2025–26 Wellington Phoenix FC season
| 2025–26 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Preseason match between Wellington Phoenix and Wrexham on 19 July 2025. | |||
| Chairman | Rob Morrison | ||
| Manager | Giancarlo Italiano | ||
| Stadium | Sky Stadium | ||
| A-League Men | 7th | ||
| Australia Cup | Quarter-final | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: Ifeanyi Eze (4 goals) All: Ifeanyi Eze (4 goals) | ||
| Highest home attendance | 12,091 vs. Auckland FC (8 November 2025) A-League Men | ||
| Lowest home attendance | 3,030 vs. Newcastle Jets (14 December 2025) A-League Men | ||
| Average home league attendance | 5,390 | ||
| Biggest win | 3–1 vs. Central Coast Mariners (H) (21 December 2025) A-League Men | ||
| Biggest defeat | 0–4 vs. Heidelberg United (A) (19 August 2025) Australia Cup | ||
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| All statistics correct as of 21 December 2025. | |||
The 2025–26 season is Wellington Phoenix Football Club's 19th season in the A-League Men. In addition to the domestic league, the club participated in this season's edition of the Australia Cup.
In the Australia Cup, the Phoenix progressed to the quarter-finals after defeating Perth Glory in a penalty shootout and NPL Victoria 3 team Nunawading City 1–0.[1] Ultimately, the club succumbed to NPL Victoria side Heidelberg United on 19 August 2025.[2]
The Phoenix commenced their A-League Men campaign on 18 October 2025 away to Perth Glory.[3] The regular season will conclude in April 2026.[4]
Players
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Other players with first-team appearances
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Transfers
Transfers in
| No. | Pos. | Player | Transferred from | Type/fee | Contract length | Date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | FW | Ifeanyi Eze | Al-Karkh | Free transfer | 1 year | 15 July 2025 | [5][6] |
| 11 | FW | Carlo Armiento | Unattached | Free transfer | 1 year | 22 July 2025 | [7] |
| 10 | FW | Nikola Mileusnic | Perth Glory | Free transfer | 1 year | 13 August 2025 | [8] |
| 4 | DF | Manjrekar James | Unattached | Free transfer | 1 year | 21 August 2025 | [9] |
| 12 | DF | Daniel Edwards | Avondale FC | Free transfer | 1 year | 15 September 2025 | [10] |
| 20 | MF | Ramy Najjarine | Unattached | Free transfer | 1 year | 15 September 2025 | [11] |
Transfers out
| No. | Pos. | Player | Transferred to | Type/fee | Date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | DF | Scott Wootton | Perth Glory | End of contract | 30 June 2025 | [12][13] |
| 19 | DF | Sam Sutton | Perth Glory | End of contract | 30 June 2025 | [12][14] |
| 7 | FW | Kosta Barbarouses | Western Sydney Wanderers | End of contract | 30 June 2025 | [15][16] |
| 11 | FW | Stefan Colakovski | Unattached | End of contract | 30 June 2025 | [17] |
| 12 | MF | Francisco Geraldes | Johor Darul Ta'zim | End of loan | 30 June 2025 | [17] |
| 35 | GK | Dublin Boon | Unattached | End of contract | 30 June 2025 | [17] |
From youth squad
| N |
Pos. |
Nat. |
Name |
Age |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | MF | Anaru Cassidy | 19 | 2-year scholarship contract[18] |
Pre-season and friendlies
The Phoenix began their preseason in July 2025, with Wrexham AFC, a Welsh club in the EFL Championship, touring three A-League Men clubs as part of their preseason Wrexham Down Under tour.[19] On 20 September, the club hosted an open day including a fixture against Central League champions Wellington Olympic.[20] On 24 September, the Phoenix confirmed their final three preseason matches in New South Wales against A-League Men opponents Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers, and Central Coast Mariners.[21]
| 19 July 2025 | Wellington Phoenix | 1–0 | Wrexham | Wellington, New Zealand |
| 17:00 NZST |
|
Report | Stadium: Sky Stadium Attendance: 25,399 |
| 20 September 2025 | Wellington Phoenix | 6–1 | Wellington Olympic | Upper Hutt, New Zealand |
| 13:00 NZST | Report |
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Stadium: NZCIS |
| 26 September 2025 | Sydney FC | 1–0 | Wellington Phoenix | Sydney, Australia |
|
Report | Stadium: Leichhardt Oval |
| 4 October 2025 | Western Sydney Wanderers | 1–1 | Wellington Phoenix | Australia |
| Report |
| 12 October 2025 | Central Coast Mariners | 0–3 | Wellington Phoenix | Gosford, Australia |
| Report | Stadium: polytec Stadium |
Competitions
Overall record
| Competition | First match | Last match | Starting round | Final position | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | |||||
| A-League Men | 18 October 2025 | 24 April 2026 | Matchday 1 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 15 | −2 | 33.33 | |
| Australia Cup | 27 July 2025 | 19 August 2025 | Round of 32 | Quarter-final | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 33.33 |
| Total | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 15 | 20 | −5 | 33.33 | ||||
Last updated: 21 December 2025
Source: Competitions
A-League Men
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Adelaide United | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 11 | +2 | 12 | Qualification for Finals series[a] |
| 7 | Newcastle Jets (X) | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 20 | 22 | −2 | 12 | Qualification for AFC Champions League Two[b] |
| 8 | Wellington Phoenix[c] | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 15 | −2 | 11 | |
| 9 | Melbourne Victory | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 12 | −5 | 11 | Qualification for 2026 Australia Cup play-offs[d] |
| 10 | Perth Glory | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 12 | −5 | 10 |
Updated to match(es) played on 26 December 2025. Source: A-Leagues
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) wins; 5) head-to-head results; 5a) head-to-head points; 5b) head-to-head goal difference; 6) Fair Play points; 7) away goal difference; 8) away goals per match; 9) home goal difference; 10) home goals per match; 11) toss of a coin in an event of a tie of two clubs.
