Football Australia and SBS today announced a landmark multi-year, multi-platform agreement to broadcast the inaugural Australian Championship on SBS, SBS On Demand and SBS VICELAND, delivering every moment live and free to fans across the nation.
The historic agreement makes SBS the exclusive linear television home of the Australian Championship for at least the next two years, showcasing 18 matches on Free to Air Television and live and free on SBS On Demand from the Group Stage through to the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, and Grand Final.
This broadcast commitment is supported by a package of marketing benefits that will enhance the fan experience and grow the reach of the Australian Championship.
Fans will be able to follow the innovative competition format with every Saturday match – totalling 12 games – plus knockout fixtures from two Quarter-Finals, both Semi-Finals and Grand Final, broadcast free-to-air on SBS’ primary channel, providing unmatched access to the next era of Australian football.
The ‘Super Saturday’ double-headers will feature two back-to-back matches kicking off at 1.00pm and 3.00pm AEDT every weekend.
The highly anticipated opening match between South Melbourne FC and Sydney Olympic FC on Friday 10 October will also be broadcast on linear, live and free on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand, ensuring visibility and excitement around this historic match.
In addition to its free to air broadcast commitments, SBS will be delivering additional innovative content for fans, including multi-lingual podcasts each week of the competition and regular news features. More details will be announced by SBS and Football Australia ahead of the opening round.
This partnership announcement follows the news that five matches from the Australian Championship (two Quarter Finals, two Semi Finals and the Final) will be broadcast live and free into the Pacific Islands via Football Australia’s partnership with Pacific Aus TV.
Key broadcast highlights:
- SBS will be the exclusive free-to-air broadcast partner of the Australian Championship for the next two years with an option to extend.
- All fixtures streamed live and free on SBS Live and SBS On Demand, ensuring fans never miss a minute of the action.
- 17 of 55 matches broadcast live and free-to-air; commencing with ‘Super Saturday’ double header matches plus access to Finals Series matches televised nationally on SBS, bringing quality football content into millions of homes.
- The much-anticipated opening match between South Melbourne FC and Sydney Olympic FC broadcast free-to air on SBS VICELAND, setting the stage for a highly competitive and unpredictable inaugural season.
- The Championship Final will be played on Saturday 6 December at 3:00pm AEDT, following coverage of the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026 Final Draw which will be broadcast on SBS.
Football Australia Interim Chief Executive Officer Heather Garriock said, “Our partnership with SBS is a landmark moment for Australian football and the Australian Championship.”
“Accessibility sits at the heart of this agreement. Whether you’re watching on free-to-air television or streaming on SBS On Demand, every fan—from the city to our local football communities—can experience the very best of the Australian Championship through our Super Saturday format,” Garriock added.
“The historic opening clash between South Melbourne FC and Sydney Olympic FC is a fitting way to launch this competition—two iconic clubs, a national audience, and the country watching via VICELAND. It’s going to be a blockbuster start to the next era of Australian football.
“SBS shares our passion for uniting the game and our commitment to making it accessible to everyone. Together, we’re not just broadcasting matches—we’re building a national platform that celebrates Australian football’s storied past whilst also investing in future generations.”
SBS Director of Sport, Ken Shipp, said, “As the spiritual home of football in Australia, SBS is the natural home for the Australian Championship, an aspirational competition that will create a pathway for many of Australia’s brightest young players from the sport’s grassroots to the highest-level competition in the land, the Isuzu UTE A-league Men’s competition.”
“SBS’s football offering now includes compelling competitions at every level and for every fan – including, of course, the FIFA World Cup 2026ᵀᴹ,” Shipp added.
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.
Further announcements, including commercial partnerships and the official Season Launch will be made in the lead-up to the competition’s historic debut on Friday, 10 October 2025.
