Wellington Olympic were playing their first Grand Final since 2023, where they won 2–0 against Auckland City.[3] This was Olympic's third Grand Final in their history, and third in four years, after losing their first final 3–2 to Auckland City.[2][4]
In the following table, finals until 2003 were in the National Soccer League era, from 2005 to 2021 were in the Football Championship era, since 2021 were in the National League era.
Team
Previous grand final appearances (bold indicates winners)
Following the regional qualifiers, an 11 week Championship phase was played to determine the two finalists of the National League. The top 4 teams from the Northern League and Auckland FC Reserves; top three from the Central League and Wellington Phoenix Reserves; and the top 2 from the Southern League. The top two highest-placed teams then qualified for the Grand Final. The finalists who placed higher on the table would host the Grand Final.[6][7]
Wellington Olympic opened their season with a 1–0 win over Miramar Rangers in the Central League. Olympic won their opening eight games, storming to the lead in the Central League. They qualified for the New Zealand National League championship phase on 18 July 2025 after beating North Wellington 5–1.[8] On 23 August 2025 Olympic won the Central League for the fifth consecutive time after beating Island Bay United 5–0.[9][10]
Olympic's opening game in the National League was a 5–3 victory over Wellington Phoenix Reserves.[11] They won their first three games before losing 1–0 against grand final opponents Auckland City.[12] Olympic qualified for the Grand Final after winning their final game against fellow contenders Miramar Rangers. Ben Mata opened the scoring before Ronaldo Muñoz equalised for Miramar. Despite going down to 10 men when Justin Gulley was sent off just before half-time, Olympic were able to find a second-half winner thanks to Gianni Bouzoukis.[13]
Auckland City began their season with a 2–1 victory at home to Tauranga City in the Northern League.[14] After winning their first three games, City headed to Solomon Islands for the 2025 OFC Men's Champions League. City had a disrupted season competing in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, struggling to find consistency with their packed schedule. Auckland qualified for the championship phase on the final day of the season after beating East Coast Bays 2–0 to take the final qualifying spot.[15]
The Navy Blues were awarded a bye in the first round of the National League before losing their first fixture 3–0 away to Birkenhead United.[16][17] Again stuggling to find consistency, City were outside the top two until the final game week, where they beat Coastal Spirit 3–0 to qualify in second. Mario Ilich, Christian Gray and Myer Bevan all scored second-half goals to help City reach their fifth straight final.[13]
Pre-match
Wellington Olympic announced before the final that head coaches Paul Ifill and Ekow Quainoo would both be stepping down for the role, with Ifill also leaving his role as director of football.[18]
The match was broadcast live and free on FIFA+.[20][21]
Team selection
Olympic were without Hamish Watson and Noah Boyce due to injury. Justin Gulley missed out due to suspension after being sent-off the week before, while Adam Supyk had already departed for the OFC Pro League.[22]
City welcomed back Adam Mitchell into the starting line-up after an injury left him out for a month of action before the last game. Gerard Garriga returned to the squad, while Michael den Heijer was unavailable.[22]
Following the final, City announced manager Paul Posa had stepped down following the completion of his one-year contract.[25][26]
Notes
↑Each team is given only three opportunities to make substitutions, with a fourth opportunity in extra time, excluding substitutions made at half-time, before the start of extra time and at half-time in extra time.
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