Lexi Webster
The Australian Premier League, now known as the A-League Men, is the top divisional football league in Australia. The A-League Men is administered by the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and consists of 13 teams, 11 of which are based in Australia and 2 in New Zealand. The regular season runs from October to May, with 27 rounds of competition. The top six teams at the end of the regular season advance to the finals series, with the winner of the regular season being dubbed the 'Premier' and the winner of the grand final being the season's 'Champion'. The A-League Men is the top tier of a multi-tiered Australian soccer league system, with the second tier being the National Premier Leagues (NPL), which was introduced in 2013 and consists of 94 clubs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of teams | 13 (11 based in Australia, 2 in New Zealand) |
| Season timing | October to May |
| Number of rounds | 27 (29 in 2024-25 season) |
| Number of games per season | 26 |
| Number of home and away fixtures per season | 24 |
| Number of byes per season | 3 |
| Number of points for a win | 3 |
| Number of points for a draw | 1 |
| Trophy name | Premier's Plate |
| Number of clubs competing in the top tier of the National Premier Leagues each season | 94 |
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What You'll Learn
The Australian Premier League has 94 clubs
The Australian Premier League, now known as the National Premier Leagues (NPL), is a nationwide football league in Australia. The NPL was established in 2013 as the second tier of football in Australia, below the A-League, which is the top tier. The NPL incorporated the existing state leagues as divisions and introduced a nationwide end-of-season finals series. There are 94 clubs that compete in the top tier of the NPL each season, and the number of clubs in each division varies depending on the state federation in charge.
The NPL initially included teams from five of the nine state-based federations, with the remaining four joining in 2014. The competition is run by member federations, with a national playoff tournament at the end of each season. Each member federation, or 'conference', contains a varying number of teams, and they play a full season with no inter-conference matches. The winner of each division is determined by the club in first place at the end of the regular season, rather than the winner of the state-based finals series.
The NPL is a promotion and relegation league, with clubs changing annually. Teams may be relegated from the NPL to a third-tier league in the same state or promoted from a third-tier league to the NPL. However, there is currently no mechanism for a team to be promoted from the NPL to the first-tier A-League. The Australian Championship, a spring competition contested by teams from the NPL, was intended to introduce promotion and relegation between the two leagues starting in 2022, but this has been delayed until 2025.
The finals series of the NPL culminates in a Grand Final, where the winner is crowned NPL Champion. From 2014 to 2019, the NPL Champion also qualified for the following year's FFA Cup round of 32. The John Kosmina Medal is presented to the best player in the NPL final and is named after former Australian international John Kosmina.
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It is controlled by Football Australia
The Australian Premier League, now known as the A-League Men, is governed and controlled by Football Australia, the country's governing body for the sport. Football Australia, previously known as the Australian Football Federation, has a comprehensive set of responsibilities and powers to ensure the successful management and growth of the league. They are responsible for setting the strategic direction, competition structure, and regulatory framework for the A-League. This includes determining the number of teams, the format of the season, and the rules and regulations that govern the league's operations. Football Australia also oversees the licensing and membership of clubs, ensuring they meet the required standards and follow the league's rules.
The body plays a crucial role in the league's commercial success, managing broadcast rights, sponsorship deals, and revenue distribution. They work to promote the league, attract investors, and secure lucrative deals to ensure the financial health of the competition and its clubs. Football Australia also has a focus on the development of the sport, using the A-League to drive participation and improve playing standards across the country. They implement programs and initiatives to support youth development, coach education, and referee training, with the A-League often acting as a showcase for these efforts.
Competition integrity and fairness are also key concerns for Football Australia. They enforce strict rules and regulations to ensure a level playing field, with a focus on anti-doping, match-fixing, and player behavior. The body has a dedicated integrity unit to investigate and address any potential breaches, working closely with clubs and authorities to maintain the sport's integrity. Football Australia also oversees the appointment and assessment of match officials, ensuring their performance meets the standards required for a professional league.
Finally, Football Australia has a broader role in the league's governance, including managing relationships with other football bodies, both domestically and internationally. They work closely with the Asian Football Confederation and FIFA, ensuring the league aligns with continental and global standards and regulations. Football Australia also collaborates with state-level federations and associations, ensuring a cohesive and unified approach to the sport's growth and development across the country. The body's governance extends to the A-League clubs themselves, providing support and guidance while also holding them accountable to the league's standards and rules.
