Most clubs support move to winter National Leagues
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Lisa Jones.<\/p>\n
The current men\u2019s league, introduced in 2021, replaced the old summer franchise model with a club-based format.<\/p>\n
Clubs compete in regional winter leagues, then move into a short national championship from September to December.<\/p>\n
The women\u2019s league operates on a hybrid system, combining club teams in some regions with federation-run teams elsewhere.<\/p>\n
NZ Football\u2019s general manager for competitions and international events, Lisa Jones, said most clubs believe the season is too long in its current form.<\/p>\n
Of the 44 clubs consulted, 41 supported moving both men\u2019s and women\u2019s competitions to a full winter season.<\/p>\n
Three options for men\u2019s competition<\/p>\n
The proposal outlines three formats for a men\u2019s winter league.<\/p>\n
The first is a 12-team round robin with a finals series and Delivereasy Chatham Cup participation, offering 23-30 matches per season.<\/p>\n
The second keeps the 12-team round robin but removes the finals series, reducing the total to 23-28 matches.<\/p>\n
The third option expands the league to 14 teams without a finals series, giving clubs a season of up to 34 matches.<\/p>\n
Entry fees would range from $19,000 to $25,000, excluding Chatham Cup costs.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Two options for women\u2019s competition<\/p>\n
The women\u2019s league proposal includes two formats, both with 10 teams.<\/p>\n
One option has a finals series alongside the Delivereasy Kate Sheppard Cup, giving teams up to 26 matches a season.<\/p>\n
The other option removes the finals series, capping the number of games to a maximum of 24.<\/p>\n
Entry fees would range from $14,000 to $15,000, excluding Kate Sheppard Cup costs.<\/p>\n
The 10-team league would include four NRFL clubs, two Central League clubs, two Southern League clubs, plus Auckland FC and Wellington Phoenix.<\/p>\n
NZ Football is recommending changes to player eligibility rules.<\/p>\n The under-20 rule in the men\u2019s league, requiring a certain number of young players, is under review. Many clubs believe it has had unintended consequences and should be removed.<\/p>\n NZF says it will hold further talks to ensure talent pathways remain strong if the rule is dropped.<\/p>\n How promotion and relegation could work<\/p>\n All clubs support a formal promotion and relegation system to keep the leagues competitive.<\/p>\n Under the proposal, regional league winners would play off for promotion. The bottom team in the National League would be automatically relegated.<\/p>\n The second-placed play-off team would face the second-bottom National League team for the final place in the top division.<\/p>\n The same system would apply to the women\u2019s league, with one up and one down each season.<\/p>\n NZF would cover the costs of play-off matches.<\/p>\n Raising the bar for 2027<\/p>\n From 2027, entry into the National League would be based on results, historical performance, and meeting higher club licensing standards.<\/p>\n These standards would assess facilities, streaming capability, media coverage, and overall professionalism.<\/p>\n An independent panel would review applications, with 2026 results playing a key role in determining participation.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n There is also a push to start national travel earlier \u2014 from round four in the men\u2019s competition and from the quarterfinals in the women\u2019s.<\/p>\n Summit to finalise proposals<\/p>\n The proposals will be discussed at the National League Summit in August, open to all clubs in the current National League system.<\/p>\n NZ Football seek feedback from outside the league as well, with submissions welcomed through federations or directly to Lisa Jones.<\/p>\n She said the goal is to deliver \u201can exciting new competition in 2027\u201d that raises standards and maintains strong development pathways.<\/p>\n The plan, she said, is still open to changes based on feedback before a final structure is confirmed.<\/p>\n READ MORE:\u00a0South Island clubs push for more involvement in new National League structure<\/a> >>>><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Rene-Wasi-goal.jpeg\"\/)
Options for the women\u2019s National League could see more fixtures played each season. Photo: Shane Wenzlick \/ Phototek<\/a>.
\nRegulation changes proposed<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Chatham-Cup-Kate-Sheppard-Cup.jpeg\"\/)
NZ Football\u2019s competition review could also see changes to the Chatham Cup (left) and Kate Sheppard Cup. Photo: Shane Wenzlick \/ Phototek<\/a>.
\nCup competitions under review<\/p>\n