2025–26 Wellington Phoenix FC (women) season
| 2025–26 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Match between the Phoenix and Adelaide United at Porirua Park (Jerry Collins Stadium) on 25 January 2026. | |||
| Chairman | Robert Morrison | ||
| Manager | Bev Priestman | ||
| Stadium | Jerry Collins Stadium, Porirua Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington (three matches)[note 1] | ||
| A-League Women | 2nd | ||
| Top goalscorer | Pia Vlok (6) | ||
| Highest home attendance | 4,655 vs. Canberra United (8 November 2025) | ||
| Lowest home attendance | 772 vs. Melbourne Victory (23 November 2025) | ||
| Average home league attendance | 2,141 | ||
| Biggest win | 7–0 vs. Sydney (H) (20 December 2025) | ||
| Biggest defeat | 0–1 vs. Melbourne City (A) (7 December 2025) 0–1 vs. Perth Glory (A) (12 December 2025) 1–2 vs. Melbourne City (H) (10 January 2026) 1–2 vs. Central Coast Mariners (H) (15 February 2026) | ||
|
| |||
| All statistics correct as of 21 March 2026. | |||
The 2025–26 season is the fifth in the history of Wellington Phoenix FC (women). They are competing in the A-League Women.
On 30 July 2025, the Phoenix signed Bev Priestman as head coach on a 2-year contract.[2][3]
The Phoenix's season commenced on 8 November 2025 at home to Canberra United. The regular season will conclude in April 2026.[4]
Players
First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Transfers
Transfers in
| No. | Pos. | Player | From | Type/fee | Contract length | Date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | DF | Lucía León | Adelaide United | Free transfer | 1 year | 10 June 2025 | [5] |
| 5 | DF | Ellie Walker | Braga | Free transfer | 1 year | 12 June 2025 | [6] |
| 6 | MF | Tessel Middag | Rangers | Free transfer | 1 year | 19 June 2025 | [7] |
| 1 | GK | Victoria Esson | Rangers | Free transfer | 1 year | 24 June 2025 | [8] |
| 9 | FW | Sabitra Bhandari | Guingamp | Free transfer | 2 years | 17 July 2025 | [9] |
| 2 | DF | CJ Bott | Leicester City | Free transfer | 2 years | 1 August 2025 | [10][11] |
| 24 | FW | Pia Vlok | Auckland United | Free transfer | 3 years[note 2] | 5 August 2025 | [12] |
| 16 | DF | Marisa van der Meer | Western Springs | Free transfer | 2 years | 4 September 2025 | [13] |
| 8 | MF | Macey Fraser | Utah Royals | Free transfer | 3 years | 12 September 2025 | [14] |
| 23 | FW | Brooke Nunn | Central Coast Mariners | Free transfer | 1 year | 24 October 2025 | [15] |
| 27 | FW | Zoe Benson | Auckland United | Youth development agreement | 4 December 2025 | [16] | |
| 32 | MF | Emma Pijnenburg | Feyenoord | Free transfer | 6 months | 29 December 2025 | [17] |
| 31 | FW | Makala Woods | Unattached | Injury replacement | 6 months | 7 January 2026 | [18] |
| 30 | FW | Mackenzie Anthony | Shelbourne | Injury replacement | 6 months | 22 January 2026 | [19] |
From academy squad
| N |
Pos. |
Nat. |
Name |
Age |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | FW | Grace Bartlett | 18 | youth development agreement[16] | |
| 26 | FW | Lily Brazendale | 19 | youth development agreement[16] | |
| 25 | GK | Harriet Muller | 17 | youth development agreement[16] |
Transfers out
| No. | Pos. | Player | Transferred to | Type/fee | Date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | MF | Annalie Longo | Retired | 20 April 2025 | [20] | |
| 39 | GK | Carolina Vilão | Unattached | End of contract | 23 June 2025 | [21][22] |
| 5 | DF | Alivia Kelly | Unattached | End of contract | 9 July 2025 | [22] |
| 6 | MF | Maya McCutcheon | Unattached | End of contract | 9 July 2025 | [22] |
