List of association football clubs in New Zealand

Last updated

Association football , also known as football and previously known as soccer, is a popular recreational sport in New Zealand. The sport is administered in New Zealand by the governing body New Zealand Football (NZF). This is a list of association football clubs that play in the top leagues in New Zealand and Australia.

Contents

Administration

New Zealand is divided up into six regional federations that help in the administration and promotion of the sport in New Zealand:

A-League

TeamLocationHome ground
Auckland FC Auckland Go Media Stadium
Wellington Phoenix Wellington Sky Stadium

The Wellington Phoenix is managed under New Zealand Football itself rather than one of the federations. Auckland and Wellington Phoenix are the only professional football club in New Zealand, [1] [2] [3] [4] with both of them playing in the Australian A-League. [5] [6] [7]

OFC Pro League

TeamLocation
Auckland FC Auckland
South Island United Christchurch

New Zealand National League

The New Zealand National League is the top men's football league in the New Zealand league system. Founded in 2021, the New Zealand National League is the successor to the New Zealand Football Championship. The league will be contested by ten teams, with teams qualifying from their regional leagues. Four teams will qualify from the Northern League, three qualify from the Central League, two qualify from the newly formed Southern League and the Wellington Phoenix Reserves are given an automatic spot each year. [8] [9] [10]

The regional leagues runs from March through to September, with varying number of games in each region. The Championship phase runs after the completion of the regional leagues with each team playing each other once, followed by a grand final. Each season, two clubs gain qualification to the OFC Champions League, the continental competition for the Oceania region.

Regional competition

Premier winter club competitions is divided into three regional leagues:

Alphabetically

The divisions are correct for the 2024 season and the levels are stated as per the New Zealand football league system.

Key

Key to divisional change
New Club
Club was promoted to a higher Level
Club was transferred between divisions at the same Level
Club resigned or was demoted to a lower Level
Club was relegated to a lower Level

A

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
AFC Bohemian Celtic Auckland Sunday LeaguesSUNCeltics
Al-Huda Otago Division 25Promoted from Otago Division 3
Albany United NRFL Northern Conference 4Reds
Auckland City Northern League 2Navy Blues
Auckland United Northern League 2

B

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
Balclutha Southland Division 25Promoted from Otago Division 1
Banks Peninsula Mainland Division 913
Bay Cosmos Northland Division 49
Bay Olympic Northern League 2Olympic
Beachlands Maraetai NRFL Northern Conference 4Beachlands
Blenheim Valley Sports Marlborough Division 15Valley
Birkenhead United Northern League 2Birko
Brooklyn Northern United Capital 14BNU
Bream Bay United Northland Division 16
Bucklands Beach NRFL Northern Conference 4Bucklands
Burnham Mainland Division 610Relegated from Mainland Division 11
Burwood Mainland Premier League 3

C

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
Cambridge NRFL Southern Conference 4Reds
Carterton Wairarapa 18
Cashmere Technical Southern League 2
Castlecliff Whanganui Championship6New Club
Central Marlborough Division 15
Central Brown Northland Division 27Promoted from Northland Division 4
Central United NRF League One 5CentralRelegated from NRFL Northern Conference
Christchurch United Southern League 2Rams
Claudelands Rovers NRFL Southern Conference 4Rovers
Clendon United NRF Division 510
Clevedon NRF South Division 914Promoted from NRF South Division 10
Coastal Spirit Southern League 2
Colo Boys Auckland Sunday LeaguesSUN

D

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
Dannevirke Manawatu Division 27
Douglas Villa Capital 14Promoted from Capital 2
Dunedin City Royals Southern League 2
Durie Hill Whanganui Championship6
Drury United NRF Division 49Promoted from NRF Division 5

E

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
East Coast Bays Northern League 2BaysPromoted from NRFL Championship
Eastern City Waikato Division 49New Club
Eastern Suburbs Northern League 2Lilywhites
Ellerslie NRFL Championship 3Ponies
Eltham Taranaki Division 26
Eskview United Hawkes Bay Division 26

