Canberra United A-League Men’s debut delayed to 2025/26 season

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Canberra have been dealt a cruel blow in their bid to have an A-League Men’s side, with the A-League confirming that the expansion bid wouldn’t be viable for season 2024/25.

A-Leagues commissioner Nick Garcia has however backed Canberra United to join as the 14th team in the league for the 2025/26 season, following the announcement of Auckland FC as the 13th.

Initially, the goal was to have a 14 team league for 2024/25 to avoid any fixture difficulties with a bye, however the lack of movement surrounding funding for a team in the capital halted those ideas.

The group behind an expansion bid “aren’t able to stand up a team in time for season 2024-25” and frustratingly, fans in the ACT are made to wait another 12 months to see a team they were promised a long time ago.

A-Leagues commissioner Nick Garcia discussed the next steps the league will take to ensure the team stands up and is sustainable long term.

“We are still in discussion with a preferred consortium for an A-League licence in Canberra, but they aren’t able to stand up a team in time for season 2024-25,” he said in a press conference confirming the news.

“The ACT has a fantastic football fanbase, and we remain committed to Canberra and a 14th A-League team. We want to give new owners the proper runway to set up a team to ensure long-term success.

“The preferred consortium has the right capability – a mix of European top-flight experience, and local Canberra knowledge and relationships – and we continue to work with them.”

The APL had hoped to raise $100m in franchise fees – $25m per club – from Canberra, Auckland and two other sides by the start of the 2025-26 season.

This news comes not long after Canberra United Women’s team were saved by a crucial $200,000 investment by the ACT government and Capital Football were confirmed to be owning the team for the next season.

It is all a bit unorganised from the A-Leagues and the failure to start this Canberra Men’s team will create a bit of fixture difficulty with a bye that compromises the schedule.

The success of Auckland FC is vital for the A-League to be correct in their decision to delay Canberra United and both teams will need to hit the ground running on and off the field to save any embarrassment.

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A-Leagues partners with Champion Data to enhance broadcast experience

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The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) has appointed Champion Data as its official broadcast graphics partner in a three-season agreement designed to enhance coverage of the Isuzu UTE A-League Men and Ninja A-League Women. The partnership will introduce Champion Data’s live graphics technology across broadcasts on Network 10 and Paramount+, delivering real-time statistics, scores and visual insights to help fans follow the action.

Champion Data will use its proprietary GGi platform to connect match data with broadcast graphics and production workflows. The system will support the delivery of clear, engaging information throughout matches, giving viewers greater insight into key moments and performances. The agreement also strengthens the APL’s commitment to improving the broadcast presentation of women’s football. Champion Data will bring the Ninja A-League Women’s production standards into alignment with the men’s competition, supporting a more consistent viewing experience across both leagues.

The APL expects the partnership to enrich its broadcast offering as audiences seek deeper insights and more engaging ways to follow Australian football. The new graphics package will help viewers understand match developments, track statistics and connect with the stories unfolding on the pitch. Champion Data will manage technical delivery, train broadcast operators and provide live matchday support throughout the agreement. This end-to-end approach will help production teams deliver accurate information and consistent graphics across both competitions.

The partnership builds on Champion Data’s experience in sports data collection, analytics and broadcast technology. They currently provide statistics for the AFL, V8 Supercars and Tennis Australia alongside many others. By integrating live match information with on-screen graphics, the company will help bring the tactical detail and drama of A-Leagues football to television and streaming audiences.

As the APL continues to develop its broadcast product across television and digital platforms. The partnership positions Champion Data as a key technology provider for the next three seasons. The collaboration will combine data expertise and broadcast innovation to improve how fans experience Australian football, bringing greater clarity, context and insight to every match.

Holman Barnes Group formalises Central Coast Mariners investment

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The Central Coast Mariners have formalised a new ownership and operating structure with Holman Barnes Group (HBG), giving the club greater certainty across its men’s, women’s and academy programs.

Confirmed on 16 October, the agreements see HBG become a minority investor in the entity responsible for the Mariners’ A-League Men’s and academy operations, while also taking operational responsibility for the A-League Women’s team under a separate agreement.

The move builds on HBG’s earlier commitment to take over the women’s program, which faced an uncertain future following changes to the club’s ownership arrangements earlier this year.

HBG brings experience across sport, hospitality and community businesses, including its majority stake in NRL club Wests Tigers and its involvement with NPL club APIA Leichhardt.

Mariners chairman Ruben Gnanalingam welcomed the formalisation of the partnership.

“These guys are a smart, sport-focused, local organisation and who we believe will demonstrate have the nous and relationships to help maximise the chances of CCM having success on all fronts,” Gnanalingam said.

HBG CEO Daniel Paton said the group saw significant potential across the club’s programs.

“We’ve always believed in the power of sport to bring communities together and create opportunities, and we see enormous potential in what we can achieve together across the men’s, women’s and Academy programs,” Paton said.

The structure provides a distinctive model in Australian sport, with HBG holding interests across both an NRL licence and an A-League club’s operations.

The group is also developing the Mariners Club, a venue beside polytec Stadium, with proceeds intended to support the women’s team adding a potential community and hospitality revenue stream to its involvement.

The challenge now is to turn the new structure into sustainable investment, stronger player pathways and long-term stability across the Mariners’ programs.

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