2025 NRFL Leagues

Last updated

NRFL Leagues
Season2025
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.

Contents

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

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Western Springs (C)2213364430+1442Winner of Northern League and qualification to National League Championship
2 Birkenhead United 2212555533+2241Qualification to National League Championship
3 Auckland United 2212464732+1540
4 Auckland City 2212463524+1140
5 Eastern Suburbs 2212463527+840
6 East Coast Bays 2210663227+536
7 Tauranga City 2293104238+430
8 Bay Olympic 22661026361024
9 Auckland FC Reserves [a] 2265113337423Qualification to National League Championship
10 Fencibles United 22561137491221
11 Manurewa (R)22441424573316Relegation to NRFL Championship
12 West Coast Rangers (R)22361326462015
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]
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. Auckland FC Reserves gain automatic entry into the National League Championship phase and cannot be relegated due to the A-League Men requirements. [2]

Championship

NRFL Championship
Season2025
Dates22 March 2025 –
30 August 2025
Champions Manukau United
PromotedManukau United
Melville United
Relegated Ngaruawahia United
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]

TeamLocationStadium2024 season
Cambridge Cambridge John Kerkhof Park 1st in Southern Conference (promoted via play-offs)
Ellerslie Ellerslie, Auckland Michaels Avenue7th
Hamilton Wanderers Chartwell, Hamilton Porritt Stadium 12th in Northern League (relegated)
Hibiscus Coast Whangaparaoa, Auckland Stanmore Bay Park4th
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 Park8th
Ngaruawahia United Ngāruawāhia Centennial Park, Ngāruawāhia3rd
North Shore United Devonport, Auckland Allen Hill Stadium9th
Northern Rovers Glenfield, Auckland McFetridge Park5th
Onehunga-Mangere United Māngere Bridge, Auckland Māngere Domain 6th
Takapuna Takapuna, Auckland Taharoto Park10th

Championship personnel and kits

TeamManagerCaptainKit manufacturerShirt sponsor
Cambridge Flag of New Zealand.svg Jordan Shaw [9] Lotto Sport Italia Wash 'N' Dry
Ellerslie Flag of New Zealand.svg Ben Fletcher [10] Seb Poelman [11] Lotto Sport Italia None
Hamilton Wanderers Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Joseph Hinds [12] Dynasty SportBayleys
Hibiscus Coast Flag of New Zealand.svg Nathan Cranney [13] Dynasty Sport Barfoot & Thompson
Manukau United Joma Munchy Mart
Melville United Flag of New Zealand.svg Jarrod Young [14] Joma NZ Roadside Assistance
Mount Albert-Ponsonby Flag of New Zealand.svg Sammy Negash [15] Lewis Black Lotto Sport Italia Woodview Construction
Ngaruawahia United Flag of New Zealand.svg Mark Cossey [16] Joma None
North Shore United Flag of New Zealand.svg Dave Fahy [17] Nike Atlas Concrete
Northern Rovers Flag of New Zealand.svg Daniel Donegan [18] Lotto Sport Italia Edge Mortgages
Onehunga-Mangere United Flag of New Zealand.svg Paul Marshall [19] Nike None
Takapuna Flag of New Zealand.svg Daniel Semp [20] Lotto Sport Italia Harcourts Cooper & Co

Championship table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Manukau United (C, P)2214265126+2544Promotion to Northern League
2 Melville United (P)2213454324+1943
3 Northern Rovers 2213365532+2342
4 Cambridge 2212644627+1942
5 Hamilton Wanderers 2213274730+1741
6 Hibiscus Coast 2210572924+535
7 Onehunga-Mangere United 2284103030028
8 North Shore United 2283112936727
9 Ellerslie 2266104856824
10 Takapuna 2273123038824
11 Mount Albert-Ponsonby 22621426522620
12 Ngaruawahia United (R)2212192079595Relegation to NRFL Conference
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]
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

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.

