This weekend marks the launch of the OFC Professional League, a cross-border football competition in Oceania involving clubs from seven countries, while in Europe, Latvia proposes a Baltic League to revitalize its domestic scene, highlighting a growing trend towards regional collaborations in the sport.
The OFC Professional League kicks off on January 17, 2026, at Eden Park in Auckland, featuring eight clubs from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, and Vanuatu. This initiative represents the first professional league in Oceania since Australia’s move to the Asian Confederation in 2006, with the winner earning a spot in FIFA’s Intercontinental Cup and the expanded Club World Cup. Stuart Larman, head of the league, emphasizes the goal of fostering professional development and community engagement across the region. The confederation is providing logistical support to help clubs focus on building their brands and youth programs.
Larman highlights the expected fan support, with crowds of over 10,000 anticipated in Fiji and the Solomon Islands. He believes the league will surprise observers with the quality of play, as players gain access to 17 highly competitive matches annually. This structured environment aims to develop talent and create pathways to professional football, addressing historical challenges in Oceania where resources have been limited. The success of the league could lead to expansion, depending on club strength and commercial partnerships.
In parallel, Maksims Krivunecs, president of Latvia’s top-flight Virsliga, is pushing for a Baltic League that would include Estonia and Lithuania. Facing a lack of broadcasting deals and a small sponsorship market, Krivunecs argues that cross-border competition is necessary to boost revenue and competitiveness. Independent analysis confirms that Latvian football struggles to keep pace with Europe’s top leagues, necessitating innovative solutions to sustain club growth.
The proposed Baltic League would involve a format where clubs play domestic fixtures before the top four teams from each country compete in a cross-border phase. This design ensures that nations retain their UEFA competition slots while creating a more engaging product. Krivunecs projects that the league could generate around 5 million euros per season, funding development and attracting broader interest. However, full buy-in from Estonian and Lithuanian clubs is still being negotiated, with hopes to implement a pilot within three years.
Historically, similar cross-border proposals have emerged, such as the BeNeLiga for Belgium and the Netherlands, which was studied in 2019 but lacked sufficient support. An Atlantic League concept involving teams from multiple European nations has also been discussed for decades without fruition. These efforts highlight ongoing challenges in merging leagues, often due to national interests and logistical complexities.
Experts like Larman suggest that cross-border models could be applied elsewhere, such as in the British Isles, to enhance competitiveness. Krivunecs believes that a successful Baltic League could serve as a blueprint for other regions, demonstrating how collaboration can overcome market limitations. As football continues to globalize, such innovations may become more common, driven by the need for financial stability and improved fan experiences.
The launch of the OFC Professional League and the Baltic League proposal underscore a shifting landscape in football governance. With FIFA and UEFA monitoring these developments, the future may see more regional leagues that blend domestic traditions with cross-border opportunities, ultimately aiming to elevate the sport’s quality and accessibility worldwide.
