2025 Australian Championship

Last updated

Australian Championship
Season 2025
Dates10 October – 6 December
Matches32
Goals107 (3.34 per match)
Top goalscorer Ali Auglah (4 goals)
Biggest home win Heidelberg United 6–1 South Hobart (26 Oct)
Biggest away win Wollongong Wolves 0–3 Heidelberg United (18 Oct)
Highest attendance6,825 (South Melbourne v Sydney Olympic; 10 Oct)
Lowest attendance534 (Bayswater City v North Eastern MetroStars; 19 Oct)
2026
All statistics correct as of 2 November 2025.

The 2025 Australian Championship is the first edition of the Australian Championship, a national second-tier competition of soccer in Australia, held after the finish of the second-tier 2025 National Premier Leagues season. [1] The tournament consists of six home-and-away matches in four groups for teams in the group stage, culminating in a knockout finals series, running from 10 October and concluding on 6 December. [2] [3]

Contents

Teams

2025 Australian Championship
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30km
19miles
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2025 Australian Championship
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7km
4.3miles
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2025 Australian Championship
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900km
559miles
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Broadmeadow Magic                                      
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                            Bayswater City
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Locations of clubs in Sydney and Wollongong (top), Melbourne (middle), and the rest of Australia (bottom).
Foundation clubs, NPL qualifiers

Sixteen clubs are participating in the inaugural edition. Eight clubs gained automatic qualification as the competition's "foundation clubs": Avondale FC, Marconi Stallions, Preston Lions, South Melbourne, Sydney Olympic, Sydney United 58, Wests APIA, and Wollongong Wolves. [4] [5]

The other eight qualified via the 2025 National Premier Leagues, seven as premiers: Bayswater City (WA), Broadmeadow Magic (Northern NSW), Canberra Croatia (ACT), Moreton City Excelsior (Queensland), North Eastern MetroStars (SA), NWS Spirit (NSW), and South Hobart (Tasmania). The 2025 NPL Victoria premiers, Avondale FC, had already qualified as a foundation club, so their berth went to the league's second-placed team Heidelberg United. [6] [7]

List of 2025 Australian Championship clubs
TeamCityHome groundCap.
Avondale FC Melbourne Avenger Park2,500
Bayswater City Perth Frank Drago Reserve 3,000
Broadmeadow Magic Newcastle Magic Park 3,500
Canberra Croatia Canberra Deakin Stadium 1,500
Heidelberg United Melbourne Olympic Park 12,000
Marconi Stallions Sydney Marconi Stadium 9,000
Moreton City Excelsior Brisbane Perry Park 5,000
North Eastern MetroStars Adelaide T.K. Shutter Reserve 2,000
NWS Spirit Sydney Christie Park 1,500
Preston Lions Melbourne B.T. Connor Reserve 9,000
South Hobart Hobart D'Arcy Street 1,500
South Melbourne Melbourne Lakeside Stadium 12,000
Sydney Olympic Sydney Jubilee Stadium 20,500
Sydney United 58 Sydney Sydney United Sports Centre 12,000
Wests APIA Sydney Leichhardt Oval 20,000
Wollongong Wolves Wollongong Collegians Sports Centre5,000
Qualified as a foundation club
Qualified via the NPL

Group stage

The draw for the group stage was conducted on 1 May. [2] Four of the foundation clubs (APIA Leichhardt, Avondale, Marconi Stallions and South Melbourne) were seeded into Position 1 of each group. [8]

The group stage is being played from 10 October to 16 November. [9] [10]

All times listed are local time.

