Australian Championship

Australian Championship
Organising bodyFootball Australia
Founded12 February 2025; 20 months ago (2025-02-12)
First season2025
CountryAustralia
Number of clubs16
Level on pyramid2
Current championsSouth Melbourne (1st title)
(2025)
BroadcasterSpecial Broadcasting Service (SBS)
Websiteaustralianchampionship
.com.au
Current: 2026 Australian Championship

The Australian Championship is a men's soccer league in Australia involving teams in the second tier of the Australian soccer league system. Organised by Football Australia, it is held annually at the end of the second-tier National Premier Leagues (NPL) season, as a spring tournament with a sixteen-team group stage followed by a knockout stage. The competition pits eight permanent NPL clubs (known as "foundation clubs") against the eight NPL premiers from the concluding season. Its first edition took place in 2025.

The competition's focus is to improve player development and to boost the overall standing of the game in Australia, by generating new interest and revenue. There are aspirations for this competition to eventually become a stand-alone home and away league.

The winner is also awarded a direct qualification spot for the Australia Cup.

History

National Second Division

Although informally talked about for many years within the Australian football community, momentum for the idea of a national second division increased in October 2016. In March 2017 "The Association of Australian Football Clubs (AAFC) Limited" was established, with the goal of opening dialogue with Football Australia (at that time called Football Federation Australia, or FFA) and various other stakeholders about establishing a national second division. The board consisted of several members representing their respective states and was chaired by Nick Galatas. In January 2018 the AAFC released a timeline for implementation of the competition, requesting expressions of interest from clubs for participation in a competition names "The Championship".

In February 2019, the AAFC announced they were of the belief that the competition could be up and running by the 2020–21 season. On 3 June 2019 the new national second division was given the green light by FFA, paving the way for the next stage of planning and a revised start date of the 2021–22 season. On 15 September 2020, a provisional list of 35 "partner clubs" was released to the public. The official partners included National Premier League clubs from every state in Australia. In October 2020, Football Australia released the "XI Principles for the future of Australian football", also known as Vision 2035, which specifically categorised the creation of a second-tier division as part of soccer restructuring.

In a January 2021 report, the AAFC claimed that the establishment of a national second division competition would be affordable and feasible. During the development phase, the potential competition was known as the "National Second Division" (NSD) or the "National Second Tier". In May 2021, Football Australia chairman Chris Nikou declared that he was "expecting [an NSD model] to come to the Football Australia board in the second half of this year, and [would] love to see a second division up for the 2022–23 season". In late 2021, Football Australia CEO James Johnson pointing to the pandemic as a hurdle to the NSD's unavoidable progression. The NSD would feature 12 foundation clubs with plans to expand up to 16 within the first four years. Officials also considered avoiding the American-based franchise system, expressing hope that it would become more aligned to a European format which included promotion and relegation.

The Australian Championship trophy at Lakeside Stadium in 2026

In February 2022, a report titled "A Genuine National Second Division of Football in Australia" was released, funded by the Partner Clubs. AAFC believed it was time for a merit-based competition structure to be introduced, which occurs in most competitions around the world. AAFC Chairman Nick Galatas commented that "all the pieces are there for a National Second Division competition for Australian football and the time to implement is now". The original reluctance to start the tournament by 2022 was met with criticism due to a lack of detail about how the competition would function.

In 2022, Football Australia was working towards March 2024 as its preferred start date, with expressions of interest sought in February 2023. At that point a "Champions League" format was proposed by Football Australia, but opposed by the AAFC, where top teams would play in the national competition concurrently with their regional NPL league. In March 2023, the bidding phase concluded, with 32 teams having entered bids; a total of 26 teams were accepted to progress to a formal proposal, then evaluation of bids by late November 2023. The first season was to commence in March or April 2025, with teams playing a full home and away season.

After the announcement of the eight inaugural teams, Football Australia announced the Second Division would feature ten or twelve teams, with a double round-robin format (18 or 22 matches) followed by a Finals Series towards the conclusion of the regular season.

Inaugural format as a post-season competition

On 29 January 2024, Football Australia announced that the final selection process for the final clubs had begun with 24 undisclosed teams, with the first season of the competition as a post-season competition for the selected NPL clubs in October 2025,

In February 2025 announced the competition would be named the "Australian Championship".

Although the competition is not yet separate from the NPL structure (teams in the Australian Championship still play in the following season's NPL competitions), there are aspirations for this competition to eventually become a stand-alone home and away league if the current format proves to be sustainable.

Format

The current format of the competition consists of 16 teams, running from October to December each year. The 16 teams include eight "Foundation Clubs" and eight other National Premier Leagues clubs (who qualified as the regular-season premiers of their respective NPL competitions). In the group stage, teams are divided into four groups of four. Groups are played as a double round robin (six matches per team) with the top-two teams in each group advancing. The knockout stage consists of three rounds with single leg matchups, with the semi-final and final venues selected by Football Australia.

