National Second Tier beckons: NPL champions to battle for spot

A new era for the National Premier Leagues (NPL) begins this week as the 2025 Men’s competition kicks off with a place in the inaugural National Second Tier (NST) competition up for grabs. 

As previously announced by Football Australia, eight invitational clubs comprised of the Member Federation NPL State Premiers* from their respective 2025 domestic seasons, will join the eight NST foundation clubs in a ‘Champions League’ format, kicking off on 10 October 2025.

The NPL Premiers will secure their place in the national competition based on sporting merit, which will further elevate the NPL and provide added excitement amongst the local football community. 

In line with the 2024/25 Domestic Match Calendar (DMC), the opening round will see Football VIC’s Melbourne Knights FC take on Heidelberg United FC at Tompsett Stadium on Thursday, 6 February  (7:30pm AEDT) in the first NPL match of the new season. 

The following day, Football NSW will commence its NPL Men’s season as Manly United FC host Central  Coast Mariners FC at Cromer Park on Friday, 7 February (7:30pm AEDT). 

Thursday, 13 February will see NNSW Football get underway, when Belmont Swansea United FC face Adamstown Rosebud FC at Blacksmiths Oval (7:45pm AEDT). 

Friday, 21 February marks the commencement of the NPL Men’s Competitions for Football SA and Football QLD, with Campbelltown City SC facing MetroStars SC at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre (8.00pm AEDT), and Gold Coast Knights FC taking on Lions FC at Croatian Sports Centre (8:30pm AEDT) 

Football TAS will commence their season with a double-header on Friday, 14 March (8.15pm AEDT) as  Glenorchy Knights FC face Clarence Zebras FC at KGV Park and Launceston FC take on Launceston United FC at Prospect Park (8.15pm AEDT). 

Football West will also start their league on Friday, March 14 when Bayswater City SC and Sorrento FC play  at Frank Drago Reserve (10.15pm AEDT), while Capital Football kick-off on Saturday, 5 April with fixtures to  be confirmed. 

The NPL Women’s Competition will be led by Football QLD, as Sunshine Coast Wanderers FC take on  Gold Coast United FC at Ballinger Park on Saturday, 8 February (6.00pm AEDT). 

NNSW Football will kick off their NPL Women’s season on Saturday, 15 February, with New Lambton FC  facing Charlestown Azzurri FC at Alder Park (6.00pm AEDT). 

Football NSW will follow with a packed opening round of NPL Women’s on Sunday, 9 March, featuring  seven fixtures across the state, with a 2024 Grand Final rematch between Macarthur Rams FC and APIA  Leichhardt FC at Lynwood Park (5.00pm AEDT) the highlight. 

Football SA get underway on Friday, 7 March with four matches featuring a clash between Adelaide  University FC and Adelaide City FC (6.45pm AEDT) at Service FM Stadium before Football VIC commences  on Friday, 14 March with two matches across the state including Bentleigh Greens SC v South Melbourne  FC at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex (6.15pm AEDT). 

Football West will begin their NPL Women’s competition on Saturday, 22 March with a match at Dorrien  Gardens Trinca Field between Perth SC and Fremantle City FC (8.00pm AEDT), while Capital Football kick off on Saturday, 5 April with fixtures to be confirmed. 

For all fixtures, results, and streaming information, please visit the respective Member Federation’s website.

NPL Men’s Start Dates: 

NPL Women’s Start Dates:

*This does not include Football NT as they do not participate in an NPL Competition.