The 2025–26 A-League Men (Isuzu UTE A-League) season kicks off on 17 October 2025 and runs until 23 May 2026, featuring 12 teams after Western United’s licence was revoked. Each club will play 26 matches in a full home-and-away round-robin, with the top six advancing to the finals series that culminates in the Grand Final. The regular-season leaders will earn the Premiers Plate, while the Grand Final winners will be crowned Champions. Matches will be played across major stadiums such as Allianz Stadium in Sydney, AAMI Park in Melbourne, Coopers Stadium in Adelaide, Sky Stadium in Wellington, and Go Media Stadium in Auckland, with some flexibility for Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar due to venue considerations. Clubs include Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory, Melbourne City, Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar, Western Sydney Wanderers, Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory, Macarthur FC, Central Coast Mariners, Wellington Phoenix, and Auckland FC—the reigning Premiers in their debut year—while Melbourne City enter as defending Champions. October is particularly significant as it not only marks the start of a new campaign but also introduces the first full season under the 12-team format, sets the tone for rivalries and momentum, and captures fan attention as clubs begin their quest for both the Premiers Plate and the Championship.
Tournament Structure
The Tournament Format for the 2025–26 A-League Men (Isuzu UTE A-League):
1. Regular Season
• 12 clubs will participate (after Western United’s licence was revoked).
• Each team plays a full double round-robin:
- 26 matches per team (home and away against every other club).
• Standard points system:
- Win = 3 points, Draw = 1 point, Loss = 0 points.
• Premiers Plate is awarded to the club finishing top of the league table after 26 rounds.
2. Finals Series
• The top six teams from the regular season qualify.
• Knockout format:
- Elimination Finals (Week 1):
- 3rd place vs 6th place
- 4th place vs 5th place
- Semi-Finals (Week 2):
- 1st place vs lowest-ranked elimination winner
- 2nd place vs highest-ranked elimination winner
- Grand Final (Week 3):
- Winners of both semi-finals meet to decide the A-League Champion.
3. International Qualification
• The Champions (Grand Final winners) and Premiers (regular-season winners) typically qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) or AFC Champions League 2, depending on allocation.
Key Points for 2025–26
• Season runs: 17 October 2025 – 23 May 2026.
• Teams: 12 (Western United excluded).
• Two major honours:
- Premiers Plate (regular-season leaders).
- Championship (Grand Final winners).
A-League Men 2025–26: October Match Details
Season Kickoff
• The 2025–26 A-League Men regular season begins on Friday, 17 October 2025, marking the start of match action in October.
• There are 29 rounds in the season, with each team playing a total of 26 regular-season games.
• Unlike previous seasons, the Unite Round has been scrapped and won’t feature in the upcoming season schedule.
Scheduling Context
• The Domestic Match Calendar schedules a 30-week season over 32 weeks, factoring in FIFA international breaks.
• Round 1 is confirmed as 17 October 2025.
A-League Men 2025–26 Venues
The 2025–26 A-League Men venue details:
• Adelaide United → Coopers Stadium, Adelaide (16,500)
• Auckland FC → Go Media Stadium, Auckland (27,700)
• Brisbane Roar → Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (52,500)
- May also use smaller venues like Perry Park or Ballymore for selected games.
• Central Coast Mariners → Industree Group (Polytec) Stadium, Gosford (20,059)
• Macarthur FC → Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney (17,500)
• Melbourne City → AAMI Park, Melbourne (30,050)
• Melbourne Victory → AAMI Park, Melbourne (30,050)
• Newcastle Jets → McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle (30,000)
• Perth Glory → HBF Park, Perth (20,500)
• Sydney FC → Allianz Stadium, Sydney (42,500)
- Under review due to drainage issues, could temporarily shift matches to Leichhardt Oval.
• Wellington Phoenix → Sky Stadium, Wellington (34,500)
• Western Sydney Wanderers → CommBank Stadium, Sydney (30,000)
2025–26 A-League Men Teams
The Team Details for the 2025–26 A-League Men (Isuzu UTE A-League):
1. Adelaide United
• City: Adelaide, South Australia
• Stadium: Coopers Stadium (16,500)
• Founded: 2003
• Honours: 1 Championship, 2 Premierships, 3 FFA Cups
• Key Note: Consistent finals contender with strong youth development.
2. Auckland FC
• City: Auckland, New Zealand
• Stadium: Go Media Stadium (27,700)
• Founded: 2024 (new expansion club)
• Honours: 2024–25 Premiers (finished top in debut season)
• Key Note: First professional A-League club from Auckland, fast-rising force.