Championship scoring

Championship top scorers

RankPlayerClubGoals [22]
1Joshua ClarkinCambridge22
2Harley HillHamilton Wanderers17
Aston HurdNorthern Rovers
4William LitchfieldEllerslie11
5 Jama Boss Melville United9
Daniel BunchManukau United
7Luke AllportNorthern Rovers7
Jack ConnorCambridge
Agustín ContrattiManukau United
João Moreira Takapuna

Northern Conference

NRFL Northern Conference
Season2025
Dates29 March 2025 - 6 September 2025
Champions Northland
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. [23] Beachlands Maraetai, Te Atatu and Oratia United were relegated. [23]

TeamLocationStadium2024 season
Albany United Albany, Auckland Rosedale Park 4th
Beachlands Maraetai Beachlands, Auckland Te Puru Park6th [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 Grounds12th in Championship (relegated)
Metro Mount Albert, Auckland Phyllis Street11th in Championship (relegated)
Northland Morningside, Whangārei Morningside Park3rd
Waitemata Te Atatū South, Auckland McLeod Park2nd
  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. [24] [25]

Northern Conference table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Northland (C)1713404917+3243Qualification for Conference play-offs
2 Bucklands Beach 1911173729+834
3 Central United 188553829+929
4 Waitemata 197573530+526
5 Metro 188283935+426
6 Albany United 1972102733623
7 Beachlands Maraetai 19441123391616
8 Franklin United 19251223593611Relegation to NRF League One
Updated to match(es) played on 23 August 2025. Source: Northern Region Football [26]
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]
(C) Champions

Northern Conference results table

Home \ Away ALB BLM BUC CEN FRA MET NOR WTM ALB BLM BUC CEN FRA MET NOR WTM
Albany United 1–01–02–16–03–42–31–02–40–3
Beachlands Maraetai 0–20–20–30–23–21–23–10–23–0
Bucklands Beach 0–26–13–21–03–10–21–41–13–12–1
Central United 2–12–21–01–12–31–12–12–2TBD
Franklin United 0–05–21–41–43–41–82–23–31–61–1
Metro 4–04–12–34–14–01–11–11–01–3
Northland 3–03–23–04–24–0TBD3–22–02–2
Waitemata 3–10–03–22–23–12–12–41–01–20–15–1
First match(es) will be played: 29 March 2025. Source: UltimateNZSoccer
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Southern Conference

NRFL Southern Conference
Season2025
Dates29 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. [23]

TeamLocationStadium2024 season
Claudelands Rovers Claudelands, Hamilton Galloway Park3rd
Matamata Swifts Matamata Matamata Domain3rd in WaiBOP League One (promoted)
Ngongotahā Lakes [A] Ngongotahā, Rotorua Tamarahi Reserve7th
Northern United Rototuna North, Hamilton Korikori Park2nd in WaiBOP League One (promoted)
Otumoetai Matua, Tauranga Fergusson Park4th
Papamoa Papamoa Beach, Papamoa Gordon Spratt Reserve6th
Taupo Tauhara, Taupō Crown Park2nd
West Hamilton United Melville, Hamilton Mahoe Park9th 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. [27]
  2. Waikato Unicol withdrew before the start of the 2025 season and were replaced by West Hamilton United. [23] [28]

Southern Conference table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Northern United 1915047724+5345Qualification for Conference play-offs
2 Taupo 1915046829+3945
3 Otumoetai 2115066837+3145
4 Claudelands Rovers 1911086134+2733
5 Papamoa 2191114643+328
6 Matamata Swifts 18621036521620
7 Ngongotahā Lakes 20311632956310
8 West Hamilton United 1920172498746Relegation to WaiBOP League One
Updated to match(es) played on 23 August 2025. Source: Northern Region Football [29]
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.

Conference play-offs

The conference play-offs will take place on 13 and 20 September 2025. [30]

Overview

Team 1 Agg. Tooltip Aggregate scoreTeam 21st leg2nd leg
Northland (N)Play-off Taupo (S) 1–0 20 Sep

Matches

Northland 0–1 Taupo
Report
  • Barbour Soccerball shade.svg45+3'
Trigg Arena, Kensington
Referee: Yunjie Diao [31]
Taupo v Northland
Source
Crown Park, Tauhara

Women's 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. [32] They replaced Hamilton Wanderers. [33]

