South Island United Football Club is a men's professional association football club based in Christchurch, New Zealand. Established in 2025, the club is owned and operated by Christchurch United and first competed in the OFC Professional League (OFCPL) 2026 season. It is the third professional football club in New Zealand after Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC, and the first in the South Island.
History South Island United was formed in 2025 as the professional branch of Christchurch United, one of New Zealand’s most successful football clubs. The creation of the new club followed Christchurch United's successful bid for entry into the newly established OFC Professional League, announced by the Oceania Football Confederation in August 2025.
The professional franchise was launched to represent the entire South Island region rather than a single city or club, aiming to unify the island's football community and provide a development pathway for young players. Club officials described South Island United as a "team for all South Island footballers", highlighting collaboration with clubs across the Southern League and Mainland Football region.
The club unveiled its name and branding in October 2025, confirming that South Island United would operate under the ownership of Christchurch United but maintain a distinct identity, kit, and management structure.
Sponsorship
On 14 December 2025, South Island United announced that Go Media would be the club's first official front shirt sponsor for the 2026 season. The next day on 15 December 2025, the club announced their first ever kit producers New Balance.
PeriodKit manufacturerShirt sponsor2026–New BalanceGo Media
Stadium South Island United uses the United Sports Centre in Christchurch as its training and administrative base. The venue is owned by Christchurch United and serves as one of New Zealand’s premier football facilities. The club plans to play in the Te Kaha stadium, once completed.
Organisation The club operates as the professional extension of Christchurch United, with the parent club retaining control of its academy and community programmes. South Island United will recruit players primarily from South Island clubs, while also signing overseas and Oceania-based players in accordance with OFCPL roster regulations.
League South Island United participate as one of eight founding clubs in the OFC Professional League, which began on 17 January 2026. The league will determine the Oceania representative for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Coaching staff Technical officials PositionNameRef. Head coach Vacant Assistant coach Adrià Casals Goalkeeping coach Callum Kennett Team manager Coen Lanmers Physiotherapist Michael Peterson
Management PositionNameRef. General manager Ryan Edwards
Captaincy history Dates Name Honours (as captain) 2026– Christian Gray Inaugural club captain
Managers
As of end of 2026 season.
+List of South Island United ManagersNameNationalityFromToWin %
Players First-team squad
OFC Professional League results SeasonRoundClubHomeAwayPosition2026Circuit seriesAuckland FC1–30–3rowspan=7 Bula FC2–30–0Vanuatu United2–12–1South Melbourne3–31–4Solomon Kings2–10–0PNG Hekari4–12–1Tahiti United3–32–2Leaders groupAuckland FC2–5rowspan=3 Bula FC1–0South Melbourne2–4Knockout StageAuckland FC0-1
SeasonOFC Professional LeaguePositionPlayoffFinalsTop goalscorer(s)PldWLDGFGAGDPtsName(s)Goals2026 145542426 −220 4th 3th Semifinals Ryan Feutz 9
See also
Christchurch United OFC Professional League Football in New Zealand Southern League (New Zealand)
References