The heartbeat of Pacific football pulsed through Auckland last night as the Oceania football community gathered at the iconic Eden Park stadium to celebrate the official launch of the OFC Pro League, a bold new chapter in the region’s sporting story.
Hosted by Goran Paladin, the evening was night of celebration and excitement, as football in the Pacific takes a bold step into a new era.
Against the backdrop of New Zealand’s most storied stadium, players, coaches, and officials from across Oceania came together to mark the moment football in the Pacific turned professional.
Eight teams will contest the OFC Pro League, representing seven Pacific nations. Each was represented at the launch by key figures including coaches, general managers, and CEOs, eager to share their vision for how the league will reshape football in their communities.
OFC President Lambert Maltock captured the spirit of the occasion in his address:
“What begins here tonight at Eden Park will change the landscape of football in Oceania, forever.”
It was a statement that echoed around the room, reminding all present of the significance of this new venture, the first truly professional league in the region.
Early rivalries are already brewing. Fans can look forward to a fiery North vs South Aotearoa derby when Auckland FC faces South Island United, a match sure to light up the calendar.
Across the Pacific, the excitement is just as strong. Tahiti United, formed on the foundations of powerhouse AS Venus, will showcase some of Tahiti’s brightest talents. Meanwhile, Solomon Kings FC are set to benefit from a strategic partnership with Australia’s Wynnum Wolves, strengthening player pathways and development opportunities.
Familiar names like Vanuatu’s Brian Kaltak and Fiji’s Roy Krishna were proudly mentioned as examples of what Pacific football can produce. With the launch of the OFC Pro League, clubs such as Vanuatu United FC and Bula FC are determined to unearth the next generation of homegrown heroes and do it consistently.
Among the evening’s standout stories was PNG Hekari FC, rising from the legacy of Hekari United. With former Papua New Guinea national coach Marcos Gusmão back at the helm and three Brazilian signings already confirmed, giving the Port Moresby-based club a bump in profile before a ball is even kicked.
And then there’s South Melbourne FC, the lone Australian entrant, and a club steeped in Oceania football history. A former Oceania Club Championship winner during Australia’s days as an OFC member, they bring with them a passionate fanbase and a reputation for success that will add plenty of spark to the competition.
The OFC Pro League kicks off on January 17, 2026, just over 11 weeks away but after yesterday evening’s launch the momentum is in full swing. In less than three months’ time the whistle will blow and Oceania’s first-ever professional league will kick off.
Who will come out on top, which players will catch the eye, and where will the trophy end up come May? Only time will tell.
Photos: OFC Media via Phototek