| 9 | FW | Olivia Fergusson | Unattached | End of contract | 9 July 2025 | [22] |
| 14 | MF | Mebae Tanaka | Unattached | End of contract | 9 July 2025 | [22] |
| 2 | DF | Zoe McMeeken | Unattached | End of contract | 11 July 2025 | [23] |
| 8 | MF | Amelia Abbott | Unattached | End of contract | 11 July 2025 | [23] |
| 23 | DF | Rebecca Lake | Unattached | End of contract | 5 September 2025 | [24] |
| 19 | MF | Olivia Ingham | Auckland United | Mutual contract termination | 18 March 2026 | [25] |
Contract extensions
| No. | Player | Position | Duration | Date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Emma Main | Forward | 2 years | 4 July 2025 | [26] |
| 4 | Mackenzie Barry | Defender | 1 year | 9 July 2025 | [27] |
| 7 | Grace Jale | Forward | 1 year | 16 July 2025 | [28] |
| 3 | Tiana Jaber | Defender | 2 years | 23 July 2025 | [29] |
| 13 | Brooke Neary | Goalkeeper | 1 year[note 3] | 18 September 2025 | [30] |
| 23 | Brooke Nunn | Forward | 1 year | 12 March 2026 | Contract extended from end of 2025–26 to end of 2026–27[31] |
| 31 | Makala Woods | Forward | 1 year | 12 March 2026 | Contract extended from end of 2025–26 to end of 2026–27[31] |
Pre-season and friendlies
The Phoenix's preseason fixtures were confirmed by the club on 24 September 2025.[32]
| 12 October 2025 | Central Coast Mariners | 2–1 | Wellington Phoenix | Gosford |
|
Report | Stadium: polytec Stadium |
| 17 October 2025 | Western Sydney Wanderers | 0–0 | Wellington Phoenix | Sydney |
| Report | Stadium: TBC |
Competitions
Overall record
| Competition | First match | Last match | Starting round | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | ||||
| A-League Women | 8 November 2025 | 3 April 2026 | Matchday 1 | 17 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 35 | 14 | +21 | 52.94 |
| Total | 17 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 35 | 14 | +21 | 52.94 | |||
Last updated: 21 March 2026
Source: Competitions
A-League Women
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melbourne City (A) | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 32 | 18 | +14 | 34 | Qualification for AFC Women's Champions League and Finals series |
| 2 | Wellington Phoenix[a] (Q) | 17 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 35 | 14 | +21 | 31 | Qualification for Finals series |
| 3 | Adelaide United | 17 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 21 | 18 | +3 | 30 | |
| 4 | Canberra United | 17 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 26 | 20 | +6 | 27 | |
| 5 | Melbourne Victory | 18 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 25 | 22 | +3 | 25 |
Updated to match(es) played on 20 March 2026. 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.
(A) Advance to a further round; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
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.
(A) Advance to a further round; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Notes:
- ^ Wellington Phoenix cannot qualify for the AFC Women's Champions League as they are based in New Zealand, which is part of the Oceania Football Confederation.
Results summary
As of 21 March 2026.
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 17 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 35 | 14 | +21 | 31 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 19 | 7 | +12 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 7 | +9 |
Matches
The league fixtures were released on 11 September 2025.[4] Wellington have byes in rounds 1 and 9.