Clubs

Foundation clubs

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30km
19miles
Wollongong Wolves FC
Wollongong Wolves FC
APIA Leichhardt FC
APIA Leichhardt FC
Sydney United 58 FC
Sydney United 58 FC
Marconi Stallions FC
Marconi Stallions FC
Sydney Olympic FC
Sydney Olympic FC
Locations of foundation clubs in Sydney (top) and Wollongong (bottom).
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7km
4.3miles
South Melbourne FC
South Melbourne FC
Preston Lions FC
Preston Lions FC
Avondale FC
Avondale FC
Locations of foundation clubs in Melbourne.

It was announced in November 2023 that eight teams had been selected as foundation clubs for the inaugural Second Division.

List of foundation clubs
Team City Home ground Cap. First
Avondale FC MelbourneAvenger Park2,5002025
Marconi Stallions SydneyMarconi Stadium9,0002025
Preston Lions MelbourneB.T. Connor Reserve9,0002025
South Melbourne MelbourneLakeside Stadium12,0002025
Sydney Olympic SydneySydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre5,0002025
Sydney United 58 SydneySydney United Sports Centre12,0002025
Wests APIA SydneyLambert Park7,0002025
Wollongong Wolves WollongongMacedonia Park, Berkeley5,0002025

Other applicants

Teams that passed the technical elements of the formal Request for Proposal process, after submitting expressions of interest to join were:

Former or withdrawn bids

The selection processes of Football Australia were criticised by teams that did not progress after the formal Expressions of Interest period, including Blacktown City and Peninsula Power .

Broadcasting

On 18 September 2025, Football Australia announced a partnership with SBS to broadcast all matches live and free in Australia across SBS, SBS2, and SBS On Demand. 17 of 55 matches are broadcast on terrestrial television (SBS and SBS2) with all matches available for streaming on SBS On Demand. Additionally, the final stages of the competition will be broadcast via PacificAus TV in the Pacific Islands region.

Corporate relations

Sponsorship

The official ball supplier is Mitre Sports International.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ The Brisbane United merger initially comprised the Brisbane Strikers, Virginia United and Wynnum Wolves teams.
  2. ↑ The Football SA merger consisted of the Campbelltown City, North Eastern MetroStars and West Torrens Birkalla teams.
  3. 1 2 3 Did not pass the technical elements of the formal Request for Proposal process.