Group A

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification SMB MCE SOL BMM
1 South Melbourne 6510136+716 Finals series 2–03–22–0
2 Moreton City Excelsior 62221513+283–31–25–1
3 Sydney Olympic 62131414071–23–32–3
4 Broadmeadow Magic 6105817930–12–32–4
10 October1 South Melbourne 3–2 Sydney Olympic Melbourne
19:00 (AEDT)
Source
Stadium: Lakeside Stadium
Attendance: 6,825 [11]
Referee: Sam Kelly
12 October1 Broadmeadow Magic 2–3 Moreton City Excelsior Newcastle
13:00 (AEDT)
Source
Stadium: Magic Park
Attendance: 1,175 [12]
Referee: Eric Saba
19 October2 Sydney Olympic 2–3 Broadmeadow Magic Sydney
13:00 (AEDT)
Source
Stadium: Jubilee Stadium
Attendance: 1,371 [13]
Referee: Eric Saba
19 October2 South Melbourne 2–0 Moreton City Excelsior Melbourne
16:30 (AEDT)
Source Stadium: Lakeside Stadium
Attendance: 3,395 [14]
Referee: Jack Morgan
26 October3 Broadmeadow Magic 0–1 South Melbourne Newcastle
13:00 (AEDT) Source
Stadium: Magic Park
Attendance: 539 [15]
Referee: Joshua Attard
26 October3 Moreton City Excelsior 1–2 Sydney Olympic Brisbane
12:00 (AEST) Source
Stadium: Perry Park
Attendance: 1,048 [16]
Referee: Zac Keenan
1 November4 Sydney Olympic 1–2 South Melbourne Sydney
15:15 (AEDT)
Source
Stadium: Jubilee Stadium
Attendance: 1,401 [17]
Referee: Jack Morgan
2 November4 Moreton City Excelsior 5–1 Broadmeadow Magic Brisbane
12:00 (AEST)
Source
Stadium: Perry Park
Attendance: 380 [18]
Referee: Tom Fell
8 November5 Sydney Olympic 3–3 Moreton City Excelsior Sydney
13:00 (AEDT)
Source
Stadium: Jubilee Oval
Referee: Jock Quartermain
8 November5 South Melbourne 2–0 Broadmeadow Magic Melbourne
15:15 (AEDT)
Source Stadium: Lakeside Stadium
Referee: Eric Saba
14 November6 Moreton City Excelsior 3–3 South Melbourne Brisbane
18:35 (AEST)
Source
Stadium: Perry Park
Referee: Zac Keenan
16 November6 Broadmeadow Magic 2–4 Sydney Olympic Newcastle
13:00 (AEDT) Source
Stadium: Magic Park
Referee: Calvin Berg

Group B

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification HEI MAR WOL SHO
1 Heidelberg United 6330156+912 Finals series 1–02–26–1
2 Marconi Stallions 6312107+3101–13–04–0
3 Wollongong Wolves 63121311+2100–35–03–2
4 South Hobart 60156201412–20–21–3
12 October1 Heidelberg United 1–0 Marconi Stallions Melbourne
13:00 (AEDT) Source Stadium: Olympic Park
Attendance: 2,114 [19]
Referee: Declan Woods
12 October1 South Hobart 1–3 Wollongong Wolves Hobart
13:00 (AEDT)
Source Stadium: D'Arcy Street
Attendance: 1,348 [20]
Referee: Daniel Cook
18 October2 Marconi Stallions 4–0 South Hobart Sydney
13:00 (AEDT)
Source Stadium: Marconi Stadium
Attendance: 2,107 [21]
Referee: Brodie Merchant
18 October2 Wollongong Wolves 0–3 Heidelberg United Wollongong
15:00 (AEDT) Source
Stadium: Collegians Sports Centre
Attendance: 3,077 [22]
Referee: Declan Woods
25 October3 Marconi Stallions 3–0 Wollongong Wolves Sydney
13:00 (AEDT)
Source Stadium: Marconi Stadium
Attendance: 1,239 [23]
Referee: Declan Woods
26 October3 Heidelberg United 6–1 South Hobart Melbourne
13:00 (AEDT)
Source
Stadium: Olympic Park
Attendance: 778 [24]
Referee: Tom Fell
31 October4 Marconi Stallions 1–1 Heidelberg United Sydney
20:35 (AEDT) Source
Stadium: Marconi Stadium
Attendance: 1,718 [25]
Referee: Jake Rose
2 November4 Wollongong Wolves 3–2 South Hobart Wollongong
13:00 (AEDT)
Source
Stadium: Collegians Sports Centre
Attendance: 1,320 [26]
Referee: Matt Staples
9 November5 South Hobart 0–2 Marconi Stallions Hobart
13:00 (AEDT) Source
Stadium: D'Arcy Street
Attendance: 929 [27]
Referee: Brenton Kopra
9 November5 Heidelberg United 2–2 Wollongong Wolves Melbourne
13:00 (AEDT)
Source Stadium: Olympic Park
Attendance: 420 [28]
Referee: Daniel Cook
15 November6 Wollongong Wolves 5–0 Marconi Stallions Wollongong
15:15 (AEDT)
Source Stadium: Collegians Sports Centre
Referee: Eric Saba
16 November6 South Hobart 2–2 Heidelberg United Hobart
13:00 (AEDT)
Source Stadium: D'Arcy Street
Referee: Noah Moss