(X) Assured of qualification for AFC Champions League Two but may still qualify for other competitions.
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) wins; 5) head-to-head results; 5a) head-to-head points; 5b) head-to-head goal difference; 6) Fair Play points; 7) away goal difference; 8) away goals per match; 9) home goal difference; 10) home goals per match; 11) toss of a coin in an event of a tie of two clubs.
(X) Assured of qualification for AFC Champions League Two but may still qualify for other competitions.
Notes:
- ^ The top two teams enter the finals series at the semi-finals, while the teams ranked third to sixth enter the finals series at the elimination-finals.
- ^ Qualified for 2026–27 AFC Champions League Two as the 2025 Australia Cup winners.
- ^ Auckland FC and Wellington Phoenix cannot qualify for Asian Football Confederation competitions as they are based in New Zealand, which is part of the Oceania Football Confederation.
- ^ The top eight clubs qualify directly to the 2026 Australia Cup.
Results summary
As of 21 December 2025.
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 6 | −2 |
Results by round
Updated to match(es) played on 21 December 2025. Source: Ultimate A-League
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Matches
The A-League Men fixtures for the season were released on 11 September 2025.[4] On 20 November 2025, the Phoenix confirmed their final home match of the season, set for 18 April 2026, will take place in Christchurch. This marks the second consecutive year the Wellington Phoenix play a match in the South Island city.[22]
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
| 18 October 2025 1 | Perth Glory | 2–2 | Wellington Phoenix | Perth |
| 19:45 AWST | Report | Stadium: HBF Park Attendance: 7,868 Referee: Ben Abraham |
| 26 October 2025 2 | Wellington Phoenix | 2–1 | Brisbane Roar | Wellington |
| 15:00 NZDT | Report |
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Stadium: Sky Stadium Attendance: 6,890 Referee: Daniel Elder |
| 2 November 2025 3 | Central Coast Mariners | 1–1 | Wellington Phoenix | Gosford |
| 17:00 AEDT |
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Report |
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Stadium: Polytec Stadium Attendance: 4,813 Referee: Tim Danaskos |
| 8 November 2025 4 | Wellington Phoenix | 1–2 | Auckland FC | Wellington |
| 19:00 NZDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Sky Stadium Attendance: 12,091 Referee: Ben Abraham |
| 22 November 2025 5 | Wellington Phoenix | 0–1 | Macarthur FC | Wellington |
| 17:00 NZDT | Report |
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Stadium: Sky Stadium Attendance: 3,677 Referee: Jonathan Barreiro |
| 29 November 2025 6 | Wellington Phoenix | 2–1 | Adelaide United | Wellington |
| 17:00 NZDT | Report |
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Stadium: Sky Stadium Attendance: 3,063 Referee: Daniel Elder |
| 6 December 2025 7 | Auckland FC | 3–1 | Wellington Phoenix | Auckland |
| 17:00 NZDT | Report |
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Stadium: Go Media Stadium Attendance: 21,997 Referee: Adam Kersey |
| 14 December 2025 8 | Wellington Phoenix | 1–3 | Newcastle Jets | Wellington |
| 15:00 NZDT |
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Report | Stadium: Sky Stadium Attendance: 3,030 Referee: Alex King |
| 21 December 2025 9 | Wellington Phoenix | 3–1 | Central Coast Mariners | Wellington |
