Football in Australia has always been fuelled by passionate voices – clubs, players, fans, volunteers, communities – all who care deeply about our nation, their communities, and the beautiful game. That spirit and dedication are the foundations of our football and ensured it got to where it is today. That passion and support will continue to drive football forward.
The Australian Championship, kicks off this October, and it’s much more than a new competition – it’s a vital step toward connecting and strengthening our national football pyramid. It seeks to elevate professional standards across the domestic club ecosystem, and fills the long-standing gap between the National Premier Leagues and the A-Leagues. Equally, it honours some of the most important clubs in our unique football story.
A platform for clubs who seeded and built the beautiful game
The vast majority of the eight inaugural participants in the Australian Championship – are among the most storied and community-connected clubs in Australia. Clubs mostly formed by the mass of migrants that built Australia in the post-war period. They represent a multi-generational cascade of dedication, and are deeply invested in the cultural fabric of Australian football. They provide a focus for new migrants, for their families and were a pillar of community development. These clubs were pillars of community institutional completion.
It was these clubs that produced scores of Socceroos and Matildas – and even other nations’ football legends, such as, Christian Vieri for Italy. These clubs have developed thousands of players, and have been central foundations of our football communities for generations.
The Championship recognises their legacy, supports their continued growth, and provides an aspirational national stage to showcase their ambition, professionalism, and connection to the game.
For the Greek community, they have been blessed with two historic clubs that have pioneered football in Australia – Sydney Olympic and South Melbourne Hellas. Sydney Olympic and South Melbourne Hellas hold a rarefied place in Australian football. Their on-field successes, the five NSL Premier titles have been gilded by the cultivation of icons such as Ange Postecoglou, Paul Trimboli, Brett Emerton, Peter Raskopoulos. The Australian Championship will put these clubs back into a national competition and give them a platform to connect with their supporters and community.
National vision from local roots
The Australian Championship is the product of extensive consultation with clubs, member federations, and the broader football community. When the initial Request for Proposal (RFP) process in 2023–24 delivered only eight clubs that met both technical and financial criteria, we didn’t abandon the idea. We evolved it to ensure it delivered a competition of national significance.
Through a series of workshops with the inaugural clubs in throughout 2024, we co-designed a competition format and club access model that preserved a national footprint – something that was agreed as a non-negotiable before the selection process commenced. The inclusion of the NPL Champions who must earn their place based on sporting merit ensures representation from every corner of the country, and the calendar window provides competitive integrity, alignment, visibility, and growth potential.
While there were calls to lower the standards of eligibility for new clubs, doing so would only set up the competition and the clubs for failure.
The format and style
The format of the Australian Championship resembles a ‘Champions’ League’ style format to accommodate the current clubs and scheduling needs. It’s a new national competition platform, underpinned by commercial rights, broadcast exposure, player development framework, and strategic investment – all designed to scale.
A long-term plan
We have a long-term plan. The Championship, allows us to evaluate club capability on and off the field. Decisions related to establishing new competitions of national significance cannot be rushed. Systemic change without first ensuring our ecosystem can sustain our clubs is paramount. Responsible reform takes time, and we will use the next few editions of the Australian Championships to learn and inform our next steps for any additional and new second tier competition in the future.
Building capacity and confidence
What we’re launching in October is not only a competition – it’s a platform for growth and pathway development. Some clubs are already reporting a 30 per cent increase in sponsorship revenue, driven by national exposure and increased community engagement.
The opportunity to host three home matches and the quarter-finals have provided further incentive and commercial opportunity.
We’ve also embedded player development principles into the Competition Rules and Regulations. Each club must list five U23 players (including two U20s), and three homegrown players — defined as young talent who have been with the club for at least three consecutive years – in their respective Australian Championship squads. These are the footballers of tomorrow — and they’ll now get the chance to play meaningful national football before entering the professional ranks.
In September, as part of our ongoing commitment to invest in club education, we’ve also partnered with FIFA to deliver a Club Development Workshop tailored to Foundation clubs in the Championship and the A-Leagues clubs. This investment in operational readiness and governance capability is how we ensure that our football infrastructure matures alongside our ambition.
A national story that unites us
The Australian Championship is a unifying force. It connects the grassroots to our highest tiers of football. It respects the past and lays the path for the future. It acknowledges the foundational role of clubs that have carried our game through different eras — from state-based leagues to the NSL, from community competitions to national – and even international – prominence.
Our enduring principles guide every decision from better access to football, more football, better football, more people enjoying football, and winning football. The Australian Championship embodies all five.
Whilst it’s only the start of something bigger, it is still very much principled, strategic, and future-focused. And most importantly, it reflects a belief that Australia’s football story is far from finished. With the Championship, we’re writing a new chapter — one that values our past, rewards our present, and plans responsibly for our future.
Let’s back the Championship. Let’s back our clubs. Let’s back the future of Australian football — together.
* Anter Isaac is the chair of Football Australia, and has has dedicated over 27 years to Australian football, including 12 with the national governing body in senior finance and management roles, and later as President of Football NSW.