Group C

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification AVO NWS PRE CCR
1 Avondale FC 6330126+612 Finals series 1–01–13–1
2 NWS Spirit 622289183–31–32–1
3 Preston Lions 614176+170–01–10–0
4 Canberra Croatia 6114612641–40–13–2
11 October1 Preston Lions 1–1 NWS Spirit Melbourne
15:00 (AEDT)
Source Stadium: Genis Steel Stadium
Attendance: 4,241 [29]
Referee: Jock Quartermain
12 October1 Avondale FC 3–1 Canberra Croatia Melbourne
16:30 (AEDT)
Source
Stadium: Avenger Park
Attendance: 1,731 [30]
Referee: Jack Morgan
19 October2 Canberra Croatia 3–2 Preston Lions Canberra
13:00 (AEDT)
Source
Stadium: Deakin Stadium
Attendance: 1,650 [31]
Referee: Tom Dale
19 October2 NWS Spirit 3–3 Avondale FC Sydney
16:30 (AEDT)
Source
Stadium: Christie Park
Attendance: 779 [32]
Referee: Jock Quartermain
24 October3 Preston Lions 0–0 Avondale FC Melbourne
19:35 (AEDT) Source Stadium: Genis Steel Stadium
Attendance: 5,301 [33]
Referee: Eric Saba
26 October3 NWS Spirit 2–1 Canberra Croatia Sydney
16:30 (AEDT)
Source Stadium: Christie Park
Attendance: 557 [34]
Referee: Jake Rose
1 November4 Canberra Croatia 1–4 Avondale FC Canberra
13:00 (AEDT)
Source
Stadium: Deakin Stadium
Attendance: 731 [35]
Referee: Brodie Merchant
2 November4 NWS Spirit 1–3 Preston Lions Sydney
16:30 (AEDT)
Source
Stadium: Christie Park
Attendance: 834 [36]
Referee: Declan Woods
9 November5 Preston Lions 0–0 Canberra Croatia Melbourne
13:00 (AEDT) Source Stadium: Genis Steel Stadium
Attendance: 4,111 [37]
Referee: Brodie Merchant
9 November5 Avondale FC 1–0 NWS Spirit Melbourne
16:30 (AEDT)
Source Stadium: Avenger Park
Attendance: 545 [38]
Referee: Jack Morgan
15 November6 Avondale FC 1–1 Preston Lions Melbourne
13:00 (AEDT)
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Source Stadium: Avenger Park
Referee: Declan Woods
16 November6 Canberra Croatia 0–1 NWS Spirit Canberra
13:30 (AEDT) Source Stadium: Deakin Stadium
Referee: Brooklyn Faucett