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
| 8 November 2025 2 | Wellington Phoenix | 1–1 | Canberra United | Wellington |
| 16:00 NZDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Sky Stadium Attendance: 4,655 Referee: Sarah Jones |
| 16 November 2025 3 | Wellington Phoenix | 1–1 | Newcastle Jets | Porirua |
| 16:00 NZDT |
|
Report | Stadium: Porirua Park Attendance: 1,292 Referee: Anna-Marie Keighley |
| 23 November 2025 4 | Wellington Phoenix | 1–0 | Melbourne Victory | Porirua |
| 16:00 NZDT |
|
Report | Stadium: Porirua Park Attendance: 772 Referee: Anna-Marie Keighley |
| 7 December 2025 6 | Melbourne City | 1–0 | Wellington Phoenix | Melbourne |
| 15:00 AEDT |
|
Report | Stadium: ctrl:cyber Pitch Attendance: 619 Referee: Shab Roshan |
| 12 December 2025 7 | Perth Glory | 1–0 | Wellington Phoenix | Perth |
| 20:00 AWST |
|
Report | Stadium: Sam Kerr Football Centre Attendance: 1,069 Referee: Mikayla Ryan |
| 20 December 2025 8 | Wellington Phoenix | 7–0 | Sydney FC | Porirua |
| 16:00 NZDT | Report | Stadium: Porirua Park Attendance: 1,009 Referee: Sarah Jones |
| 30 December 2025 10 | Western Sydney Wanderers | 0–3 | Wellington Phoenix | Sydney |
| 19:00 AEDT | Report | Stadium: Wanderers Football Park Attendance: 1,622 Referee: Georgia Ghirardello |
| 3 January 2026 11 | Brisbane Roar | 2–2 | Wellington Phoenix | Brisbane |
| 15:00 AEST |
|
Report | Stadium: Kayo Stadium Attendance: 4,494 Referee: Lara Lee |
| 10 January 2026 12 | Wellington Phoenix | 1–2 | Melbourne City | Porirua |
| 16:00 NZDT |
|
Report | Stadium: Porirua Park Attendance: 1,301 Referee: Anna-Marie Keighley |
| 17 January 2026 13 | Canberra United | 0–2 | Wellington Phoenix | Canberra |
| 17:30 AEDT | Report |
|
Stadium: McKellar Park Attendance: 1,415 Referee: Georgia Ghirardello |
| 25 January 2026 14 | Wellington Phoenix | 3–1 | Adelaide United | Porirua |
| 16:00 NZDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Porirua Park Attendance: 1,070 Referee: Sarah Jones |
| 1 February 2026 15 | Newcastle Jets | 1–5 | Wellington Phoenix | Newcastle |
| 17:00 AEDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: No. 2 Sportsground Attendance: 1,102 Referee: Mikayla Ryan |
| 6 February 2026 16 | Wellington Phoenix | 1–0 | Perth Glory | Wellington |
| 16:00 NZDT |
|
Report | Stadium: Sky Stadium Attendance: 3,800 Referee: Anna-Marie Keighley |
| 15 February 2026 17 | Wellington Phoenix | 1–2 | Central Coast Mariners | Porirua |
| 16:00 NZDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Porirua Park Attendance: 1,203 Referee: Anna-Marie Keighley |
| 20 February 2026 18 | Melbourne Victory | 1–1 | Wellington Phoenix | Melbourne |
| 19:00 AEDT | Report |
|
Stadium: Home of the Matildas Attendance: 512 Referee: Mikayla Ryan |
| 14 March 2026 19 | Wellington Phoenix | 3–0 | Brisbane Roar | Wellington |
| 18:00 NZDT |
|
Report | Stadium: Hnry Stadium[note 1] Attendance: 4,169 Referee: Sarah Jones |
| 20 March 2026 20 | Sydney FC | 1–3 | Wellington Phoenix | Sydney |
| 19:00 AEDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Leichhardt Oval Referee: Sophie Allum |
| 25 March 2026[note 4] 5 | Central Coast Mariners | v | Wellington Phoenix | Gosford |
| 19:00 AEDT | Report | Stadium: Polytec Stadium |
| 29 March 2026 21 | Wellington Phoenix | v | Western Sydney Wanderers | Porirua |
| 16:00 NZDT | Report | Stadium: Porirua Park |
| 3 April 2026 22 | Adelaide United | v | Wellington Phoenix | Adelaide |
| 16:20 ACDT | Report | Stadium: Coopers Stadium |
Statistics
Appearances and goals
Includes all competitions. Players with no appearances not included in the list.