F

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
FC Nelson Nelson Premier Division 15
FC Twenty 11 Southern League 2
FC Western Central Federation League 3Promoted from Taranaki Premiership
FC Whangarei Northland Division 16
Featherston United Wairarapa 18
Feilding United Horizons Premiership4
Fencibles United NRFL Championship 3
Ferrymead Bays Southern League 2Bays
Franklin United NRFL Championship 3Promoted from NRFL Northern Conference

G

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
Geraldine South Canterbury Division 14Promoted from South Canterbury Division 2
Gisborne Bohemians Gisborne Eastern 25
Gisborne Thistle Central Federation League 3Thistle
Gisborne United Gisborne Eastern 14
Glen Eden United NRF Harbour Division 813New Club
Golden Bay Nelson Premier Division 15Promoted from Nelson Division 2
Gore Wanderers Southland Division 1 4
Grants Braes Otago Division 14
Green Island Southern Premier League 3Relegated from Southern League
Greenhithe NRF Division 510Promoted from NRF Harbour Division 6
Greytown Capital 25Promoted from Capital 3

H

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
Halswell United Mainland Premier League 3Hawks
Hamilton Wanderers Northern League 2Wanderers
Hastings Hibernian Hawkes Bay Division 26
Hauraki Plains Waikato Division 49New Club
Havelock North Wanderers Central Federation League 3WanderersPromoted from Pacific Premiership
Hāwera Taranaki Premiership4
Hibiscus Coast NRFL Championship 3Coast
High School Old Boys AFC Mainland Division 48
High School Old Boys SC Gisborne Division 14Promoted from Gisborne Division 2
Hornby United Mainland Division 37
Huntly Thistle Waikato Division 16ThistlePromoted from Waikato Division 2
Hurunui Rangers Mainland Division 913

I

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
Independiente Auckland Sunday LeaguesSUN
Inglewood Taranaki Premiership4Promoted from Taranaki Championship
Internationale Auckland Sunday LeaguesSUN
Island Bay United Central League 2SharksPromoted from Capital Premier

K

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
Kaikohe Northland Division 27
Kaitaia United Northland Division 16Promoted from Northland Division 2
Kaitake Taranaki Premiership4Promoted from Taranaki Championship
Kapiti Coast United Horowhenua/Kapiti Division 18KCU
Kamo Northland Division 16Promoted from Northland Division 2
Kaponga Taranaki Championship5Promoted from Taranaki Division 1
Katikati Bay League Division 1A6
Kerikeri Northland Division 16

L

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
Levin Horizons Premiership4
Linton Horizons Championship5
Lower Hutt City Capital Premier 3Yellows
Lynn-Avon United NRF Division 510Promoted from NRF Central Division 6

M

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
Madhatters Northland Division 27Relegated from Northland Division 1
Manakau United Horowhenua/Kapiti Division 18
Manawatu Plunderers Manawatu Division 38
Mangawhai Northland Division 27Relegated from Northland Division 1
Mangere United NRF League One 5Promoted from NRF Division 3
Manukau United NRFL Championship 3Relegated from Northern League
Manurewa Northern League 2Rewa
Mapua Rangers Nelson Division 26RangersPromoted from Nelson Division 3
Martinborough Wairarapa 2/39/10
Masterton Wairarapa 18
Massey University Manawatu Division 16Massey
Matamata Swifts WaiBOP League One5Swifts
Maycenvale United Pacific Premiership4
Melville United Northern League 2
Metro NRFL Championship 3
Methven Mainland Division 26
Mid Canterbury United Mainland Division 15
Miramar Rangers Central League 2Rangers
Morrinsville Waikato Division 16Promoted from Waikato Division 2
Mosgiel Southern Premiership3Plainsmen
Motueka Nelson Premiership Division 15
Moturoa Taranaki Premiership4Reds
Mount Albert-Ponsonby NRFL Championship 3

