The National Second Tier has officially gained its name as Football Australia unveiled today the much –anticipated competition as the Australian Championship.
The NST is set to commence its maiden edition this coming October after years of work getting it off the ground, and one of its final steps have now been accomplished with it receiving its official name.
The Australian Championship will kickstart a new era for football in the country, serving as a new national platform for the non-A-League sides to showcase their quality.
The competition will feature 16 teams, mixing eight foundation clubs (among which are South Melbourne and Sydney Olympic) with eight Member Federation Invitational Clubs selected from the National Premier Leagues (NPL).
The eight Member Federation NPL Clubs will be drawn from their respective NPL competitions across Capital Football, Football Queensland, Football NSW, Football South Australia, Football Tasmania, Football Victoria, Football West and Northern NSW Football.
Football Australia CEO James Johnson stated the Australian Championship is a big leap forward for the sport in the country.
“The Australian Championship is much more than a competition – it’s a national celebration of football; uniting proud historic clubs, emerging talent, and inter-generational community connection,” Johnson said in an official announcement.
“This competition will complement the A-League, NPL, and Hahn Australia Cup, providing a connected, meaningful pathway for players and fans alike. Today’s brand launch is a statement of our commitment to grow domestic football in Australia and unlock its full potential.”
The official announcement stressed the significance of showcasing the NPL sides on a national platform, saying “these clubs represent the heart of Australian football with rich histories, fierce rivalries, and strong community ties”.
The competition was unveiled last October under a different format than what was initially proposed.
It will include a group stage (four groups of four teams playing home and away) with the top two from each progressing to an elimination finals series, culminating in the Final.
The inaugural Australian Championship Final will take place in early December this year.