As of 21 March 2026.
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | A-League Women | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||||||||||
| Goalkeepers: | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | GK | NZL | Victoria Esson | 16 | 0 | 16 | 0 | ||||||||
| 22 | GK | NZL | Aimee Danieli | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||
| Defenders: | |||||||||||||||
| 2 | DF | NZL | CJ Bott | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||||||||
| 3 | DF | LBN | Tiana Jaber | 3 | 0 | 0+3 | 0 | ||||||||
| 4 | DF | NZL | Mackenzie Barry | 17 | 0 | 17 | 0 | ||||||||
| 5 | DF | USA | Ellie Walker | 17 | 1 | 17 | 1 | ||||||||
| 14 | DF | DOM | Lucía León | 14 | 0 | 10+4 | 0 | ||||||||
| 16 | DF | NZL | Marisa van der Meer | 16 | 2 | 16 | 2 | ||||||||
| 21 | DF | NZL | Lara Wall | 14 | 0 | 10+4 | 0 | ||||||||
| Midfielders: | |||||||||||||||
| 6 | MF | NED | Tessel Middag | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||
| 8 | MF | NZL | Macey Fraser | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | ||||||||
| 10 | MF | NZL | Alyssa Whinham | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||
| 11 | MF | NZL | Manaia Elliott | 17 | 3 | 10+7 | 3 | ||||||||
| 15 | MF | NZL | Daisy Brazendale | 16 | 0 | 2+14 | 0 | ||||||||
| 32 | MF | NZL | Emma Pijnenburg | 11 | 2 | 8+3 | 2 | ||||||||
| Forwards: | |||||||||||||||
| 7 | FW | NZL | Grace Jale | 15 | 2 | 15 | 2 | ||||||||
| 9 | FW | NEP | Sabitra Bhandari | 6 | 3 | 6 | 3 | ||||||||
| 20 | FW | NZL | Emma Main | 12 | 2 | 7+5 | 2 | ||||||||
| 23 | FW | ENG | Brooke Nunn | 17 | 5 | 17 | 5 | ||||||||
| 24 | FW | NZL | Pia Vlok | 16 | 6 | 13+3 | 6 | ||||||||
| 27 | FW | NZL | Zoe Benson | 12 | 1 | 0+12 | 1 | ||||||||
| 28 | FW | NZL | Grace Barlett | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | ||||||||
| 30 | FW | USA | Mackenzie Anthony | 7 | 1 | 2+5 | 1 | ||||||||
| 31 | FW | USA | Makala Woods | 9 | 5 | 8+1 | 5 | ||||||||
| Player(s) transferred out but featured this season: | |||||||||||||||
| 19 | MF | NZL | Olivia Ingham | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | ||||||||
- Source: Wellington Phoenix
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 March 2026.
| No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name | A-League Women | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | DF | Lucía León | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| 31 | FW | Makala Woods | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | DF | Mackenzie Barry | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | DF | Ellie Walker | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 11 | MF | Manaia Elliott | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 16 | DF | Marisa van der Meer | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | DF | CJ Bott | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 7 | FW | Grace Jale | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 23 | FW | Brooke Nunn | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 17 | 0 | 0 | |||
Clean sheets
Includes all competitions. The list is sorted by squad number when total clean sheets are equal. Goalkeepers with no clean sheets not included in the list.
As of 21 March 2026.
| Rank | No. | Nat. | Goalkeeper | A-League Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Victoria Esson | 6 | |
| Total | 6 | |||
Hat-tricks
Includes all competitions. As of 21 March 2026.
| Player | Against | Result | Date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pia Vlok | Newcastle Jets | 5–1 (A) | 1 February 2026 | [34] |
See also
Notes
- ^ a b Known as Sky Stadium from 2020 until 28 February 2026 and as Hnry Stadium from 1 March 2026 onwards.[1]
- ^ The first two years of the contract are on scholarship terms.
- ^ Signed on a youth development agreement.
