Australian Championship Draw Revealed: Capital Football Faces Victorian Double

Excerpt: Capital Football’s NPL Premiers will travel twice to Victoria and once to NSW in the inaugural Australian Championship, facing Avondale FC, Preston Lions, and the NSW NPL Premiers. The competition, launching in October 2025, features 16 teams, including eight Foundation Clubs, in a dynamic group stage leading to a knockout finals series.

Football Australia unveiled the group stage draw for the inaugural Australian Championship on May 1, 2025, setting the stage for a historic competition that will kick off in October. Capital Football’s NPL Premiers will face a challenging schedule, with trips to Victoria to play Avondale FC and Preston Lions and a match against the NSW NPL Premiers.

The Championship opens with two high-profile clashes. On Friday, October 10, South Melbourne FC and Sydney Olympic FC, two Foundation Clubs with a storied NSL rivalry, will face off at Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne. The next day, Preston Lions FC, another Foundation Club with a passionate fanbase, hosts the NSW NPL Premiers at BT Connor Reserve, Melbourne, promising a thrilling encounter.

Match Schedule

Each group stage round features two marquee matches: a Friday evening and a Saturday afternoon fixture, with the remaining games played on Sundays at 2:00 PM or 5:00 PM AEST. Round two highlights include Apia Leichhardt FC versus Sydney United 58 FC at Leichhardt Oval on October 17, and Wollongong Wolves FC hosting the NPL VIC Premiers at WIN Stadium on October 18.

Competition Format

The Australian Championship unites 16 teams—eight Foundation Clubs and eight NPL Premiers—in four balanced groups. Seeded Foundation Clubs include South Melbourne FC (Group A), Marconi Stallions FC (Group B), Avondale FC (Group C), and APIA Leichhardt FC (Group D). The format integrates state-based NPL competitions with the A-League Men’s pathway, fostering a sustainable national football pyramid.

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)

After six group stage rounds, the top two teams from each group advance to a knockout Finals Series. Quarterfinals pair higher-placed teams against lower-placed opponents from other groups (A1 vs. C2, B1 vs. D2, C1 vs. A2, D1 vs. B2), with hosts determined by group ranking. Semifinals and the Championship Final, set for December 6 or 7, 2025, will be played at a neutral venue.

This innovative structure ensures competitive integrity, commercial viability, and new opportunities for clubs and players, marking a bold step forward for Australian football.