N

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
Naenae SC Capital 36
Napier City Rovers Central League 2Rovers
Napier Marist Pacific Premiership4
Napier South Hawkes Bay Division 26
Nelson Suburbs Southern League 2Suburbs
New Plymouth Boys' High School Taranaki Premiership4
New Plymouth Rangers Central Federation League 3RangersPromoted from Taranaki Premiership
Ngatapa Gisborne Eastern 25
Ngaruawahia United NRFL Championship 3Green Machine
Ngongotahā Lakes NRFL Southern Conference 4Villagers
Ngunguru Northland Division 16
Nomads United Southern League 2Nomads
North End Manawatu Division 16
North Shore United NRFL Championship 3Shore
North Wellington Central League 2
Northern FootballSouth Premier League 3Northern
Northern Hearts FootballSouth Premier League 3Hearts
Northern United WaiBOP League One5Promoted from Waikato Division 1
Northern Rovers NRFL Championship 3Rovers
Northern Wairoa Northland Division 27
Northland NRFL Northern Conference 4

O

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
Ohope Beach Bay League 1A6New Club
Old Boys Otago Division 1 4RedsTransferred from Southland Division 1
Ōmokoroa Bay League 2A7New Club
Onehunga Sports NRF South Division 611SportsPromoted from NRF Central Division 8
Onehunga Mangere United NRFL Championship 3OMU
Onerahi Northland Division 16
Oratia United NRFL Northern Conference 4Tia
Otago University FootballSouth Premier League 3Varsity
Otaki Horowhenua/Kapiti Division 18
Otahuhu United NRF Division 38Promoted from NRF Division 4
Otorohanga WaiBOP League One5
Otumoetai NRFL Southern Conference 4
Oxford Mainland Division 15Promoted from Mainland Division 4

P

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
Paekākāriki Horowhenua/Kapiti Division 18
Pahiatua Manawatu Division 38
Palmerston North Marist Central Federation League 3Marist
Palmerston North United Central Federation League 3
Papakura City NRF League One 5
Papamoa NRFL Southern Conference 4
Papanui-Redwood Mainland Division 59
Papatoetoe NRF League One 5Reds
Papatoetoe United NRF Division 49Promoted from NRF South Division 6
Parklands United Mainland Premier League 3
Peringa United Central Federation League 4Promoted from Taranaki Premiership
Petone Central League 2Settlers
Picton Marlborough Division 26Relegated from Marlborough Division 1
Plains Rangers Bay League Division 2B8Relegated from Bay League Division 2
Pleasant Point South Canterbury Division 14Promoted from South Canterbury Division 2
Porirua City Wellington 18
Port Hill United Pacific Premiership4
Puhoi NRF Harbour Division 813New Club
Pukekohe NRF Division 49
Putaruru Rangers Waikato Division 38RangersPromoted from Waikato Division 4

Q

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
Queens Park FootballSouth Premier League 3Park
Queenstown Rovers FootballSouth Premier League 3Rovers

R

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
Rangers Nelson Premier Division 15
Ranui Swanson NRF Division 510Relegated from NRF League One
Rapa Nui Auckland Sunday LeaguesSUN
Red Sox Manawatu Manawatu Division 16
Richmond Athletic Nelson Premier Division 15
Rivercity Whanganui Championship6Chiefs
Roslyn-Wakari FootballSouth Premier League 3
RNZ Navy NRF Division 49

S

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
Seatoun Capital Premier 3Toon
Selwyn United Southern League 2
Shockers Gisborne Eastern 14Promoted from Gisborne Eastern 2
South Auckland Rangers NRF League One 5Rangers
Southend United Southland Division 25Relegated from Southland Division 1
Sperm Whales Auckland Sunday Football LeaguesSUNSpunkies
St Albans Shirley Mainland Division 26
Stokes Valley Capital 25
Stop Out Central League 2
Stratford Taranaki Division 26

T

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
Tahuna Nelson Premier Division 15
Takapuna NRFL Championship 3TakaRelegated from Northern League
Takaro Horizons Premiership4
Taradale Central Federation League 3
Taupo NRFL Southern Conference 4
Tauranga City Northern League 3The BluesPromoted from NRFL Championship
Tawa Capital Premier 3
Te Atatu NRFL Northern Conference 5Promoted from NRF League One
Te Awamutu NRFL Southern Conference 4
Te Kotahitanga Capital Premier 3New Club
Te Puke United WaiBOP League One6Promoted from Bay League 1
Temuka United South Canterbury Division 36Relegated from South Canterbury Division 2
Thames Waikato Division 27
Tikipunga Northland Division 16
Thistle FC Southland Division 1 4Thistle
Timaru Boys' High School South Canterbury Division 14
Timaru City South Canterbury Division 36
Thistle AFC South Canterbury Division 14Thistle
Tokoroa WaiBOP League One5
Trojans Marlborough Division 15
Tuakau NRF South Division 510

