The competition, which is set to get underway in November, will feature 12 teams and be split into two regional groups for the first time.
National Soccer League chairman Isaac Lupari said the conference system would eliminate most of the travel costs for teams through the group stages, and make the competition more sustainable in the long term.
“The NSL board has made the decision to split the competition in the regular season because of several factors, but mainly to help the teams financially,” Lupari says.
“We want football to grow but at the same time we have to think about the costs to the teams.
“Having the conferences will ease the burden on teams, especially in relation to travel and accommodation.
“We want teams to be here for the long haul, and making these changes is the only way we can bring football to the next level.”
Each conference will be made up of six teams, with the top two from each advancing to the national league competition where they will play home and away legs to determine who will contest the final.
PNGFA competitions manager Simon Koima said the high participation numbers for this year are a sign that playing stocks in Papua New Guinea are improving.
“It is very pleasing to have 12 teams enter the NSL, it shows football is moving ahead in Papua New Guinea and it will only add to the quality of the competition,” Koima says.
“In particular the community is getting behind football more in the highlands region now, which traditionally has been known as the home of rugby in PNG.”
NSL northern conference: Admiralty, Goroka, Besta United, Lae City Dwellers, Morobe United, Madang.
NSL southern conference: Gigira Laitepo, FC Port Moresby, PS Huawei, Hekari, Erema, Rapatona.
For more on Papua New Guinea football visit www.pngfootball.com.pg

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