The fixture list for the regional phase of the third season of New Zealand Football's National League has been finalised.
The 312-match schedule for the Northern League, Central League and Southern League was released by New Zealand Football (NZF) on Friday, with the season underway in three weeks.
Three-time defending Northern League champions Auckland City and Auckland United will kick-off the season on Friday, March 22 in a night-time clash at Keith Hay Park, with five matches the next day.
The Southern League will begin with a full slate of night matches on Thursday, March 28, with champions Christchurch United hosting Nomads United at Christchurch Football Centre.
The Central League will open on Saturday, March 30 with four matches, while Wellington Olympic will start their regional and National League title defence at Napier City Rovers the following day.
City and Eastern Suburbs did not suffer a loss in the 2023 Northern League. They meet in Round 2 on March 29 and Round 13 on June 22.
United and Cashmere Technical, who were neck-and-neck all season in last year's Southern League, continue their rivalry in Round 9 on June 8 and Round 18 on September 1.
The Wellington Phoenix Reserves will play five midweek matches throughout the season, allowing them to play their last league match on July 14 and be involved in the club's top-flight team's preseason.
The top sides from each regional league (four from the Northern League, four from the Central League and two from the Southern League) qualify for spring's National League Championship.
2024 will see select games from the National League regional phase broadcast on the FIFA+ streaming platform for the first time.