Group D

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification APL MET BWC SUD
1 Wests APIA 6411124+813 Finals series 1–14–14–0
2 North Eastern MetroStars 631274+3100–12–02–0
3 Bayswater City 6312792101–01–03–2
4 Sydney United 58 6015514911–21–21–1
11 October1 North Eastern MetroStars 0–1 Wests APIA Adelaide
12:30 (ACDT) Source
Stadium: T.K. Shutter Reserve
Attendance: 1,136 [39]
Referee: Tom Brinkworth
12 October1 Sydney United 58 1–1 Bayswater City Sydney
16:30 (AEDT) Source
Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 953 [40]
Referee: Jake Rose
17 October2 Wests APIA 4–0 Sydney United 58 Sydney
19:30 AEDT
Source Stadium: Leichhardt Oval
Attendance: 4,263 [41]
Referee: Daniel Cook
19 October2 Bayswater City 1–0 North Eastern MetroStars Perth
13:30 (AWST)
Source Stadium: Frank Drago Reserve
Attendance: 534 [42]
Referee: Liam Barclay
25 October3 Sydney United 58 1–2 North Eastern MetroStars Sydney
15:15 (AEDT) Source
Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 318 [43]
Referee: Brodie Merchant
26 October3 Bayswater City 1–0 Wests APIA Perth
13:30 (AWST) Source Stadium: Frank Drago Reserve
Attendance: 697 [44]
Referee: Niall Gillmor
2 November4 Wests APIA 1–1 North Eastern MetroStars Sydney
13:00 (AEDT)
Source Stadium: Leichhardt Oval
Attendance: 2,983 [45]
Referee: Eric Saba
2 November4 Bayswater City 3–2 Sydney United 58 Perth
13:30 (AWST)
Source Stadium: Frank Drago Reserve
Attendance: 790 [46]
Referee: Daniel Cook
7 November5 Sydney United 58 1–2 Wests APIA Sydney
19:35 (AEDT) Source
Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 473 [47]
Referee: Jack Powers
9 November5 North Eastern MetroStars 2–0 Bayswater City Adelaide
16:00 (ACDT)
Source Stadium: T.K. Shutter Reserve
Attendance: 653 [48]
Referee: Declan Woods
16 November6 North Eastern MetroStars 2–0 Sydney United 58 Adelaide
12:30 (ACDT)
Source Stadium: T.K. Shutter Reserve
Referee: Daniel Cook
16 November6 Wests APIA 4–1 Bayswater City Sydney
16:30 (AEDT)
Source
Stadium: Leichhardt Oval
Referee: Jack Morgan

Finals series

The quarter-finals will be played between 21 and 23 November at the home grounds of the group winners; while the semi-finals on 29 November, and the final on 6 December, will be played at a to-be-determined neutral venue. [9] [10]

 
Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final
 
          
 
22 November
 
 
South Melbourne
 
29 November
 
NWS Spirit
 
Winner quarter-final 1
 
22 November
 
Winner quarter-final 2
 
Heidelberg United
 
6 December
 
North Eastern MetroStars
 
Winner semi-final 1
 
23 November
 
Winner semi-final 2
 
Avondale FC
 
29 November
 
Moreton City Excelsior
 
Winner quarter-final 3
 
21 November
 
Marconi Stallions
 
Wests APIA 1 (7)
 
 
Marconi Stallions (p)1 (8)
 

Quarter-finals

22 November Avondale FC 1-3 Moreton City Excelsior Melbourne
12:35 (AEDT)Stadium: Avenger Park
23 November South Melbourne v NWS Spirit Melbourne
15:05 (AEDT)Stadium: Lakeside Stadium

Semi-finals

29 November Winner quarter-final 1 v Winner quarter-final 2
13:00 (AEDT)
29 November Moreton City Excelsior v Marconi Stallions Brisbane
15:00 (AEDT)Stadium: Perry Park

Final

Winner semi-final 1vWinner semi-final 2

Top goalscorers

As of 16 November 2025. Players in bold are still active in the competition.
RankPlayerClubGoals
1 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ali Auglah Sydney Olympic6
2 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Lachlan Scott Wollongong Wolves5
3 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bruno Fornaroli Avondale FC4
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Joseph ScottMoreton City Excelsior
5 Flag of South Sudan.svg Manyluak Aguek South Melbourne3
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jarred BakerBroadmeadow Magic
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Michael CittadiniNorth Eastern MetroStars
Flag of New Zealand.svg Ryan FeutzSydney Olympic
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dredon KellyWests APIA
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Aedon KyraWS Spirit
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jordon LampardSouth Melbourne
Flag of Japan.svg Seita MuraiMoreton City Excelsior
Flag of the United States.svg Jason Romero Preston Lions
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Damian Tsekenis Marconi Stallions

See also

References

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  2. 1 2 "Australian Championship Draw Confirmed With Historic Rivalries To Launch New Era". Australian Championship . 1 May 2025.
  3. "Football Australia Domestic Match Calendar 2025/26" (PDF).
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  5. Lynch, Joey (11 February 2025). "The Australian Championship: FA unveils Champions League-style second tier". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 22 September 2025. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  6. Lynch, Joey (11 September 2025). "Australian Championship: Clubs, season start, all you need to know". ESPN Australia . Archived from the original on 22 September 2025. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  7. Greg, Dundas; Ward, Roy (20 August 2025). "'We can do it': Heidelberg's semi-pros back at work and eyeing another A-League upset". The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on 22 September 2025. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
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