Football’s national body has unveiled a wide-ranging proposal to reshape the men’s and women’s National Leagues from 2027.
NZ Football’s plan follows four years under the current competition format and months of consultation with clubs, players, coaches, referees, and fans.
More than 300 people have given feedback, with discussions covering the competition’s purpose, season timing, regulations, promotion and relegation, and qualification rules.
The changes aim to create a structure that better supports player development, improves match quality, and keeps the league aspirational for all clubs.
Main photo: New Zealand’s National League competitions are under review. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
Most clubs support move to winter National Leagues
Lisa Jones.
The current men’s league, introduced in 2021, replaced the old summer franchise model with a club-based format.
Clubs compete in regional winter leagues, then move into a short national championship from September to December.
The women’s league operates on a hybrid system, combining club teams in some regions with federation-run teams elsewhere.
NZ Football’s general manager for competitions and international events, Lisa Jones, said most clubs believe the season is too long in its current form.
Of the 44 clubs consulted, 41 supported moving both men’s and women’s competitions to a full winter season.
Three options for men’s competition
The proposal outlines three formats for a men’s winter league.
The first is a 12-team round robin with a finals series and Delivereasy Chatham Cup participation, offering 23-30 matches per season.
The second keeps the 12-team round robin but removes the finals series, reducing the total to 23-28 matches.
The third option expands the league to 14 teams without a finals series, giving clubs a season of up to 34 matches.
Entry fees would range from $19,000 to $25,000, excluding Chatham Cup costs.
The 12-team format would likely include four Northern League sides, three from the Central League, two from the Southern League, plus Auckland FC, Wellington Phoenix, and one other team.
Two options for women’s competition
The women’s league proposal includes two formats, both with 10 teams.
One option has a finals series alongside the Delivereasy Kate Sheppard Cup, giving teams up to 26 matches a season.
The other option removes the finals series, capping the number of games to a maximum of 24.
Entry fees would range from $14,000 to $15,000, excluding Kate Sheppard Cup costs.
The 10-team league would include four NRFL clubs, two Central League clubs, two Southern League clubs, plus Auckland FC and Wellington Phoenix.
Options for the women’s National League could see more fixtures played each season. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
Regulation changes proposed
NZ Football is recommending changes to player eligibility rules.
The under-20 rule in the men’s league, requiring a certain number of young players, is under review. Many clubs believe it has had unintended consequences and should be removed.
NZF says it will hold further talks to ensure talent pathways remain strong if the rule is dropped.
How promotion and relegation could work
All clubs support a formal promotion and relegation system to keep the leagues competitive.
Under the proposal, regional league winners would play off for promotion. The bottom team in the National League would be automatically relegated.
The second-placed play-off team would face the second-bottom National League team for the final place in the top division.
The same system would apply to the women’s league, with one up and one down each season.
NZF would cover the costs of play-off matches.
Raising the bar for 2027
From 2027, entry into the National League would be based on results, historical performance, and meeting higher club licensing standards.
These standards would assess facilities, streaming capability, media coverage, and overall professionalism.
An independent panel would review applications, with 2026 results playing a key role in determining participation.
NZ Football’s competition review could also see changes to the Chatham Cup (left) and Kate Sheppard Cup. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
Cup competitions under review
The Chatham Cup and Kate Sheppard Cup could see higher entry fees, but only if the extra funds are used to subsidise travel in later rounds.
There is also a push to start national travel earlier — from round four in the men’s competition and from the quarterfinals in the women’s.
Summit to finalise proposals
The proposals will be discussed at the National League Summit in August, open to all clubs in the current National League system.
NZ Football seek feedback from outside the league as well, with submissions welcomed through federations or directly to Lisa Jones.
She said the goal is to deliver “an exciting new competition in 2027” that raises standards and maintains strong development pathways.
The plan, she said, is still open to changes based on feedback before a final structure is confirmed.
READ MORE: South Island clubs push for more involvement in new National League structure >>>>
DOWNLOAD: Click here for NZ Football’s plan as a PDF >>>>>
This story was first published on August 13, 2025.