Everything Happening in Australian Soccer Right Now

Meta-description: What a time to be following the round ball game Down Under! Aussie soccer is riding a wave of momentum, and if you’ve been out of the loop, we can help.

The beautiful game has quietly become Australia’s participation powerhouse, with over 1.2 million adults lacing up their boots in 2022 alone. Among the ankle-biters, only swimming tops soccer’s popularity for kids under 14. The Matildas’ incredible World Cup run last year has only poured fuel on this fire, with record TV audiences and packed stadiums inspiring another surge at the grassroots level.

Our domestic competition, the A-League, has continued to evolve since its 2004 birth. The league now sports 12 teams (including our Kiwi cousins from across the ditch) and encompasses men’s, women’s, and youth competitions. While it might not have the glitz of Europe’s Big Five leagues, it serves as both entertainment and development pathway for local talent.

Speaking of talent, our national teams have been on quite the journey. The Socceroos have made six World Cup appearances since their 1974 debut, with their playing stocks spread between the A-League and overseas clubs in footballing powerhouses like Germany, England, and Italy. Though that elusive World Cup trophy remains a distant dream, each qualification brings new hope.

The real story, though, is how soccer has woven itself into our sporting fabric. Despite the usual drop-off in participation as people age – blame work, dodgy knees, or whatever else gets in the way – the sport’s cultural footprint continues to expand. From suburban parks on Saturday mornings to professional stadiums under lights, Australian soccer’s present is vibrant. And if current trends continue, its future might be even brighter.

The new dawn of Australian soccer

Soccer fans across Australia are bracing for the long-awaited second-tier competition that’s finally taking shape. Football Australia dropped the official announcement in February, introducing the Australian Championship – a fresh national competition bridging the gap between the A-League and state-based NPL competitions.

Set to kick off on October 10th this year; the Championship brings together 16 clubs in a format that’ll feel familiar to those who remember the old UEFA Champions League setup. The teams will battle it out in four groups of four, playing home-and-away fixtures before the top performers advance to the knockout rounds. It’s not the full home-and-away season many supporters hoped for, but it’s a solid starting point.

Eight “foundation clubs” form the backbone of this new competition, seven former NSL outfits knocking around state leagues since the A-League replaced their national competition back in 2004. APIA Leichhardt, Marconi Stallions, Preston Lions, South Melbourne, Sydney Olympic, Sydney United 58, and Wollongong Wolves all get another crack at the national stage, joined by Victorian side Avondale FC, who’ve earned their spot despite lacking NSL heritage. The remaining eight spots will go to the premiers of state NPL competitions, giving current state-league powerhouses their shot at glory.

While there’s no promotion and relegation link with the A-League (which remains separately run by the APL), this represents significant structural growth for Australian football. The competition runs from October to early December, culminating in a grand final on December 6th or 7th. This Championship represents both a homecoming and a new beginning for traditional clubs who’ve spent two decades in the wilderness.

The Matildas in 2025

The Matildas have become the unquestionable face of Australian soccer, capturing hearts nationwide during their heroic World Cup campaign. However, the national women’s team faces significant challenges as they prepare for upcoming fixtures against Argentina on May 30 and June 2.

The biggest concern surrounds superstar Sam Kerr, whose ACL injury in January 2024 has kept her sidelined longer than many hoped. Despite being included in Chelsea’s extended Champions League squad and even travelling to Australia for the previous Matildas camp, Kerr’s return remains frustratingly uncertain. Her Chelsea manager, Sonia Bompastor, recently gave a bleak update, suggesting Kerr might not feature at all before the WSL season concludes on May 10.

Adding to the team’s woes, dynamic attacker Mary Fowler is also out with her own ACL rupture. At the same time, Brisbane Roar’s Tameka Yallop suffered a hamstring injury during A-League Women’s finals action. These absences create serious selection headaches, with the Asian Cup looming on the horizon.