References

  1. ↑ "In a Nutshell". The Championship. Archived from the original on 11 January 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Australian Championship FAQs". Football Australia. Retrieved 26 September 2026. A standalone home and away league remains a key strategic goal. Once minimum thresholds are achieved, Football Australia aims to expand and evolve the competition format further.
  3. ↑ Weiner, David (27 January 2026). "New Zealand teams axed from Australia Cup in major change for 2026 knockout competition". football360.com.au. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  4. ↑ "A-League expansion, promotion and relegation, Northern Fury FC chairman Rabieh Krayem puts forward proposal". 19 October 2016.
  5. ↑ "History". Association Of Australian Football Clubs (AAFC). 10 January 2018. Archived from the original on 21 March 2025.
  6. ↑ "Timeline". The Championship. Archived from the original on 11 January 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  7. ↑ "AAFC '100% confident' of second division by 2020". FTBL.
  8. ↑ Dale Lewis (3 June 2016). "FFA backs second division as clubs chase pathway to main stage". SBS The World Game. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  9. ↑ AAFC (15 September 2020). "Partner Group expands to 35". AAFC. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  10. ↑ "XI Principles For The Future of Australian Football | Football Australia". www.footballaustralia.com.au. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  11. ↑ AAFC (15 January 2021). "National Second Division (NSD) Competition Is Affordable and Feasible". AAFC. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  12. ↑ Joey Lynch (30 July 2021). "Football Australia adds national second tier to football pyramid in calendar restructure". ESPN. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  13. ↑ Bill Hedley (6 December 2021). "Why the A-Leagues need promotion and relegation". thefootballsack.com.au. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  14. ↑ "'Final model': Major A-League second division meeting set for June". FTBL. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  15. ↑ "FA adds second tier to Australia's football pyramid". ESPN. 29 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  16. ↑ Murray, Tara (23 February 2022). "Single national second tier competition proposed". Star Weekly. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  17. ↑ AAFC (22 February 2022). "a Genuine National Second Division of Football in Australia, Final Report of the NSD Partner Group of Clubs" (PDF). AAFC. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  18. ↑ Charles Goodsir (9 March 2022). "FOOTBALL CLUBS ARE "READY TO GO" FOR NATIONAL SECOND DIVISION". sen.com.au. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  19. ↑ "Quit stalling – it's time to start a National Second Division".
  20. ↑ Joey Lynch (23 November 2022). "James Johnson confirms March 2024 as 'target date' for national second division". ESPN. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  21. ↑ Football Australia (3 February 2023). "Football Australia opens expressions of interest for National Second Tier Men's Competition". www.footballaustralia.com.au. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  22. ↑ "NPL 'Champions League' format likely to be initial second division structure". The Roar. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  23. ↑ Chalk, Ethan Lee (20 November 2023). "Football Australia aiming to introduce 'Champions League' format for 2024 NPL season". The Inner Sanctum. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  24. ↑ "National Second Tier application process advances to final phase | Football Australia". www.footballaustralia.com.au. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  25. ↑ "Football Australia moves into Request for Proposal phase of the National Second Tier process". Football Australia. 21 June 2023.
  26. 1 2 "Football Australia announces foundation clubs for National Second Tier". Football Australia. 20 November 2023.
  27. ↑ "Football Australia commences process for selection of additional National Second Tier clubs | Football Australia". www.footballaustralia.com.au. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  28. ↑ Rugari, Vince (31 October 2024). "Football Australia will launch a national second division in 2025. Here's what you need to know". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 12 February 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  29. ↑ Snape, Jack (20 November 2023). "'A transformative step': Football Australia reveals eight national second division clubs". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 January 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  30. ↑ "'Landmark moment': FA firm up key details as National Second Tier set to begin in 2025". www.theroar.com.au. 31 October 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  31. 1 2 "Football Australia unveils new format and start date for National Second Tier competition". www.footballaustralia.com.au. 31 October 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  32. ↑ Lynch, Joey (12 February 2025). "Everything you need to know about the Australian Championship". ESPN. Archived from the original on 12 February 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  33. ↑ "Australian Championship Semi Final Match Schedule Confirmed". Football Australia. 24 November 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
  34. 1 2 3 @AAFClubs (3 March 2023). "NEW NATIONAL SECOND TIER EXPRESSION OF INTERESTS ARE IN!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  35. ↑ "South Hobart FC is pleased to announce that we have submitted our expression of interest in joining the National Second Tier today". Facebook. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  36. ↑ "Sunshine Coast FC Fire can confirm that we have uploaded all of our material to the 'Data Room' as part of the RFP process to Football Australia for the next phase of the National Second Tier". Facebook. Sunshine Coast Fire.
  37. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 @joeylynchy (6 March 2023). "@FootballAUS has revealed the parties that lodged EOIs for a new National Second Tier. 32 total EOIs were lodged" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  38. ↑ "Brisbane City Football Club on Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  39. ↑ "Brisbane United submits NST EOI to Football Australia". Brisbane United FC. 3 March 2023. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  40. ↑ "Canberra Croatia Football Club on Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  41. ↑ Bourke, Malcolm (22 November 2023). "A 12 team NST? Why Australian football needs to trust the process, and what four more teams could look like". The Roar. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  42. ↑ Gold Coast Knights FC [@gcknightsfc] (20 February 2023). "Gold Coast Knights wishes to confirm that the club has submitted an Expression of Interest for Football Australia's National Second Division. The club will provide further updates as the application process progresses. https://t.co/ZLHjOTruOP" (Tweet). Retrieved 23 February 2023 – via Twitter.
  43. ↑ "GUFC on Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  44. ↑ "Heidelberg United FC address reasons for not proceeding in National Second Tier competition". neoskosmos.com. 24 November 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  45. ↑ "Knights eye National Second Tier after $2m Stadium investment". www.melbourneknights.com.au. February 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  46. ↑ Olympic FC [@Olympic_FC] (21 February 2023). "Olympic FC is pleased to announce that the club has tendered an Expression of Interest in joining the new National Second Division. As this will be an ongoing process we will endeavour to keep club members informed of the progress of our application. https://t.co/lrqkyJeoZ5" (Tweet). Retrieved 23 February 2023 – via Twitter.
  47. ↑ "Peninsula Power FC on Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  48. ↑ Rockdale Ilinden FC [@RockdaleIlinden] (23 February 2023). "NATIONAL SECOND TIER CONFIRMING that we have submitted our EOI and are now working through our detailed application. #ilinden #iamredandblack https://t.co/FAJvWhwqWG" (Tweet). Retrieved 23 February 2023 – via Twitter.
  49. ↑ Tilt, Fergus (11 May 2023). "OFFICIAL BOARD STATEMENT". Blacktown City FC. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  50. ↑ "Peninsula Power FC Club Statement Re NSD EOI". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  51. ↑ "Football fans to watch the inaugural Australian Championship LIVE on SBS". SBS Sport. 18 September 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  52. ↑ "Football Australia and PacificAus TV extend partnership | Football Australia". footballaustralia.com.au. 3 September 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  53. ↑ https://australianchampionship.com.au/news/australian-championship-unveils-official-match-ball-mitre