New zealand football championship
You're referring to the New Zealand Football Championship, also known as the ISPS Handa Premiership!
The New Zealand Football Championship is the top-level professional association football league in New Zealand. It was established in 2004 and is currently contested by eight teams. The league is operated by New Zealand Football, the governing body of football in New Zealand.
Here are the teams that currently compete in the ISPS Handa Premiership:
- Auckland City FC
- Team Wellington
- Wellington Phoenix Reserves
- Eastern Suburbs AFC
- Hamilton Wanderers
- Waitakere United
- Canterbury United Dragons
- Tasman United
The league season typically runs from October to April, with each team playing each other twice (home and away) during the regular season. The top four teams then qualify for the playoffs, which culminate in the Grand Final.
Auckland City FC has been the most successful team in the league, winning 11 titles, including four consecutive championships from 2013 to 2016. Team Wellington has also had success, winning three titles, including back-to-back championships in 2014 and 2015.
The ISPS Handa Premiership is an important competition in New Zealand, providing a platform for local players to develop their skills and potentially earn international recognition. It also serves as a feeder league for the Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand's only professional football team that competes in the Australian A-League.