Matchups Confirmed for 2025 Kate Sheppard Cup First Round

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (April 29, 2025) — The road to New Zealand football’s most coveted women’s trophy is officially underway. NZ Football has announced the first-round draw for the 2025 Kate Sheppard Cup, with fixtures scheduled to take place over the weekend of May 9–11.

The annual tournament, named in honor of the suffrage pioneer, brings together teams from across the country in a single-elimination format that consistently delivers drama, development opportunities, and the rise of emerging talent.

Northern Region Highlights

A competitive field in the Northern region will feature:

• Onehunga Mangere United hosting West Auckland in a local showdown.

• Bay Olympic meet Cambridge, while Uni-Mount Bohemians take on East Coast Bays.

• Franklin United square off against Waikato Unicol, and Te Awamutu battle Lakes FC.

Meanwhile, Northern Rovers will face off with Onehunga Sports, and Whakatane Town welcome Papakura City.

All Lotto NRFL Women’s Premiership clubs—eight in total—receive a first-round bye, alongside Birkenhead United.

Central/Capital Region Fixtures

The Central region features several key fixtures:

• Palmerston North Marist host Taradale in a Manawatu-Hawke’s Bay clash.

• Wellington United will meet Petone, while North Wellington line up against Upper Hutt City.

• Te Kotahitanga takes on Seatoun in a matchup of ambitious lower-tier sides.

Byes have been granted to Wellington Phoenix Academy, Victoria University, Waterside Karori, and Miramar Rangers—all strong contenders expected to make deep runs.

South Island Contests

In the South Island, the competition heats up early:

• Richmond face Nelson Suburbs in a top-of-the-south rivalry.

• Coastal Spirit, a tournament stalwart, are paired against Selwyn United.

• UC Football go head-to-head with Cashmere Technical, while Halswell United host Ferrymead Bays.

Green Island meet Dunedin City Royals, and AFC Northern take on Queens Park.

First-round byes have been awarded to Roslyn Wakari and Otago University.

Now in its 31st edition, the Kate Sheppard Cup remains a cornerstone of women’s football in New Zealand — celebrating regional pride, grassroots development, and elite ambition. With the opening round on the horizon, fans across Aotearoa are gearing up for another unforgettable chapter in the country’s premier women’s cup competition.

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