The Football Federation of Australia (FFA) kept the fixtures for the A-League 2013/14 season much the same, and decided to make round 1 very memorable, with a grand final rematch and a Melbourne Derby.
In October, Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets will start proceedings on the Friday, but it will be Central Coast Mariners and Western Sydney Wanderers grand final rematch that will draw big crowds.
At the same time, Melbourne Victory and Melbourne Heart will be battling it out just like last year to sell-out crowds in Melbourne.
The Derbies made for some of the best matches in the last season and the FFA has certainly harnessed the rivalry to put bums on seats.
SBS for the first time will start screening free to air A-League matches on Friday hoping to increase the Soccer following. The matches will be up against AFL and NRL on the screen, so it’s up to SBS and the FFA to try and schedule some blockbuster matches to take a share in viewership.
The new fixture also sees games on Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and Australia Day with and as per usual – three Sydney Derbies and three Melbourne Derbies.
Four of Victory’s final five matches are on the road meaning if they keep their top position like last season, they could be disadvantaged. Adelaide open at Perth, return home to host Victory in Round 2, then go on the road to play Central Coast and Western Sydney.