The timing couldn’t be more challenging for Kerr personally. With only a handful of international windows remaining before Australia hosts the Asian Cup next March and the WSL on break until September, opportunities for match fitness will be scarce. Meanwhile, Kerr is navigating life changes off the pitch, with partner Kristie Mewis expecting their first child in May.

Despite these setbacks, the Matildas’ popularity remains at an all-time high, with their performances continuing to inspire record participation numbers across Australian women’s soccer.

The milestone A-League Men 2024/25 season

The Isuzu UTE A-League Men competition is gearing up for a landmark 20th anniversary season, with fixtures now locked in for what promises to be the most ambitious campaign yet. Kicking off on the weekend of October 18-20, the 2024/25 season introduces several exciting developments across Australia and New Zealand.

Most notably, the competition expands to 13 teams with Auckland FC’s much-anticipated debut, creating the first-ever Kiwi derby in A-League history. The Auckland side, led by Sydney FC legend Steve Corica, will face Brisbane Roar in their inaugural match at GO Media Stadium, marking a significant milestone in the league’s evolution.

Round 1 doesn’t hold back on the drama, featuring a Grand Final rematch between Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Victory on Friday night, followed by a blockbuster Sydney Derby as Western Sydney Wanderers host Sydney FC at CommBank Stadium.

After that, the fixtures come thick and fast, with the Melbourne Derby highlighting Round 2 as Melbourne City take on Victory at AAMI Park. That same round sees Corica’s emotional reunion with his former club when Auckland hosts Sydney FC. By Round 3, we’ll witness history with the first all-New Zealand clash as Wellington Phoenix welcome their new compatriots to Sky Stadium on November 2.

To accommodate the expanded competition, the season stretches to 29 rounds, with each club playing 26 matches—24 home-and-away fixtures plus two additional matchups, including the popular Unite Round. The structure also includes three strategically placed bye weeks, prioritising clubs participating in the AFC continental competitions.

The finals series retains last season’s successful format, beginning with two Elimination Finals on May 9-11. Winners advance to two-legged semi-finals against the top two sides, with the Grand Final scheduled for the weekend of May 31-June 1, 2025.

Liverpool set for Melbourne showdown with A-League All-Stars

English football royalty is Melbourne-bound this May, with Liverpool FC expected to face an A-League All-Stars team in a marquee fixture at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Merseyside giants, who currently sit atop the Premier League table by a commanding margin, are understood to be finalising arrangements for an Australian tour following the conclusion of their domestic season. With Liverpool’s final league fixture against Crystal Palace scheduled for May 26, the club’s recent elimination from European competition has cleared the way for this southern hemisphere journey.

This blockbuster exhibition match would serve as a centrepiece to the A-League grand final week festivities, with the domestic season decider set for the May 31-June 1 weekend. Sources suggest the Australian Professional Leagues and Victorian government officials have been exploring options with several European heavyweights, though Liverpool was always the preferred candidate.

The Reds are no strangers to Australian shores, having previously toured in 2013, 2015, and 2017. Their last MCG appearance drew a staggering 95,000 fans when they defeated Melbourne Victory 2-0 a decade ago. Subsequent visits saw crowds of over 50,000 in Brisbane and Adelaide, while their 2017 clash with Sydney FC attracted nearly 73,000 supporters to Stadium Australia.

Football fans will be salivating at the prospect of seeing manager Arne Slot’s star-studded squad in action, potentially featuring Egyptian maestro Mohamed Salah, commanding Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk, and Brazilian shot-stopper Alisson Becker. The match would follow last year’s successful format, which saw Newcastle United face an A-League All-Stars side after their friendly against Tottenham Hotspur.

With three Victorian clubs currently positioned in the A-League top six, there’s increasing speculation the grand final itself could also take place in Melbourne, creating a football festival atmosphere in Australia’s sporting capital throughout late May.

Where to get the best soccer Australia tickets for all events

As you can see by the information above, soccer is kicking off in Australia – literally. The best way to keep up with what is happening is by bookmarking the official Queen of Tickets soccer Australia tickets page. We always have the best seats to the best games at the best prices. Hard to find tickets? Not with us. Let’s get you front and centre for all the action now.