More Kiwis than ever are playing football according to New Zealand Football’s 2025’s participation statistics, with more than 180,000 players registered to play last year.

Football continues to be the biggest team participation sport in Aotearoa New Zealand, according to Sport NZ’s most recent Active NZ Participation Survey.

Nearly 148,500 players took part in New Zealand Football organised football and futsal in 2025, a 3% growth in football and an 11% rise in futsal from 2024.

Adding to that, more than 34,000 players also played through New Zealand Secondary Schools. 

Girls and women’s football continues to go from strength to strength after the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, with a 35% increase in female football and futsal players since 2022.

There’s has also been significant growth for under-represented ethnicities, with participation among Māori up 9% compared to 2024.

The biggest rise was in Asian participation compared to 2024, increasing by more than 10%, while participation in football by Pasifika increased 7%.

In total, that means a 9% jump in Māori, Pasifika, and Asian football players in Aotearoa New Zealand.

It’s not just on the field where growth in football is being seen but also on the sidelines, with Kiwis also taking up coaching.

More than 3,200 people took part in New Zealand Football coaching courses in 2025:

• 25% increase compared to 2024.
• 23% increase participation in community courses.
• 36% increase participation in advanced courses.
• 57% increase in female participants.
• 80% increase in Asian, Māori, and Pacific participants.
   

New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell said:

“Aotearoa New Zealand continues to show it is indeed a footballing nation, and it’s proven through the participation statistics in 2025.

“With the All Whites competing at the FIFA World Cup 2026, this year represents a massive opportunity to inspire more Kiwis to pick up the sport and join their local club.

“We’ve seen the power of football through major tournaments already, with the women’s game still blossoming through the legacy project established following the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 on home soil.

“It’s important to note this sport wouldn’t be possible without the thousands of coaches and volunteers who make the games throughout the motu possible.

“It’s great to see more and more Kiwis are taking up coaching, it’s an area we want to continue to grow.

“These numbers show we’re on the right path towards accomplishing our key outcomes in New Zealand Football’s 2035 strategy, which includes football becoming the most inclusive sport in Aotearoa New Zealand, thriving participation driven by high quality experiences, inspiring performances through connected pathways, growing fans and growing revenue while ensuring financial sustainability.”
 

Article added: Friday 30 January 2026