Eight clubs representing seven nations from across the Pacific will have the honour of playing in the inaugural OFC Pro League, when the action kicks off in January 2026.
Played across five circuit rounds held in five different nations, before a finals series in New Zealand, clubs will play up to 19 matches as they vie to become champions of the Pacific.
With anticipation rising across the region ahead of competition kick-off, let’s take a closer look at the first four of the eight competing clubs.
Auckland FC (New Zealand)
A-League Men’s Premiers in their very first season as a professional club, Auckland FC will be attempting to replicate that success in the OFC Pro League.
Coached by Luke Casserly (former Australian international and Auckland FC reserves coach) the Black Knights have assembled a strong squad, blessed with plenty of professional and international experience.
Veteran striker and player-coach Emiliano Tade has already proven his scoring touch in OFC competitions, notching 27 goals in nine editions of the OFC Men’s Champions League for Auckland City. He’s joined by former Western Sydney Wanderers defender Tass Mourdoukoutas, Central Coast Mariners defender Zac Zoricich, and New Zealand youth international forward Kian Donkers.
As the first professional club in New Zealand’s largest city since the demise of the New Zealand Knights in 2007, Auckland FC have built a passionate group of supporters known as The Port, who will provide the home backing when they host the opening round of the OFC Pro League in January and the finals series in May.
Bula FC (Fiji)
As one of the oldest football nations in the Pacific, Fiji will finally have a professional football club to call its own when Bula FC take part in the OFC Pro League.
Former Guadeloupe international captain, Stéphane Auvray joins the club as dual coach of both Bula FC and the Fijian national men’s side, and has constructed a strong squad that blends experience with young homegrown talent.
Striker Roy Krishna is arguably the league’s marquee signing and returns home from playing professionally in India, holding the record for the most caps and goals for the Fijian national team.
Trinidad and Tobago international Kaïlé Auvray and Japanese midfielder Yuta Konagaya further add to the quality and diversity of the playing group.
Young Fijian internationals Thomas Dunn, Nabil Begg, and Semi Nabenu, are joined by the experienced Scott Wara, Gabiriele Matanisiga, and Christopher Wasasala, all of whom have played overseas.
PNG Hekari FC (Papua New Guinea)
Built on the foundations of Papua New Guinea’s most successful club, PNG Hekari FC are the nation’s first professional football team, and will be looking to build on the historic success of Hekari United, who famously won the OFC Men’s Champions League in 2010, going on to represent the region at the FIFA Club World Cup™.
Brazilian coach Marcos Gusmão has extensive knowledge of the local scene – having managed the national men’s side across two previous separate stints – and his squad features a host of that talent, including a dangerous attacking strike force that features Raymond Gunemba, Ati Kepo, Rex Naime and Nathaniel Eddie.
Along with the manager, there’s a distinct Brazilian flair to the side, with Gusmão utilising three of his overseas visa spots for three Brazilian players in Erick Joe, Rafael Chaves, and Kauê Silva.
Home fans won’t have long to wait to see their nation’s new professional outfit in action, when Port Moresby hosts the second circuit round of the OFC Pro League, beginning on January 31.
Solomon Kings FC (Solomon Islands)
One of the most passionate football nations in the Pacific, the Solomon Islands will be represented by Solomon Kings FC in the OFC Pro League, the Melanesian nation’s first professional sports club.
Built out of a partnership between Brisbane-based football club Wynnum Wolves and the Solomon Islands Football Federation, the Kings have a strong Australian connection and will host the fourth circuit round in Honiara in March.
Englishman Ben Cahn takes the reins as Head Coach, having previously experienced professional coaching with Brisbane Roar in the A-League Men’s competition, and has signed another Australian and former Roar player in attack, Jez Lofthouse.
Exciting local talent otherwise fills their squad and backed by one of the loudest and proudest fanbases in world football, the Kings will be tough to beat, especially on home soil.