The OFC Professional League (OFCPL; also known as the OFC Pro League) is a professionalassociation football league organised by the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). Planned to debut in the 2026 season, it is the first fully-professional association football league in Oceania, and consists of eight clubs based in countries across Oceania and Australia. The league's competition will feature a double round-robin with all eight teams, after which the four best-performing teams are split from the worst four for a third and final round-robin that determines four berths in a championship-deciding knockout tournament. The league's champion will qualify for the annual FIFA Intercontinental Cup, and the league will also serve as a pathway to the quadrennial FIFA Club World Cup.
The Pro League was founded in 2019 as part of an effort by the OFC to foster professionalism in Oceanian football. It initially planned to commence play in 2021, but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania. Expressions of interest from clubs in various countries were received ahead of the selection of the league's eight charter clubs in August 2025.
History
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] In 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] The league's formation and development operated on the following timeline:[6]
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.
On 29 January 2025, the OFC held a meeting at its headquarters in Auckland, New Zealand to discuss the league with potential New Zealand-based clubs.[7] The OFC also opened expressions of interest for clubs across the region to participate in the inaugural season.[8] Additionally, Australian-based clubs were invited to participate.[9] By February 2025, initial interest had been received from clubs in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Australia, and New Zealand.[10] Among the clubs that submitted expressions of interest to the OFC were Eastern United and Sunshine Coast Fire from Australia,[11][12]Wellington Phoenix and Nelson Suburbs from New Zealand,[13][14]Bougainville, Port Moresby, and Lae City from Papua New Guinea,[12] and Real Kakamora from the Solomon Islands.[13] The participants in the league's inaugural season were announced in August 2025.[15]
Format
The competition plans to runs from January to May. 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 14 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.[8] The league will also serve as Oceania's qualifying pathway for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.[8]
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] 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] As part of their inclusion in the competition, Auckland will field an age-restricted side.[18]
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