Collection: A-League Men

In 2007, professional football in New Zealand was rescued when Wellington property developer Terry Serepisos and Century City Football secured a three-year sub-licence to run a team in the Hyundai A-League – Australasia’s premier professional football competition. After the Football Kingz (2005/06) and the New Zealand Knights (2006/07) imploded, it looked certain that Football Federation Australia would exclude a professional New Zealand-based club in the Hyundai A-League. However a small group of people passionate about football in New Zealand kept hopes alive, the Phoenix were awarded a license to play in the Hyundai A-League on 19th March, 2007 and on Sunday 26th August, 2007, Wellington’s first ever professional football teamed
took to Westpac Stadium.

Since then the Phoenix has gone from strength to strength: over one million people have gone through the gates to watch a Wellington Phoenix A-League match, the Phoenix has broken records for attendances at a football match in New Zealand twice with sell out crowds.

The Phoenix has appeared in the A-League finals on four occasions, making the elimination final in 2009-2010.

In September 2011, the Phoenix was taken over by Welnix, a consortium of some of Wellington’s most successful and influential businesspeople.

In February 2016, Football federation Australia granted Wellington Phoenix a 10 year license extension to give the club security heading into the future.

Today Wellington Phoenix is an important and integral part of New Zealand’s sporting landscape, enjoying passionate support from all over New Zealand and the world, Wellington Phoenix’s future looks bright.

In 2019, The New Working Leagues Group (NWLG) reached in-principle an agreement on recommendations for a New Era for Football in Australia by becoming an Independent league from Football Federation Australia.