The fourth edition of the OFC Women’s Champions League recently concluded in the Solomon Islands, with Auckland United FC again being crowned continental champions after defeating Hekari Women FC in the final.
In a testament to the continued growth of women’s football, this year’s tournament was the biggest yet, and was contested between ten clubs, seven of which qualified for the final tournament.
As the dust settles on the action at the National Stadium in Honiara, we’ve decided to take a look back at the moments that defined OFC Women’s Champions League 2026.
Tournament Breakdown
Group A
The tougher side of the draw had three-time runners-up Hekari Women FC placed alongside Fiji’s Ba Women FC, Vanuatu’s Tafea FC, and host club Henderson Eels FC of the Solomon Islands in Group A.
After being held to an entertaining 2-2 stalemate by Tafea on the opening matchday, Hekari surged into top spot with wins from both of their remaining two fixtures, including a 9-1 victory over Henderson Eels.
The fight to see who would join them was decided in a seven-goal thriller, Tafea FC edging Ba Women FC 4-3 on the group’s final matchday.
Group B
The odd number of competing teams in the final tournament saw defending champions Auckland United FC placed in a three-team group alongside New Caledonia’s Drehu Athletico Club and qualifying tournament winners Puaikura FC from the Cook Islands.
The decisive group fixture came on the final matchday, Puaikura twice coming from behind to pinch a 2-2 draw with Drehu Athletico Club that sealed their spot in the last four as group runners-up behind Auckland – making history by becoming the first club from the Cook Islands to reach the semi-finals of an OFC club competition.
Auckland United had previously made light work of either side, scoring 18 goals and two big wins to secure top spot.
Semi-Finals
There were clear favourites for either semi-final, but neither went totally according to script. Hekari Women FC were forced to wait 86 minutes for the decisive breakthrough against a resilient Puaikura FC, Nenny Elipas scoring the only goal.
Auckland United also didn’t have it all their own way against Tafea FC, Charley March and Olivia Ingham scoring two quick second half goals in a hard-fought 2-1 win at the National Stadium.
Final
Meeting in the final for the third successive year, Auckland United made it a three-peat of OFC Women’s Champions League titles with a 3-1 victory over Hekari Women FC.
Nenny Elipas briefly brought Hekari level early in the first half, but goals from Sasha Adamson and Aniela Jensen helped Auckland pull away.
Moments that Mattered
History for Cook Islands football
Puaikura FC became trailblazers for women’s football in the Cook Islands when they became the first club from their country to qualify for the semi-finals of either the OFC Women’s or Men’s Champions League.
The achievement was made more impressive by their route to the final tournament in the Solomon Islands in the first place, winning OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 – Qualifying two months previously in Rarotonga.
Led by a stellar defensive effort from defender Teretia Teinaki and goalkeeper C-Jay Rimamotu, Puaikura were minutes away from sending their semi-final to extra-time before conceding late in a spirited 0-1 defeat to Hekari Women FC.
Three-peat baby!
Auckland United winger Sasha Adamson’s cry of ‘three-peat baby!’ as her team held aloft the OFC Women’s Champions League trophy for a third consecutive time will live as a lasting memory from the 2026 tournament.
The New Zealand club continued their dominance on the continental stage, scoring 23 goals and conceding three across their campaign.
As well as scoring in the final, Adamson was also awarded the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament, whilst Auckland United goalkeeper Charlotte Eagle was the recipient of the Golden Glove for the best goalkeeper.
Fourth time unlucky
For the fourth year in a row Hekari Women FC finished as OFC Women’s Champions League runners-up, losing a third consecutive final to Auckland.
Nenny Elipas did at least finally score the Papua New Guinea representatives first goal in a final, but it wasn’t enough as Ericsson Komeng and his side again finished with the runners-up medals.
It may be an unwanted record but shows the consistency of Hekari as one of Oceania’s dominant forces in women’s club football.
