New rivalries across the Pacific will be created when the OFC Pro League kicks off at Eden Park in Auckland on January 17th.
72 matches will be played in total but there are a few that stand out above the rest.
Building upon many football rivalries already white-hot across Oceania, here are a few to keep your eye on when the action begins.
Solomon Kings FC vs PNG Hekari FC
A region known for its passion for football, Solomon Kings FC and PNG Hekari FC will put Melanesian bragging rights on the line as two of the region’s first professional football clubs clash on the league’s opening weekend.
The storied football rivalry between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands will enter a new chapter during the competition, particularly after recent meetings both in men’s and women’s football on the international stage, during the OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2025 final, and FIFA World Cup™ 26 Oceania Qualifiers.
Matches between the two sides are likely to be intense and emotionally charged throughout the season, particularly given the passion, sound, and colour their fans will undoubtedly bring to the stands.
The first instalment of the rivalry will light up the opening weekend of the league on the competition’s second match day at Eden Park, before they meet again during the third circuit round across the ditch in Australia the following month.
Dates
PNG Hekari FC vs Solomon Kings FC | Sunday January 18th, Auckland, New Zealand
Solomon Kings FC vs PNG Hekari FC | Sunday February 22nd, Australia
Auckland FC vs South Island United
The derby between New Zealand’s two OFC Pro League clubs is one that will ignite the competition on its opening weekend at Eden Park.
South Island United are now the new boys on the block as New Zealand’s latest professional football club, a position Auckland FC held upon their entry to the Australian A-League as recently as 18 months ago.
Historically the sporting rivalry between Auckland and Canterbury (where South Island United are based), has always been bitter, particularly in New Zealand’s national sport of rugby, as well as the country’s national football leagues.
Following their opening day clash, the two sides – and both sets of fans – won’t have long to wait to lock horns once again, when they face-off in Australia just over a month later in February.
Dates
Auckland FC vs South Island United | Saturday January 17th, Auckland, New Zealand
South Island United vs Auckland FC | Tuesday February 24th, Melbourne, Australia
Vanuatu United FC vs Bula FC
Meeting in the very first match of the OFC Pro League, Vanuatu United FC and Bula FC will forever share the honour of kick-starting a momentous new professional era for football in Oceania.
That honour will undoubtedly be a motivating factor for both sides, keen to begin their campaign with a win, as well as etching their name in history.
The two clubs are also neighbours within Melanesia, adding the spice of local bragging rights to the mix.
Whatever the outcome of that opening day encounter, they won’t have long to wait to go head-to-head once again, with their second match scheduled for late February in Australia.
Dates
Vanuatu United FC vs Bula FC | Saturday January 17th, Auckland, New Zealand
Bula FC vs Vanuatu United FC | Sunday February 22nd, Australia
Auckland FC vs South Melbourne FC
The rivalry between Auckland FC and South Melbourne FC is set to add another chapter to the long-running sporting rivalry between Trans-Tasman neighbours Australia and New Zealand during the first season of the OFC Pro League.
From a performance perspective, both clubs have enjoyed recent success – Auckland FC winning the A-League Men’s Premiers Plate in their first season, and South Melbourne FC recently winning the inaugural Australian Championship.
They’ll both be hoping to build on that success in the OFC Pro League, with expectations high that both clubs can mount a serious title bid.
South Melbourne FC will have home advantage when they meet for the first time during Round 3 in Australia, before they meet again during Round 5 in Fiji in April.
Dates
South Melbourne FC vs Auckland FC | Saturday February 21st, Australia
Auckland FC vs South Melbourne FC | Sunday April 12th, Ba/Suva, Fiji
PNG Hekari FC vs Vanuatu United FC
The fixture between PNG Hekari FC and Vanuatu United is another Melanesian rivalry likely to provide plenty of passion and colour in the first year of the OFC Pro League.
Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu have long been rivals on the international front, including facing off in the final of last year’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup.
Vanuatu’s win in that final sparked joyous scene across the nation, and players from both national sides will square off once again, with many included in PNG Hekari FC and Vanuatu United FC’s squads respectively.
PNG Hekari FC will have hosting rights for their first clash during Round 2, before they meet again a month later in February in Australia.
Dates
PNG Hekari FC vs Vanuatu United FC | Tuesday February 3rd, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Vanuatu United FC vs PNG Hekari FC | Saturday February 28th, Australia
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