| 15:00 NZDT | Report |
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Stadium: Sky Stadium Attendance: 3,587 Referee: Tim Danaskos |
| 29 December 2025 10 | Melbourne Victory | v | Wellington Phoenix | Melbourne |
| 19:00 AEDT | Report | Stadium: AAMI Park |
| 3 January 2026 11 | Brisbane Roar | v | Wellington Phoenix | Brisbane |
| 16:00 AEST | Report | Stadium: Kayo Stadium |
| 11 January 2026 12 | Wellington Phoenix | v | Adelaide United | Wellington |
| 15:00 NZDT | Report | Stadium: Sky Stadium |
| 18 January 2026 13 | Sydney FC | v | Wellington Phoenix | Sydney |
| 17:00 AEDT | Report | Stadium: Allianz Stadium |
| 23 January 2026 14 | Newcastle Jets | v | Wellington Phoenix | Newcastle |
| 19:35 AEDT | Report | Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium |
| 30 January 2026 15 | Wellington Phoenix | v | Melbourne City | Wellington |
| 19:00 NZDT | Report | Stadium: Sky Stadium |
| 6 February 2026 16 | Wellington Phoenix | v | Melbourne Victory | Wellington |
| 19:00 NZDT | Report | Stadium: Sky Stadium |
| 13 February 2026 17 | Western Sydney Wanderers | v | Wellington Phoenix | Sydney |
| 19:35 AEDT | Report | Stadium: CommBank Stadium |
| 21 February 2026 18 | Wellington Phoenix | v | Auckland FC | Wellington |
| 17:00 NZDT | Report | Stadium: Sky Stadium |
| 1 March 2026 19 | Wellington Phoenix | v | Sydney FC | Wellington |
| 15:00 NZDT | Report | Stadium: Sky Stadium |
| 6 March 2026 20 | Adelaide United | v | Wellington Phoenix | Adelaide |
| 19:05 ACDT | Report | Stadium: Coopers Stadium |
| 14 March 2026 21 | Wellington Phoenix | v | Perth Glory | Wellington |
| 15:00 NZDT | Report | Stadium: Sky Stadium |
| 21 March 2026 22 | Brisbane Roar | v | Wellington Phoenix | Brisbane |
| 14:00 AEST | Report | Stadium: Suncorp Stadium |
| 5 April 2026 23 | Melbourne Victory | v | Wellington Phoenix | Melbourne |
| 17:00 AEST | Report | Stadium: AAMI Park |
| 12 April 2026 24 | Melbourne City | v | Wellington Phoenix | Melbourne |
| 15:00 AEST | Report | Stadium: AAMI Park |
| 18 April 2026 25 | Wellington Phoenix | v | Western Sydney Wanderers | Christchurch |
| 17:00 NZST | Report | Stadium: Apollo Projects Stadium |
| 24 April 2026 26 | Macarthur FC | v | Wellington Phoenix | Sydney |
| 19:35 AEST | Report | Stadium: Campbelltown Sports Stadium |
Australia Cup
The round of 32 Australia Cup draw took place on 26 June 2025, with the Phoenix drawing A-League Men rivals Perth Glory.[23] The draw for the round of 16 and subsequent rounds took place on 30 July 2025.[24]
| 27 July 2025 Round of 32 | Perth Glory | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (7–8 p) | Wellington Phoenix | Perth |
| 15:00 AWST |
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Report |
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Stadium: Kingsway Reserve Attendance: 1,141 Referee: Liam Barclay |
| Penalties | ||||
| 10 August 2025 Round of 16 | Nunawading City | 0–1 | Wellington Phoenix | Melbourne |
| 15:00 AEST | Report |
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Stadium: Nasiol Stadium Attendance: 1,423 Referee: Eric Saba |
| 19 August 2025 Quarter-finals | Heidelberg United | 4–0 | Wellington Phoenix | Melbourne |
| 19:30 AEST | Report | Stadium: Olympic Park Attendance: 1,547 Referee: Lachlan Keevers |
Statistics
Appearances and goals
Includes all competitions. Players with no appearances not included in the list.