U

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
Uni-Mount Bohemian NRF League One 5Uni-Mount
University of Auckland Auckland Sunday Football LeaguesSUN
University of Canterbury Southern League 2Promoted from Mainland Premier League
Upper Hutt City Capital Premier 3

V

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
Victoria University Capital 14Vic Uni

W

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
Waiariki Bay League 2B8New Club
Waiheke United NRFL Northern Conference 4IslandersRelegated from NRFL Championship
Waihi Waikato Division 27
Waihopai Southland Division 14
Waikanae Horowhenua/Kapiti Division 18
Waikato Unicol NRFL Southern Conference 4
Waimakariri United Mainland Premier League 3Waimak
Wainui Gisborne Eastern 14
Wainuiomata Capital Premier 3
Waiariki Bay League 2B8New Club
Wairarapa United Women's 14 [a] Rapa
Wairoa Athletic Gisborne Eastern 25Relegated from Gisborne Eastern 1
Waitara Taranaki Championship5Promoted from Taranaki Division 1
Waitemata NRFL Northern Conference 4
Waiuku NRF League One 5Blue ArmyPromoted from NRF Division 5
Wakefield Nelson Division 26
Wanaka FootballSouth Premier League 3
Warkworth NRF Harbour Division 611Relegated from NRF Division 5b
Waterside Karori Central League 2Wharfies
Wellington Marist Capital 14MaristPromoted from Capital 2
Wellington Olympic Central League 2Greeks
Wellington Phoenix Reserves Central League 2Nix
Wellington United Capital 36Diamonds
West Auckland NRF League One 5Relegated from NRFL Northern Conference
West Coast Rangers Northern League 3Rangers
West End South Canterbury Division 14
West Hamilton United WaiBOP League One5
Western Mainland Premier League 3Dub
Western Rangers Pacific Premiership4
Western Rovers FC Southland Division 36
Western Springs Northern League 2Springs
Western Suburbs Central League 2Wests
Whakatane Town Bay League Division 1A6
Whanganui Athletic Central Federation League 3Relegated from Central League
Wanganui City Horizons Premiership4
Wanganui Marist Whanganui Championship6
Winton Southland Division 25Relegated from Southland Division 1
Woodleigh Taranaki Championship5
Woodville Manawatu Division 38New Club
Wyndham Town Southland Division 36Relegated from Southland Division 2

Z

ClubLeague/DivisionLvlNicknameChange from 2022 to 2023
Zamantix Rovers Auckland Sunday Football LeaguesSUN

Clubs in system last season

Club2022 League/DivisionLvlNickname
Horowhenua Coastal Capital 14
Kawerau Bay League Division 16
Marewa United Hawkes Bay Division 36
Paihia Northland Division 27
Te Anau Southland Division 14

See also

Notes

  1. Wairarapa United pulled their men's team out of the Central League before the start of the 2022 season, leaving the women's team as their top senior team. [11]

Total

References

  1. "Fact file: New Zealand football". Tourism New Zealand. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  2. "The battle to get a New Zealand team in Australia's W-League". Stuff . 30 September 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  3. Voerman, Andrew (25 March 2021). "The Wellington Phoenix have as large a Kiwi presence right now as they ever have had". Stuff . Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  4. Jack Snape (21 November 2023). "New Auckland football club to join A-Leagues after Bill Foley secures licence". The Guardian.
  5. Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu. "Football in New Zealand". teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  6. "What's in a name? It's been a decade since the Wellington Phoenix got theirs". Stuff . 27 March 2017. Archived from the original on 23 January 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  7. "Auckland expansion team awarded full A-Leagues license". A-Leagues. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  8. "New National League competition details confirmed". New Zealand Football . Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  9. "New National League competition". New Zealand Football . Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  10. "New National League system". New Zealand Football . Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  11. "Update to the 2022 Central League". New Zealand Football . Retrieved 9 August 2022.