Wellington Phoenix Women's Football Club is a professional women's football club based in Wellington, New Zealand. The Phoenix competes in the Australian premier women's soccer competition A-League Women, under licence from Football Federation Australia and New Zealand Football.
Contents
History
Establishment
For several years, there have been talks concerning the creation of a professional women's football team in New Zealand so as to boost the level of women's football in New Zealand and Oceania with the cost of travelling to away games a major barrier. There were no professional clubs in New Zealand and the National League only featured amateur teams.
The talks intensified after New Zealand won the rights to co-host the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and the W-League plans to add three more expansion teams by that time.
In September 2021, Phoenix announced they were one of the clubs in consideration under the W-League expansion and later confirmed creating a women's team.
Inaugural season
On 11 October 2021, Wellington Phoenix announced Gemma Lewis would be the inaugural head coach of the side. They also announced that Natalie Lawrence would be her assistant for the 2021–22 season, making them one of two all-female coaching staffs in the A-League Women. A few days later, they announced former Perth Glory keeper and 2020–21 players’ player of the year, Lily Alfeld as the club's inaugural signing. Alfeld was later announced as the club's inaugural captain.
Phoenix played their home games at Wollongong with the hope of returning to their home stadium in Wellington later in the season. Wellington Phoenix started their debut season in the A-League in the 2021–22 season with a 0–0 draw against Western Sydney Wanderers at the Wollongong Showgrounds.
Ava Pritchard scored the club's first goal in their second game of the season, in a 1–5 loss to Newcastle Jets.
On 11 February 2022, the Phoenix achieved their first win in A-League Women history in a 3–0 away win against Canberra United. The Phoenix finished in last place in their first season.
Second, third, and fourth seasons
In the 2022–23 season, the Phoenix finished in last place although they finished the season with three wins and four draws.
In the 2023–24 season, Wellington achieved nine wins and one draw, and for the first time did not finish in last position, by finishing eighth. Venezueluan Mariana Speckmaier scored a club record 10 goals in a regular season.
During the 2024–25 season, the Phoenix finished in ninth position following seven wins and three draws.
Fifth season: Grand finalists
In April 2025, ahead of the 2025–26 season, Football Fern Annalie Longo announced her retirement from professional football. Dominican international Lucía León, American Ellie Walker, Dutch international Tessel Middag, Nepalese international Sabitra Bhandari, and Englishwoman Brooke Nunn were signed as the club's foreign players for the season.
On 30 July 2025, the Phoenix signed former Canada national team coach Bev Priestman as head coach on a 2-year contract. That same month four players' contracts, those of Emma Main, Mackenzie Barry, Grace Jale, and Tiana Jaber, were renewed. During the regular season the Phoenix commenced their first three matches undefeated after two draws and one win. In the second match, a 1–1 draw with the Newcastle Jets, both Middag and Alyssa Whinham suffered season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. On 20 December, the Phoenix defeated Sydney FC by a club record 7–0 at Jerry Collins Stadium, Porirua. From 17 January to 6 February 2026, Wellington achieved four consecutive victories, including a 5–1 away win against the Jets on 1 February wherein Pia Vlok scored the club's first ever A-League Women hattrick. The Phoenix ended the regular season in second place, their highest ever position on the table.
Following a 3–2 aggregate (two-legged tie) win against the Brisbane Roar in the semifinal, with American Makala Woods scoring two goals in the return leg at Jerry Collins Stadium on 10 May, Wellington became the first ever New Zealand club to qualify for an A-Leagues grand final.
On 16 May, the Phoenix faced Melbourne City in the 2026 grand final at AAMI Park in Melbourne. Following a dominant first half from City and a brace from Holly McNamara, the hosts entered halftime with a 2–0 lead. Shortly into the second half, City's Leticia McKenna scored a long range effort. Makala Woods scored one goal to make the scoreline 3–1. Wellington were unable to capitalise further despite a period of dominance, with the score ending 3–1 to Melbourne City. Priestman praised the team's season performance despite the falter at the final, and she stated the club will come back stronger in the 2026–27 season, with investment into young players such as Vlok and the return of players such as CJ Bott and Bhandari.
Players
First-team squad
As of 26 August 2026.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Management team
Technical staff
As of 2 January 2026
Records and statistics
Record Win: 7–0 vs Sydney FC, A-League Women, 20 December 2025
Record Defeat: 0–5 vs Sydney FC, A-League Women, 30 December 2021
Record High Attendance: 5,923, vs Brisbane Roar at Porirua Park, Porirua, 10 May 2026 (A-League Women)
Most Goals by a Player in a Game: 3
Pia Vlok vs Newcastle Jets, A-League Women, 1 February 2026
Most Wins in a Row: 4 matches, from 17 January 2026 to 6 February 2026
Most Losses in a Row: 9 matches, from 10 December 2021 to 4 February 2022
Longest Undefeated Streak: 4 matches, from 22 November 2024 to 21 December 2024; from 17 January 2026 to 6 February 2026
Most Goals In a Regular season: Mariana Speckmaier – 10 goals, 2023–24 A-League Women
Most appearances
As of end of 2025–26 season.
Competitive, professional matches only. All current players are in bold.
Top goalscorers
As of end of 2025–26 season.
Competitive, professional matches only, appearances including substitutes appear in brackets.