Women's Premiership table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 West Coast Rangers (C)2116236524+4150Winner of NRFL Premiership and qualification to National League Championship
2 Auckland United 2116147517+5849Qualification to National League Championship
3 Eastern Suburbs 2114256222+4044
4 Western Springs 219664627+1933
5 Fencibles United 217683238627
6 Ellerslie 21551133521920
7 FC Tauranga Moana 21311722997710
8 Hibiscus Coast (R)2121181167567Relegation to NRFL Women's Championship
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 [34]
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated

Women's Championship

NRFL Women's Championship
Season2025
Dates30 March 2025 –
20 July 2025
Champions Melville United
PromotedMelville United
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, [35] and one team promoted from the WaiBOP W-League as play-off winners. The promoted team is Cambridge. [35] FC Tauranga Moana were promoted, while Manukau United were relegated. [35] [36] Hamilton Wanderers withdrew before the start of the season as they were unable to fulfil their league commitments. [37] [38] They were replaced by Onehunga-Mangere United, who originally lost the play-off to Cambridge. [39]

TeamLocationStadium2024 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 Grounds2nd
Melville United Melville, Hamilton Gower Park 4th
Northern Rovers Glenfield, Auckland McFetridge Park6th
Onehunga-Mangere United Māngere Bridge, Auckland Māngere Domain 1sth in NRF Conference (promoted) [a]
Onehunga Sports Onehunga, Auckland Waikaraka Park3rd

Women's Championship table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Melville United (C, P)1917116517+4852Promotion to NRFL Women's Premiership
2 Franklin United 1913247232+4041
3 Onehunga Sports 1912254623+2338
4 Birkenhead United 1911354124+1736
5 Cambridge 19611225452019
6 Onehunga-Mangere United 19411420593913
7 Northern Rovers 19331333562312
8 Central United 19311514604610Relegation to NRF Women's Conference/WaiBOP W-League
Updated to match(es) played on 24 August 2025. Source: Northern Region Football [40]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Goals against; 5) Head to head; 6) Disciplinary record; 7) Coin toss [41]
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted

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. [38] [39]

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. 1 2 3 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. "Lotto NRFL 2025". NRFL. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  23. 1 2 3 4 "Promotion and Relegation: NRFL and WaiBOP Leagues". WaiBOP Football. 15 January 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  24. "Champions Waiheke United withdraw from NRFL Men's Northern Conference". friendsoffootballnz.com. 5 March 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  25. "A New Strategy for Long-Term Success". Waiheke United AFC. 5 March 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2025 via Facebook.
  26. Northern Region Football
  27. "Clubs form partnership to compete in new Lotto NRFL Southern Conference". friendsoffootballnz.com. 11 December 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  28. "Withdrawals and new entries force changes to Lotto NRFL Southern Conference". friendsoffootballnz.com. 24 December 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  29. Northern Region Football
  30. "Northland and Taupo to settle promotion battle with two-legged play-off". friendsoffootballnz.com. 15 September 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  31. "Northland v Taupo". Northern Region Football. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  32. "Coasting to victory". Northern Region Football . Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  33. "Title-winners end season with 3-0 win at relegated Tauranga City". friendsoffootballnz.com. 3 September 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  34. "LOTTO NRFL Regulations 2024: Appendix 2, Article 7 - Declaration of Winner". Northern Region Football . Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  35. 1 2 3 "Cambridge clinch promotion to Lotto NRFL Women's Championship with draw". friendsoffootballnz.com. 30 September 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  36. "PREVIEW: Pride on the line as Lotto NRFL Women's Championship nears end". friendsoffootballnz.com. 7 September 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  37. "NRFL Womens Championship Withdrawal". Hamilton Wanderers. 10 March 2025. Retrieved 10 March 2025 via Facebook.
  38. 1 2 "Hamilton Wanderers withdraw from Lotto NRFL Women's Championship". friendsoffootballnz.com. 12 March 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  39. 1 2 "Onehunga Mangere United win promotion to women's Championship after all". friendsoffootballnz.com. 15 March 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  40. Northern Region Football
  41. "LOTTO NRFL Regulations 2025: Appendix 2, Article 7 - Declaration of Winner". Northern Region Football . Retrieved 14 January 2025.