The OFC Professional League (OFC Pro League) marks a historic breakthrough for football in the Pacific. Organised by the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), it will debut in January 2026 as the first fully professional league in the region. With eight clubs from across Oceania and Australia, the competition is designed to raise the standard of football and provide a direct pathway to the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Origins and Development
The idea for a professional league in Oceania first emerged in 2019, when the OFC formed a task force to study its feasibility. The initial plan targeted a 2021 launch, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed progress. In November 2022, during a meeting in Doha, the OFC Executive Committee approved the project, with the start pushed back to 2025 and later to 2026 to allow clubs time to become fully professional.
By early 2025, expressions of interest had come from clubs in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Australia. After a detailed licensing process, the OFC Licensing Committee recommended eight teams, which were approved by the Executive Committee in August 2025.
Competition Format
The league will run annually from January to May. Its structure combines a round-robin phase with playoff stages:
- Regular season: A circuit series format across Pacific venues, with each club playing at least 14 matches.
- Leaders Playoff Group: The top four sides will compete for three direct semi-final spots.
- Challengers Playoff Group: The bottom four sides will fight for redemption, with the group winner facing the fourth-placed team from the Leaders Group for the last semi-final berth.
- Knockout stage: Semi-finals and the grand final will be single-leg matches, adding intensity and unpredictability.
This format ensures that every team has something to fight for throughout the season, while also keeping travel manageable across vast distances in the Pacific.
The Inaugural Clubs
Eight clubs have been confirmed for the first season in 2026:
- Auckland FC (New Zealand)
- Christchurch United (New Zealand)
- Hekari United FC (Papua New Guinea)
- Bula Boys FC (Fiji)
- Solomon Kings FC (Solomon Islands)
- Tahiti United FC (Tahiti)
- Vanuatu FC (Vanuatu)
- South Melbourne FC (Australia)
Some clubs, such as Hekari United and South Melbourne, are established names with continental experience, while others like Bula Boys FC and Tahiti United were created for the competition. This blend of tradition and innovation reflects the league’s mission to both honour Oceania’s footballing past and build a professional future.
When will the OFC Professional League begin?
The inaugural season kicks off on 10 January 2026 and will conclude in May.
How many clubs are taking part in the first season?
A total of eight clubs from seven OFC nations plus Australia have been selected.
What international tournaments will the league connect to?
The champion will qualify for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, and the competition also serves as Oceania’s pathway to the FIFA Club World Cup.
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