- ^ Initially scheduled for 29 November 2025, the match was rescheduled to 25 March 2026 as a result of a match between Australia and New Zealand scheduled for 28 November 2025.[33]
References
- ^ "Wellington Regional Stadium to be renamed Hnry Stadium as new sponsor signs on". The New Zealand Herald. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "Wellington Phoenix hire Bev Priestman, former Canada coach who spied on Football Ferns". Radio New Zealand. 30 July 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
- ^ "Bev Priestman joins Wellington Phoenix women as head coach". The New Zealand Herald. 30 July 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
- ^ a b "FULL FIXTURE for Ninja A-League 2025-26 season released: Every match here". Australian Professional Leagues. 11 September 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ^ "Nix sign international captain". Wellington Phoenix. 10 June 2025.
- ^ "Sporting Braga defender joins the Nix". Wellington Phoenix. 12 June 2025.
- ^ "Nix sign decorated Dutch midfielder". Wellington Phoenix. 19 June 2025.
- ^ "Nix lure Ferns 'keeper back home". Wellington Phoenix. 24 June 2025.
- ^ "Proven goal scorer joins the Nix". Wellington Phoenix. 17 July 2025.
- ^ "Phoenix sign Football Ferns defender with 'big engine' on two year deal". Radio New Zealand. 1 August 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
- ^ Rollo, Phillip (1 August 2025). "Wellington Phoenix bring 50-cap Football Ferns defender CJ Bott home from England". Stuff. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
- ^ "Nix sign rising star to long-term deal". Wellington Phoenix. 5 August 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
- ^ "Van der Meer earns her place back at the Nix". Wellington Phoenix. 4 September 2025. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
- ^ Rollo, Phillip (12 September 2025). "Wellington Phoenix bring Macey Fraser home after early exit from Utah Royals". Stuff. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
- ^ Rollo, Phillip (24 October 2025). "Wellington Phoenix complete squad with signing of A-League Women champion Brooke Nunn". Stuff. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Young quartet strengthen Nix women". Wellington Phoenix. 4 December 2025.
- ^ "Wellington Phoenix sign Football Fern Emma Pijnenburg from Dutch club". Stuff. 29 December 2025. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ^ "Nix bolster women's forward line". Wellington Phoenix. 7 January 2026.
- ^ "American striker joins the Nix". Wellington Phoenix. 22 January 2026.
- ^ "Longo bids emotional farewell". Wellington Phoenix. 20 April 2025.
- ^ A-League Women [@aleaguewomen] (23 June 2025). "A "goodbye for now" from @WgtnPhoenixFC goalkeeper Carolina Vilao" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
- ^ a b c d e "Nix farewell women's visa players". Wellington Phoenix. 9 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Nix farewell foundation fullback". Wellington Phoenix. 11 July 2025.
- ^ "Lake moves on after two seasons". Wellington Phoenix. 5 September 2025. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
- ^ "Ingham joins Oceania champions". Wellington Phoenix. 18 March 2026.
- ^ "Main Train signs on for another two seasons". Wellington Phoenix. 4 July 2025.
- ^ "Barry signs on for a fifth season with the Nix". Wellington Phoenix. 9 July 2025.
- ^ "Football Fern signs on for another season". Wellington Phoenix. 16 July 2025.
- ^ "Jaber signs new multi-year deal with the Nix". Wellington Phoenix. 23 July 2025.
- ^ "Nix excited to help develop young 'keeper". Wellington Phoenix. 18 September 2025.
- ^ a b Rollo, Phillip (12 March 2026). "Wellington Phoenix lock in star duo Brooke Nunn and Makala Woods for another season". Stuff.
- ^ "Pre-season fixtures finalised". Wellington Phoenix. 24 September 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
- ^ "Women's round five fixture rescheduled". Wellington Phoenix. 4 November 2025. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
- ^ Rollo, Phillip (1 February 2026). "Pia Vlok scores Wellington Phoenix's first A-League Women hat trick in 5-1 win over Newcastle Jets". Stuff. Retrieved 2 February 2026.