- As of 21 December 2025
| No. | Pos. | Nat. | Player | A-League Men | Australia Cup | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||||
| 1 | GK | Josh Oluwayemi | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |||
| 3 | DF | Corban Piper | 2+7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | |||
| 4 | DF | Manjrekar James | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | |||
| 5 | MF | Fin Roa Conchie | 5+4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |||
| 6 | DF | Tim Payne | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |||
| 7 | FW | Ifeanyi Eze | 9 | 4 | 0+2 | 0 | 11 | 4 | |||
| 8 | MF | Paulo Retre | 0+1 | 0 | 0+3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |||
| 9 | FW | Hideki Ishige | 2+1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 1 | |||
| 11 | FW | Carlo Armiento | 9 | 3 | 0+2 | 0 | 11 | 3 | |||
| 12 | DF | Daniel Edwards | 2+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |||
| 14 | MF | Alex Rufer | 9 | 1 | 0+1 | 0 | 10 | 1 | |||
| 15 | DF | Isaac Hughes | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |||
| 17 | FW | Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues | 0+3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |||
| 18 | DF | Lukas Kelly-Heald | 9 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 1 | |||
| 20 | FW | Ramy Najjarine | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | |||
| 23 | FW | Luke Supyk | 0+1 | 0 | 1+2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |||
| 24 | DF | Xuan Loke | 3+3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |||
| 25 | MF | Kazuki Nagasawa | 9 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 1 | |||
| 27 | DF | Matthew Sheridan | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |||
| 29 | FW | Luke Brooke-Smith | 0+6 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |||
| 37 | MF | Anaru Cassidy | 0+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||
| 39 | DF | Jayden Smith | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||
| 40 | GK | Eamonn McCarron | 0+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||
| 46 | MF | Lachlan Candy | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| Player(s) transferred out but featured this season | |||||||||||
| 42 | FW | Fergus Gillion | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
Disciplinary record
Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total cards are equal. Players with no cards not included in the list.
- As of 21 December 2025
| Rank | No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name | A-League Men | Australia Cup | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | DF | Manjrekar James | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2 | 7 | FW | Ifeanyi Eze | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 11 | FW | Carlo Armiento | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 14 | MF | Alex Rufer | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 15 | DF | Isaac Hughes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 24 | DF | Xuan Loke | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 7 | 1 | GK | Josh Oluwayemi | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | DF | Tim Payne | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 8 | MF | Paulo Retre | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 25 | MF | Kazuki Nagasawa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 27 | DF | Matthew Sheridan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 10 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 1 | ||||
Clean sheets
Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total clean sheets are equal. Numbers in parentheses represent games where both goalkeepers participated and both kept a clean sheet; the number in parentheses is awarded to the goalkeeper who was substituted on, whilst a full clean sheet is awarded to the goalkeeper who was on the field at the start of play. Goalkeepers with no clean sheets not included in the list.
- As of 21 December 2025
| Rank | No. | Nat. | Goalkeeper | A-League Men | Australia Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40 | Eamonn McCarron | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Total | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||
See also
References
- ^ Rollo, Phillip (10 August 2025). "Wellington Phoenix break Nunawading City hearts with stoppage-time winner in Australia Cup round of 16". Stuff. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
- ^ Ward, Roy; Dundas, Greg (20 August 2025). "'We can do it': Heidelberg's semi-pros back at work and eyeing another A-League upset". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
- ^ Voerman, Andrew (19 October 2025). "Wellington Phoenix come from two goals down to draw with Perth Glory". Stuff. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
- ^ a b "A-League schedule released after delays". RNZ. 11 September 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ^ "Nix land exciting Nigerian striker". Wellington Phoenix. 15 July 2025.
- ^ Rollo, Phillip (15 July 2025). "Wellington Phoenix sign Nigerian goal-scorer Ifeanyi Eze to replace Kosta Barbarouses". Stuff. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Left-side attacker joins the Nix". Wellington Phoenix. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ "Nix sign renowned A-League speedster". Wellington Phoenix. 13 August 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Nix sign physically dominant defender". Wellington Phoenix. 21 August 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
- ^ "Perseverance pays off for experienced Kiwi footballer". Wellington Phoenix. 15 September 2025.
- ^ "Nix finalise men's squad with second deadline day signing". Wellington Phoenix. 16 September 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ^ a b "Defenders to depart after Australia Cup playoff". Wellington Phoenix. 12 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ Morgan, Gareth (27 May 2025). "Experienced centre-back Wootton wings his way west". Perth Glory.
- ^ Morgan, Gareth (26 May 2025). "Glory snap up New Zealand international defender". Perth Glory.
- ^ "Barbarouses farewells the Phoenix". Wellington Phoenix. 27 May 2025.
- ^ "Barbarouses joins Wanderers for 2025/26 season". Western Sydney Wanderers. 18 June 2025.
- ^ a b c "Phoenix confirm departures of three men's players". Wellington Phoenix. 2 July 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
- ^ "Nix sign young midfielder to his first pro contract". Wellington Phoenix. 12 November 2025.
- ^ "Wrexham confirm tour of NZ and Australia". RNZ. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
- ^ "Nix to hold open day at NZCIS". Wellington Phoenix. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
- ^ "Pre-season fixtures finalised". Wellington Phoenix. 24 September 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
- ^ "Christchurch fixture finalised with tickets discounted for members". Wellington Phoenix. 20 November 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ "Hahn Australia Cup 2025 Round of 32 Draw confirmed". Australia Cup. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ Voerman, Andrew (31 July 2025). "Australia Cup draw sets up prospect of a New Zealand derby semifinal for Auckland FC, Wellington Phoenix". Stuff. Retrieved 2 August 2025.