Swifts	2	1	0	1	6	3	+3	3
6	Claudelands Rovers	2	0	0	2	2	5	−3	0
7	Ngongotahā Lakes	2	0	0	2	1	12	−11	0
8	West Hamilton United	2	0	0	2	1	14	−13	0	Relegation to WaiBOP League One

Updated to match(es) played on 5 April 2025. Source: Northern Region Football ^[28]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Goals against; 5) Head to head; 6) Disciplinary record; 7) Coin toss ^[4]

Southern Conference results table

Home \ Away	CLR	MAT	NGO	NTU	OTU	PAP	TAU	WHU	CLR	MAT	NGO	NTU	OTU	PAP	TAU	WHU
Claudelands Rovers	—								—
Matamata Swifts		—								—
Ngongotahā Lakes			—								—
Northern United				—								—
Otumoetai					—								—
Papamoa						—								—
Taupo							—								—
West Hamilton United								—								—

First match(es) will be played: 29 March 2025. Source: UltimateNZSoccer
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Women's Premiership

Main article: 2025 New Zealand Women's National League § 2025 NRFL Premiership

The NRFL Women's Premiership acts as a qualifier for the New Zealand Women's National League.

Eight teams are competing in the league – the top seven teams from the previous season and the promoted side from the 2024 NRFL Championship. The promoted team is FC Tauranga Moana as winners of the NRFL Championship. ^[29] They replaced Hamilton Wanderers. ^[30]

Women's Premiership table

This section is transcluded from 2025 New Zealand Women's National League. (edit | history)

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Auckland United	3	3	0	0	15	1	+14	9	Winner of NRFL Premiership and qualification to National League Championship
2	West Coast Rangers	3	3	0	0	14	2	+12	9	Qualification to National League Championship
3	Eastern Suburbs	3	2	0	1	6	3	+3	6
4	Western Springs	3	1	1	1	4	5	−1	4
5	Ellerslie	3	1	1	1	4	6	−2	4
6	Fencibles United	3	0	1	2	2	5	−3	1
7	Hibiscus Coast	3	0	1	2	3	9	−6	1
8	FC Tauranga Moana	3	0	0	3	1	18	−17	0	Relegation to NRFL Women's Championship

Updated to match(es) played on 6 April 2025. Source: Northern Region Football
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Goals against; 5) Head to head; 6) Disciplinary record; 7) Coin toss ^[31]

Women's Championship

NRFL Women's Championship

Season	2025
Dates	30 March 2025 – 20 July 2025
← 2024 2026 →

Women's Championship teams

Eight teams are competing in the league – six teams from the previous season, the one team relegated from the 2024 NRFL Premiership, Hamilton Wanderers, ^[32] and one team promoted from the WaiBOP W-League as play-off winners. The promoted team is Cambridge. ^[32] FC Tauranga Moana were promoted, while Manukau United were relegated. ^{[32] [33]} Hamilton Wanderers withdrew before the start of the season as they were unable to fulfil their league commitments. ^{[34] [35]} They were replaced by Onehunga-Mangere United, who originally lost the play-off to Cambridge. ^[36]

Team	Location	Stadium	2024 season
Birkenhead United	Beach Haven, Auckland	Shepherds Park	5th
Cambridge	Cambridge	John Kerkhof Park	1st in WaiBOP W League (promoted via play-offs)
Central United	Sandringham	Kiwitea Street	7th
Franklin United	Drury	Drury Sports Grounds	2nd
Melville United	Melville, Hamilton	Gower Park	4th
Northern Rovers	Glenfield, Auckland	McFetridge Park	6th
Onehunga-Mangere United	Māngere Bridge, Auckland	Māngere Domain	1sth in NRF Conference (promoted) [a]
Onehunga Sports	Onehunga, Auckland	Waikaraka Park	3rd

Women's Championship table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Melville United	2	2	0	0	8	3	+5	6	Promotion to NRFL Women's Premiership
2	Onehunga Sports	2	2	0	0	6	1	+5	6
3	Birkenhead United	2	2	0	0	5	0	+5	6
4	Franklin United	2	1	0	1	6	5	+1	3
5	Northern Rovers	2	0	1	1	2	4	−2	1
6	Onehunga-Mangere United	2	0	1	1	1	4	−3	1
7	Cambridge	2	0	0	2	1	4	−3	0
8	Central United	2	0	0	2	0	8	−8	0	Relegation to NRF Women's Conference/WaiBOP W-League

Updated to match(es) played on 6 April 2025. Source: Northern Region Football ^[37]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Goals against; 5) Head to head; 6) Disciplinary record; 7) Coin toss ^[38]

