| Season | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 10 October – 6 December |
| Matches | 32 |
| Goals | 107 (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 attendance | 6,825 (South Melbourne v Sydney Olympic; 10 Oct) |
| Lowest attendance | 534 (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]
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]
| Team | City | Home ground | Cap. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avondale FC ‡ | Melbourne | Avenger Park | 2,500 |
| 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 Centre | 5,000 |
‡ | Qualified as a foundation club |
| Qualified via the NPL |
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.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | SMB | MCE | SOL | BMM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Melbourne | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 6 | +7 | 16 | Finals series | — | 2–0 | 3–2 | 2–0 | |
| 2 | Moreton City Excelsior | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 13 | +2 | 8 | 3–3 | — | 1–2 | 5–1 | ||
| 3 | Sydney Olympic | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 1–2 | 3–3 | — | 2–3 | ||
| 4 | Broadmeadow Magic | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 17 | −9 | 3 | 0–1 | 2–3 | 2–4 | — |
| 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 |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | HEI | MAR | WOL | SHO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heidelberg United | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 6 | +9 | 12 | Finals series | — | 1–0 | 2–2 | 6–1 | |
| 2 | Marconi Stallions | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 7 | +3 | 10 | 1–1 | — | 3–0 | 4–0 | ||
| 3 | Wollongong Wolves | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 11 | +2 | 10 | 0–3 | 5–0 | — | 3–2 | ||
| 4 | South Hobart | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 20 | −14 | 1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | — |
| 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 |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | AVO | NWS | PRE | CCR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avondale FC | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 6 | +6 | 12 | Finals series | — | 1–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | |
| 2 | NWS Spirit | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 9 | −1 | 8 | 3–3 | — | 1–3 | 2–1 | ||
| 3 | Preston Lions | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 7 | 0–0 | 1–1 | — | 0–0 | ||
| 4 | Canberra Croatia | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 12 | −6 | 4 | 1–4 | 0–1 | 3–2 | — |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | APL | MET | BWC | SUD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wests APIA | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 4 | +8 | 13 | Finals series | — | 1–1 | 4–1 | 4–0 | |
| 2 | North Eastern MetroStars | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 10 | 0–1 | — | 2–0 | 2–0 | ||
| 3 | Bayswater City | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 9 | −2 | 10 | 1–0 | 1–0 | — | 3–2 | ||
| 4 | Sydney United 58 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 14 | −9 | 1 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | — |
| 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 |
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) | |||||||||
| 21 November | Wests APIA | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (7–8 p) | Marconi Stallions | Sydney |
| 19:45 (AEDT) |
| Report |
| Stadium: Leichhardt Oval Referee: Lachlan Keevers |
| Penalties | ||||
| 22 November | Avondale FC | 1-3 | Moreton City Excelsior | Melbourne |
| 12:35 (AEDT) | Stadium: Avenger Park |
| 22 November | Heidelberg United | v | North Eastern MetroStars | Melbourne |
| 15:35 (AEDT) | Stadium: Olympic Park |
| 23 November | South Melbourne | v | NWS Spirit | Melbourne |
| 15:05 (AEDT) | Stadium: Lakeside Stadium |
| 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 |
| Winner semi-final 1 | v | Winner semi-final 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | Sydney Olympic | 6 |
| 2 | | Wollongong Wolves | 5 |
| 3 | | Avondale FC | 4 |
| | Moreton City Excelsior | ||
| 5 | | South Melbourne | 3 |
| | Broadmeadow Magic | ||
| | North Eastern MetroStars | ||
| | Sydney Olympic | ||
| | Wests APIA | ||
| | WS Spirit | ||
| | South Melbourne | ||
| | Moreton City Excelsior | ||
| | Preston Lions | ||
| | Marconi Stallions |