Football is one of New Zealand’s most popular sports, played in many forms through all seasons by male and females of all ages.

While also popular as a participation sport for adults, it has become New Zealand’s most popular participation sports for children aged 16 and under due to its high popularity among both boys and girls.

Football is traditionally a winter sport and local club football (and national cup competitions) continues to be played between late March and September, although New Zealand’s National Leagues for men, women and youth (men) are played in summer. Futsal, the FIFA-endorsed format of indoor football, is played all year round.

New Zealand Football, a member of both FIFA and OFC , is responsible for leading and governing the game at a national level but at a grass roots level football is delivered, in accordance with NZF’s vision for the game, by seven member federations with five covering the North Island and two covering the South Island.

There are approximately 500 football clubs in New Zealand, affiliated to New Zealand Football via one of its member federations, competing in local and in some cases cross-federation competitions.

The New Zealand Football Championship and the related National Youth League are contested by franchises, and the National Woman’s League features federation representative sides.

To play football, use our club finder (located on the home page) to find clubs in your area.