Damon Mcknight
Soccer is a popular sport in Australia, with over 1.2 million Australians aged 15 and over participating in 2022. The sport is even more popular among young Australians, with the participation rate in soccer second only to swimming among children up to 14 years old. Australia has a strong soccer history, with the sport gaining prominence in the country in the 1950s and 1960s due to its association with migrant communities. Over the years, soccer has become an integral part of Australian culture, with the country's national team, the Socceroos, qualifying for the FIFA World Cup on six occasions. Despite the popularity of soccer at the grassroots level, the professional game in Australia faces challenges in terms of viewership and organisational issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of people playing soccer in Australia | 1.2 million (2022) |
| 1.7 million (2023) | |
| 1.9 million (2024) | |
| Number of adults playing soccer in Australia | 1,232,726 (2024) |
| 1.37 million (2023) | |
| Number of children playing soccer in Australia | 632,249 (2024) |
| Number of female players | ~25% of total players (2024) |
| 221,436 (2024) |
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What You'll Learn
Soccer is Australia's most popular sport
The popularity of soccer in Australia can be traced back to the post-World War I era, when large numbers of British and southern European immigrants arrived in the country, bringing with them a passion for the sport. The game's popularity received another boost following World War II, particularly in states like New South Wales and Victoria, which saw an influx of immigrants from Croatia, Greece, Macedonia, and Italy. The most prominent soccer clubs in Australian cities during the 1950s and 1960s were based around these migrant-ethnic groups, with clubs like South Melbourne (Greek-based), Sydney Olympic (Greek-based), and Adelaide City (Italian-based) forming the backbone of the sport's support.
In 1962, the Australia Cup was established, marking the country's first foray into a national soccer competition. However, it was short-lived, ending in 1968. It wasn't until 1977 that the first truly national soccer competition, the National Soccer League, was founded. The NSL flourished through the 1980s and early 1990s, but it also saw an increasing departure of Australian players to overseas leagues. Despite this, soccer's popularity continued to grow, with the Socceroos, Australia's national team, qualifying for the FIFA World Cup on six occasions since their first appearance in 1974.
In 2004, the Football Federation Australia established the A-League, which includes men's, women's, and youth leagues. The A-League revolution was an initial success, with the men's game averaging nearly 15,000 spectators per game in its third season. However, despite the sport's widespread participation and the success of individual players and teams, the professional game in Australia has faced financial and organisational challenges.
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1.7 million Australians play soccer
Soccer is Australia's national sport at the grassroots level, with 1.7 million Australians playing the game. The sport's popularity in Australia can be traced back to the post-World War I era when large numbers of British and southern European immigrants arrived in the country, bringing with them a passion for soccer. The sport's popularity continued to grow in the 1950s and 1960s, with prominent soccer clubs in Australian cities based around migrant-ethnic groups, including Croatian, Greek, Macedonian, and Italian communities.
Soccer's popularity in Australia is particularly notable among young people, with the participation rate in soccer being second only to swimming among children aged up to 14 years old. In 2024, there were 1,232,726 adults and 632,249 children playing soccer, with about a quarter being female. This translates to an overall participation per capita of 6.9%, making it the most participated team sport in Australia.
Despite the deep financial and organisational issues facing the professional game in Australia, soccer continues to be a popular choice for spectators and participants at the grassroots level. The A-League, established in 2004, has contributed to the growth of the sport, with the men's games in its third season in 2007-2008 averaging nearly 15,000 spectators per game.
The success of the Australian national teams and the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 have also played a pivotal role in inspiring a generation of Australians and growing the sport across the country. With over 1.9 million participants nationwide in 2024, football is Australia's most popular and fastest-growing sport, with a particular increase in participation among women and girls.
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Australia's A-League
The A-League revolution, backed by businessman Frank Lowy, was an initial success. In its third season, in 2007-08, regular-season attendance at the men's game averaged nearly 15,000 people per game, with the biggest club, Melbourne Victory, averaging more than 26,000 spectators. The women's league started the following season, and former A-League Women players, such as Hayley Raso and Sam Kerr, have been nominated for soccer's top award, the Ballon d'Or.