3. Brisbane Roar
• City: Brisbane, Queensland
• Stadium: Suncorp Stadium (52,500); alternative boutique venues possible
• Founded: 1957 (as Hollandia-Inala, later Queensland Roar)
• Honours: 3 Championships, 3 Premierships
• Key Note: Famous for their unbeaten run (36 games, 2010–2011).
4. Central Coast Mariners
• City: Gosford, New South Wales
• Stadium: Industree Group Stadium / Polytec Stadium (20,059)
• Founded: 2004
• Honours: 2 Championships, 2 Premierships, 1 Australia Cup
• Key Note: Small-town club with a passionate supporter base.
5. Macarthur FC
• City: Campbelltown (Sydney), NSW
• Stadium: Campbelltown Sports Stadium (17,500)
• Founded: 2017, joined A-League in 2020
• Honours: 1 Australia Cup
• Key Note: One of the newer Sydney clubs, building local rivalries.
6. Melbourne City
• City: Melbourne, Victoria
• Stadium: AAMI Park (30,050)
• Founded: 2009 (as Melbourne Heart, rebranded in 2014)
• Honours: 3 Championships, 3 Premierships, 1 Australia Cup
• Key Note: Defending Champions (2025 Grand Final winners).
7. Melbourne Victory
• City: Melbourne, Victoria
• Stadium: AAMI Park (30,050)
• Founded: 2004
• Honours: 4 Championships, 3 Premierships, 2 Australia Cups
• Key Note: One of the league’s most successful and best-supported clubs.
8. Newcastle Jets
• City: Newcastle, NSW
• Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium (30,000)
• Founded: 2000 (as Newcastle United, renamed 2005)
• Honours: 1 Championship, 1 Premiership
• Key Note: Known for their 2008 Grand Final triumph.
9. Perth Glory
• City: Perth, Western Australia
• Stadium: HBF Park (20,500)
• Founded: 1995
• Honours: 2 Premierships (NSL + A-League era), 3 NSL Championships
• Key Note: Historically strong club, rebuilding after financial struggles.
10. Sydney FC
• City: Sydney, NSW
• Stadium: Allianz Stadium (42,500)
• Founded: 2004
• Honours: 5 Championships, 4 Premierships, 1 Australia Cup
• Key Note: The most successful club in A-League history.
11. Wellington Phoenix
• City: Wellington, New Zealand
• Stadium: Sky Stadium (34,500)
• Founded: 2007
• Honours: None yet
• Key Note: Only club based in New Zealand besides newcomers Auckland FC.
12. Western Sydney Wanderers
• City: Sydney (Parramatta), NSW
• Stadium: CommBank Stadium (30,000)
• Founded: 2012
• Honours: 1 Championship, 1 Premiership, 2014 AFC Champions League winners
• Key Note: Fierce rivalries with Sydney FC (the “Sydney Derby”).
Importance of October 2025 in the A-League Men Season
The importance of the 2025–26 A-League Men in October 2025
1. Season Kickoff (17 October 2025)
• Marks the official start of the 2025–26 campaign.
• Fans get their first look at squads after off-season transfers and changes.
2. First Matches Without Western United
• October is the first month played under the 12-team format, after Western United’s licence was revoked.
• Sets a new era for the league.
3. Debut Season Continuation for Auckland FC
• Auckland FC, last season’s Premiers in their debut year, begin their second season.
• High interest to see if they can maintain momentum.
4. Form & Momentum Building
• Early matches in October shape confidence and rhythm.
• Strong starts often predict who will stay in the finals race.
5. Rivalries & Fan Engagement
• Early-season derbies (e.g., Sydney Derby, Melbourne Derby if scheduled in October) ignite fan excitement.
• Key for attendance and TV viewership growth.
6. Testing Grounds for Clubs
• Clubs like Sydney FC (with Allianz Stadium’s drainage issue) and Brisbane Roar (venue considerations) face real tests in October.
• How they adapt could set the tone for their seasons.
7. Commercial & Media Spotlight
• October coincides with the start of Australia’s summer sports calendar, competing with cricket.
• The A-League’s strong kickoff is vital for visibility and sponsorship impact.
Conclusion – A-League Men 2025–26 in October
The 2025–26 A-League Men season begins in October, ushering in a new chapter with 12 teams, the absence of Western United, and the return of fierce rivalries. October’s matches are more than just openers—they set the tone for the season, test club strength after pre-season changes, and capture fan excitement with derbies and new narratives. For Auckland FC, Melbourne City, Sydney FC, and others, October is where momentum is built, reputations are tested, and the journey toward the Premiers Plate and Championship truly begins.
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