Football Australia has confirmed the group stage draw for the inaugural Australian Championship including two blockbuster opening round fixtures set to launch a bold new chapter for Australian football in October.
South Melbourne FC and Sydney Olympic FC will renew one of the game’s most iconic rivalries when they meet at Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne to launch the Championship. With proud histories, passionate supporters and many unforgettable NSL battles this clash between two Foundation Clubs is a fitting way to kick-start the competition.
The following day, another storied Foundation Club, Preston Lions FC, will host the reigning NPL NSW Premiers at BT Connor Reserve, Melbourne. Backed by decades of tradition and one of the most loyal fan bases in the country, Preston’s clash with the top-performing state champion promises to continue the strong start with another high-quality encounter.
Two feature matches will be played across each group stage round, on a Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Remaining matches are scheduled to be played consecutively on a Sunday across two provisional match start times of 2:00pm AEST and 5:00pm AEST.
Opening Fixtures
- Friday, 10 October – South Melbourne FC v Sydney Olympic FC at Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne
- Saturday, 11 October – Preston Lions FC v NPL Premier (NSW) at BT Connor Reserve, Melbourne
Round two feature matches will showcase NSW-based Foundation Clubs. Apia Leichhardt FC hosts Sydney United FC at Leichhardt Oval on Friday, 17 October in what promises to be a fierce battle for 3 points, and Wollongong Wolves FC will return home to WIN Stadium and face the reigning NPL VIC Premiers on Saturday, 18 October.
The Australian Championship will bring together 16 teams in a dynamic and sustainable format, featuring eight Foundation Clubs and eight invited NPL champions from the National Premier Leagues (NPL). This innovative format bridges state-based competitions with the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s pathway, helping reshape the national football pyramid and unlock new opportunities for clubs and players.
Four seeded Foundation Clubs including South Melbourne FC (Group A), Marconi Stallions FC (Group B), Avondale FC (Group C) and APIA Leichhardt FC (Group D), will be joined by the remaining Foundation Clubs and top-performing teams from each NPL division to create four balanced and equal groups.
Following six rounds of group stage matches, the top two teams from each group will advance to a knockout Finals Series, culminating in the Championship Final in early December. This structure has been designed to ensure the competition model is sustainable while maintaining a high degree of competitive integrity and commercial appeal.
Football Australia Chief Executive Officer, James Johnson, said, “The Australian Championship is an exciting new annual tournament bringing together Foundation Clubs with their rich histories and top-performing NPL Clubs to showcase their talents and culture to our growing national football audience.”
“The Australian Championship will bring a sense of nostalgia to our football community. Genuine rivalries will be on full display to supporters of all generations, and new stories will be created on and off the field,” Mr Johnson added.
“Football supporters across the country will get a taste for what our national competitions will look like in years to come, enriched with talented state-based players and aspirational Foundation Clubs.
“The Australian Championship draw strikes the perfect balance with groups made up equally of Foundation Clubs and NPL Champions, delivering a rare combination of unpredictable interstate clashes and traditional historic rivalries.
“We can expect big crowds for the opening round matches, and excitement will continue to build throughout the tournament with must-win matches played across the group stage draw. The inaugural winners of the Australian Championship will also need to navigate their way through a highly competitive knockout finals series before being crowned Champions.
“We encourage fans to visit their local clubs and experience the excitement of the Australian Championship and witness the talent and clubs of tomorrow.”
Group Stage Draw
- Group A: South Melbourne FC, Sydney Olympic FC, NPL Premier (Football QLD), NPL Premier (NNSW Football)
- Group B: Marconi Stallions FC, Wollongong Wolves FC, NPL Premier (Football VIC), NPL Premier (Football TAS)
- Group C: Avondale FC, Preston Lions FC, NPL Premier (Football NSW), NPL Premier (Capital Football)
- Group D: APIA Leichhardt FC, Sydney United 58 FC, NPL Premier (Football SA), NPL Premier (Football WA)
Knockout Finals Series
The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, with the higher placed team hosting each crossover encounter:
- Quarter Finals: A1 v C2, B1 v D2, C1 v A2, D1 v B2
- Semi Finals & Grand Final: All matches to be staged at a neutral venue, culminating in the Championship Final on either 6 or 7 December 2025.
Football fans are encouraged to follow the NPL competitions and Hahn Australia Cup around the country throughout the 2025 season to get a glimpse of the talent and rivalries set to feature in the Australian Championship.
Further announcements, including fixtures, participating NPL teams, broadcast details and commercial partnerships will be made in the lead-up to the competition’s historic debut on Friday, 10 October 2025.