The A-League does not practice relegation and promotion and institutes a salary cap. The most successful clubs in a season are granted qualification into the Asian continental club competitions, the AFC Champions League Elite and the AFC Champions League Two. In 2014, the Western Sydney Wanderers became the first and only Australian club to win the AFC Champions League.
While Australia's A-League may not rank among the top soccer leagues worldwide, soccer in Australia is extremely popular at the grassroots level and is the country's national sport. In 2024, there were reportedly 1,232,726 adults and 632,249 children playing soccer in Australia, with an overall participation per capita of 6.9%, making it the most participated team sport.
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Popularity among migrants
The popularity of soccer in Australia has historically been linked to immigration. After World War I, large numbers of British and southern Europeans arrived in Australia, bringing soccer with them and establishing it as a major sport in the country. The sport's popularity, particularly in New South Wales and Victoria, was linked to post-World War II immigration. During the 1950s and 1960s, the most prominent soccer clubs in Australian cities were based around migrant ethnic groups, with Croatian, Greek, Macedonian, and Italian communities giving rise to some of the largest clubs. These included South Melbourne (Greek-based), Sydney Olympic (Greek-based), Marconi Stallions (Italian-based), Adelaide City (Italian-based), Melbourne Knights (Croatian-based), Sydney United (Croatian-based), and Preston Lions (Macedonian-based).
In the mid-1990s, Soccer Australia, the governing body for the sport, attempted to shift soccer away from its direct club-level association with migrant roots and towards the Australian mainstream. Many clubs were required to change their names and badges to represent a more inclusive community. Despite these efforts, the sport's growth and support have continued to be linked to its migrant background. The A-League, which started in 2005, was billed as a fresh start for the sport, aiming to shake off the baggage of clubs with European migrant backgrounds. However, this background has been both a source of growth and a perceived weakness for the sport in Australia.
Migrants from the Middle East and the former Yugoslavia continued to boost interest in and participation in soccer during the 1970s and 1980s. The National Soccer League (NSL), founded in 1977, and the Australia Cup (1962-1968) contributed to the sport's popularity during this period. The NSL Cup, which ran from 1977 to 1997, included all teams that participated in a season of the National Soccer League. The NSL was later replaced by the A-League, which includes a women's, men's, and youth league.
Soccer remains a popular sport for both participants and spectators in Australia. As of 2024, there were over 1.9 million participants nationwide, with a significant increase in women and girls' participation. The sport is particularly popular among young Australians, with the participation rate in soccer second only to swimming among children up to 14 years old. However, the professional game faces financial and organisational challenges, which may contribute to lower viewership and attendance. Despite these issues, soccer clubs at the grassroots level are booming, with increasing numbers of junior and senior teams and challenges in managing space and facilities.
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The Socceroos
The sport of soccer in Australia has been heavily influenced by migrant players and supporters, particularly from southern European, Middle Eastern, and former Yugoslavian countries. In the 1950s and 1960s, the most prominent soccer clubs in Australian cities were based around migrant-ethnic groups, including Croatian, Greek, Macedonian, and Italian communities. Australia became a FIFA member in 1956 through the Australian Soccer Association, and in 1966, it became a founding member of the Oceania Football Federation (now the Oceania Football Confederation).
Despite the popularity of soccer as a participation sport in Australia, with over 1.2 million Australians playing the sport in 2022, the professional game faces challenges. The A-League, which began in 2005, has been criticised for its high costs and resistance to change, with low attendance numbers and a perceived disconnect from the sport's roots in European migrant communities.
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Frequently asked questions
According to Football Australia, there were approximately 1.9 million soccer players in Australia in 2024. This number included both adults and children and represented an 11% increase from 2023.
In 2023, approximately 1.2 million Australians aged 15 and over played soccer. Another source estimates that the number of adults playing soccer in Australia in 2023 was 1.37 million.
In 2024, 632,249 children played soccer in Australia.
Soccer is Australia's most participated team sport. In 2024, it had an overall participation per capita of 6.9%, higher than sports such as cricket, Australian rules football, rugby league, and rugby union.