Women's Championship results table

Home \ Away	BIR	CAM	CEN	FRA	MEL	NTR	OHM	OHS	BIR	CAM	CEN	FRA	MEL	NTR	OHM	OHS
Birkenhead United	—								—
Cambridge		—								—
Central United			—								—
Franklin United				—								—
Melville United					—								—
Northern Rovers						—								—
Onehunga-Mangere United							—								—
Onehunga Sports								—								—

First match(es) will be played: 30 March 2025. Source: Northern Region Football
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Notes

1. Hamilton Wanderers withdrew from the competition on 10 March 2025 after the fixtures had been released and were replaced by Onehunga-Mangere United. ^{[35] [36]}

References

1. "Fencibles United clinch Championship title and promotion to Northern League". friendsoffootballnz.com. 25 August 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
2. "National League Regulations 2022: Article 12". New Zealand Football . Retrieved 19 April 2022.
3. "National League Regulations 2025: Article 29 - NL Format". New Zealand Football . Retrieved 5 February 2025.
4. "LOTTO NRFL Regulations 2025: Appendix 1, Article 7 - Declaration of Winner". Northern Region Football . Retrieved 14 January 2025.
5. "Fixtures schedule revealed for 2025 Lotto NRFL Men's Championship". friendsoffootballnz.com. 5 March 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
6. "Cambridge seal promotion with play-off win against Waiheke United". friendsoffootballnz.com. 21 September 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
7. "Fencibles United clinch Championship title and promotion to Northern League". friendsoffootballnz.com. 25 August 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
8. "Promotion and Relegation: NRFL and WaiBOP Leagues". WaiBOP Football . 15 January 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
9. "Cambridge appoint Jordan Shaw as head coach for club's 75th anniversary season". friendsoffootballnz.com. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
10. "Ben Fletcher signs on for fourth season as Ellerslie's NRFL Championship coach". friendsoffootballnz.com. 14 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
11. "NRFL MENS PLAYER SIGNINGS". Ellerslie AFC Instagram. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
12. "Hamilton Wanderers sign English midfielder Jay Glover for new season". friendsoffootballnz.com. 4 March 2025. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
13. "Nathan Cranney to lead Hibiscus Coast for another NRFL Men's Championship". friendsoffootballnz.com. 11 February 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
14. "Melville United make new signings for Lotto NRFL Men's Championship season". friendsoffootballnz.com. 10 March 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
15. "Sammy Negash joins Mt Albert Ponsonby for new men's Championship campaign". friendsoffootballnz.com. 20 November 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
16. "Former All White Mark Cossey to coach Ngaruawahia United next season". friendsoffootballnz.com. 14 December 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
17. "Dave Fahy to lead North Shore United's next NRFL Championship campaign". friendsoffootballnz.com. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
18. "Northern Rovers appoint Daniel Donegan as men's head coach for next season". friendsoffootballnz.com. 18 October 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
19. "Paul Marshall returns to Onehunga Mangere United as head coach". friendsoffootballnz.com. 5 December 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
20. "Takapuna's Daniel Semp appointed for second season as men's first team coach". friendsoffootballnz.com. 30 October 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
21. Northern Region Football
22. "Promotion and Relegation: NRFL and WaiBOP Leagues". WaiBOP Football. 15 January 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
23. "Champions Waiheke United withdraw from NRFL Men's Northern Conference". friendsoffootballnz.com. 5 March 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
24. "A New Strategy for Long-Term Success". Waiheke United AFC. 5 March 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2025– via Facebook.
25. Northern Region Football
26. "Clubs form partnership to compete in new Lotto NRFL Southern Conference". friendsoffootballnz.com. 11 December 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
27. "Withdrawals and new entries force changes to Lotto NRFL Southern Conference". friendsoffootballnz.com. 24 December 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
28. Northern Region Football
29. "Coasting to victory". Northern Region Football . Retrieved 9 March 2023.
30. "Title-winners end season with 3-0 win at relegated Tauranga City". friendsoffootballnz.com. 3 September 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
31. "LOTTO NRFL Regulations 2024: Appendix 2, Article 7 - Declaration of Winner". Northern Region Football . Retrieved 27 January 2024.
32. "Cambridge clinch promotion to Lotto NRFL Women's Championship with draw". friendsoffootballnz.com. 30 September 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
33. "PREVIEW: Pride on the line as Lotto NRFL Women's Championship nears end". friendsoffootballnz.com. 7 September 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
34. "NRFL Womens Championship Withdrawal". Hamilton Wanderers. 10 March 2025. Retrieved 10 March 2025– via Facebook.
35. "Hamilton Wanderers withdraw from Lotto NRFL Women's Championship". friendsoffootballnz.com. 12 March 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
36. "Onehunga Mangere United win promotion to women's Championship after all". friendsoffootballnz.com. 15 March 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
37. Northern Region Football
38. "LOTTO NRFL Regulations 2025: Appendix 2, Article 7 - Declaration of Winner". Northern Region Football . Retrieved 14 January 2025.