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The A-League is the top tier
The A-League was established in 2005 as the successor to the National Soccer League (NLS), which stood as the top tier of Australian football from 1977 to 2004. The A-League initially featured only Australian teams, but in recent years, two New Zealand teams, Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC, have joined the competition. The introduction of these New Zealand teams has added an international dimension to the league and expanded its reach beyond Australia.
The A-League is the pinnacle of the Australian football pyramid, with no promotion or relegation to and from the league. This structure differs from other football leagues around the world, which often feature promotion and relegation between divisions. However, there are plans to introduce a promotion and relegation system between the A-League and a second tier, tentatively called the Australian Championship, from 2025. This change would bring the A-League in line with other football pyramids and create a more dynamic and competitive environment.
The A-League is highly competitive, with intense rivalries such as "The Big Blue" between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC, and "The F3 Derby" between Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets. These derbies showcase the passion and intensity of Australian football and have contributed to the league's growing popularity. The A-League also provides a pathway to Asian continental club competitions, with the most successful clubs qualifying for the AFC Champions League Elite and the AFC Champions League Two. In 2014, the Western Sydney Wanderers became the first Australian club to win the AFC Champions League, showcasing the quality of football in the A-League.
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Clubs are eligible for the AFC Champions League
The Australian A-League clubs have been eligible for participation in the AFC Champions League each season since the 2007 edition of the tournament. The AFC Champions League is an annual continental club football competition organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It is the most prestigious club competition in Asian football and is played by the national league champions (and, for some nations, one or more runners-up) of their national associations.
Since the 2005–06 season, the club at the top of the A-League ladder has entered the AFC Champions League. However, Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC are not eligible to compete in the Asian Champions League, nor do they compete in the OFC Champions League. Qualification for the AFC Champions League is determined by league finishing positions and the winner of the Australia Cup Final, with the number of positions determined by the Asian Football Confederation club competition ranking.
The AFC Champions League was introduced in 1967 as the Asian Champion Club Tournament and was rebranded as the AFC Champions League in 2002 following the merger of the Asian Club Championship, the Asian Cup Winners' Cup, and the Asian Super Cup. The competition was expanded to 32 clubs in 2009, with direct entry to the top ten Asian leagues. In 2021, the group stage was further expanded from 32 to 40 teams, with both the West and East Regions having five groups of four teams.
In 2024, the AFC announced that the competition would be restructured, reducing the number of teams in the main stage from 40 to 24, divided into East and West regions (12 teams each). The top eight teams from each region would then advance to the knockout stage, with the round of 16 being played over two legs. The winner of the AFC Champions League Elite qualifies for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup, as well as the next edition of the AFC Champions League Elite league stage if they have not already qualified through their domestic performance.
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The National Premier League (NPL) is the second tier
The NPL introduced a direct second tier of soccer in Australia, underpinning the top-tier A-League. While there is no promotion and relegation to and from the A-League, there is promotion and relegation at other levels, which varies between different state systems. For example, teams may be relegated from the NPL to a third-tier league in the same state, and vice versa. The number of teams promoted and relegated from third-tier leagues per state has varied over the years.
The NPL competitions in each state and territory are run by the member federation, with a national playoff tournament at the end of each season. The winner of each division is determined by the club in first place of each conference table at the end of the regular season, rather than the winner of the various state-based finals series. The finals series culminates in a Grand Final, where the winner is crowned the NPL Champion. From 2014 to 2019, the NPL Champion also qualified for the following year's FFA Cup round of 32.
The inaugural season of the NPL began in March 2013, including teams from five of the nine state-based federations. The remaining federations, with the exception of the Northern Territory, joined in 2014. The NPL was originally named the "Australian Premier League", but this was changed due to a violation of naming rights held by Lawn Bowls Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian Premier League, now called the A-League Men, is contested by 13 teams, 11 based in Australia and 2 in New Zealand.
The Australian Premier League runs from October to May and includes a 27-round regular season. The regular season is followed by a finals series playoff involving the six highest-placed teams, culminating in a grand final match. The winner of the regular season is dubbed the 'Premier', while the winner of the grand final is the season's 'Champion'.
There are 94 clubs that compete in the top tier of the National Premier Leagues each season.
The Australian Premier League (now A-League) is the top tier of football in Australia. The National Premier Leagues (NPL) are the second tier of football in Australia.
