APL announce extended Liberty A-League season and 12th team for 2023/24

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The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) have today announced that the Liberty A-League Women’s competition will become a 12-team competition, with a full home and away schedule of 22 rounds by the 2023-24 season.

This investment brings the professional game in Australia in line with global standards for match minutes, and is part of a broader strategy to ensure a lasting legacy for the game following the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023TM.

Western United will officially join in season 2022-23 for a 20-round competition, and Central Coast Mariners have been given a provisional licence by APL and, subject to FA Board approval, will become the 12th team for 2023-24, taking the league to 22 rounds and a total of 132 matches.

A-Leagues CEO Danny Townsend said via press release:

“In the 18-months since we have been running the professional game in Australia, we will increase the number of regular season matches from 70 to 132, finally bringing Australia in line with global benchmarks and ensuring more opportunities for women to play at the highest level and for girls to benefit from the role models and expanded professional pathways this investment creates.”

“We are just 12-months out from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and we want to make sure that every girl and woman in Australia has the opportunity to build and grow a lasting relationship with football, the country’s most participated in sport.”

The changes to the Liberty A-League follow close consultation with players and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) and will lead to the minimum salary in the competition increasing by more than 50% over the next two years.

Kate Gill, Co-Chief Executive of PFA, said via press release:

“Today represents a significant step forward for women’s football in Australia that not only brings to life the players’ vision for a full home and away competition, but indicates the APL’s intent and belief in growing the women’s game.”

“Thanks to the genuine partnership with the APL, the players have played a central role in helping to design a competition that delivers meaningful employment, a professional career path and a strong and sustainable league that will develop the next generation of Australian talent.”

Liberty Chief Executive Officer James Boyle added the expansion of the Liberty A-League competition was welcome news that Liberty was proud to celebrate as naming rights sponsor.

“We’re passionate about championing women in sport and the growth of the Liberty A-League helps to elevate the profile of women’s football. The more women role models in the professional sporting arena, such as the A-Leagues, the richer the opportunities for future generations. APL shares our pioneering spirit and culture of diversity as it continues to take strides towards creating a more inclusive sport. We are proud to share with the A-Leagues our passion – and action – for fostering gender equality on and off the field.”

Chief Operating Officer of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Jane Fernandez said via press release:

“Huge congratulations to APL for this growth, and it really does follow the growth trajectory of women’s football right around the world.

“This is a once in a generation opportunity. We are heading towards Qatar, where the Socceroos have just qualified to play. Then we move towards the expanded Liberty A-League, with the Grand Final to be held right on the eve of the expanded FIFA Women’s World Cup with, for the first time, 32 teams playing in the competition.

“The benefits and the opportunities are huge, and it’s not just for the players, there are benefits also for those who want to volunteer, to coach and to be leaders in our game.”

This is the second expansion announcement in twelve months, following the addition of Wellington Phoenix’s women’s team in 2021. APL also signed an historic 5-year CBA last year, and launched the Club Championship trophy, designed to encourage better fan engagement with women’s football.

The expanded and extended 2022/23 Liberty A-League season kicks off on 18th November 2022 and all matches will be broadcast live on Network 10 and Paramount+, the Australian home of football.

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APL and PFA remain without agreement as bargaining tensions continue

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Image Credit: A-Leagues

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) remain without a new collective bargaining agreement, with negotiations continuing less than three months before the start of the 2026–27 A-Leagues season.

The APL presented the players’ union with a new one-year interim proposal on August 5, which included an increase to the A-League Women salary cap and a commitment to establish a pathway towards full-time professionalism for the women’s competition within 12 months.

The proposed agreement would provide an interim framework while the two parties continue discussions over a longer-term collective bargaining agreement.

APL chief executive Steve Rosich said the proposal reflected the league’s commitment to reaching a sustainable agreement with players following eight months of negotiations.

However, the PFA criticised the APL for publicly announcing the proposal shortly after presenting it to the union, arguing that the approach had further damaged trust between the two parties.

PFA Chief Executive Beau Busch also said players had overwhelmingly rejected the APL’s previous final offer, citing a lack of trust in the league’s ability to ensure its future.

Full-time professionalism for the A-League Women remains a key priority for the PFA, with players seeking improved conditions and greater investment in the competition.

The A-League Men and A-League Women seasons are both scheduled to begin on 16 October 2026.

With the new season approaching, both parties face pressure to resolve the dispute and establish the framework governing player conditions across the A-Leagues.

 

 

Wyndham City Council cancels stadium deal with Western United

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Image credit: Western United

Following the decision this week to terminate Western United’s Club Participation Agreement – and its involvement in the A-Leagues – the proposed stadium deal now faces an uncertain future.

 

Terminated deal, terminated dream

The plan to build a 15,000-capacity stadium in Western Melbourne – one which has remained in development for over five years – now faces collapse after its proposed tenant will no longer play in the A-Leagues.

Although the $150 million project confirmed a location in Tarneit, as well as establishing partnerships with YourLand Developments and Johnson Controls to propel the vision into reality, building work never began.

Thus, what started as an ambitious project full of potential for Melbourne’s western suburbs, now faces its biggest obstacle yet.

“While this is not the outcome we had hoped for when we entered the agreement, we have a responsibility to make decisions that serve the best interests of our ratepayers, and the decision to terminate this agreement reflects that commitment,” said Wyndham City Council via a media statement.

In addition to being a disappointing development to all parties, the decision serves as a reminder that the football landscape can impact what happens far beyond the limits of the pitch.

 

Facing uncertainty

Following the Australian Professional Leagues’ (APL) decision to terminate the club’s Participation Agreement, Western United is staring into a worrying future.

Throughout the 2025/26 season, the club entered a ‘hibernation’ period, which attempted to resolve financial and legal issues following the liquidation of its owners, WMG Football Club Limited.

In the end, however, Western United’s years in ownership and governance turmoil proved too difficult to navigate, culminating in its removal from the A-League.

But despite the immense disappointment for all players, coaches and staff within the organisation, Western United is standing firm in its optimism.

“This creates an opportunity for new custodians, new investment and a fresh start,” the club said via an official statement.

“The objective must now be to preserve Western United’s identity in Melbourne’s west and work towards a return to the A-League for the 2027/28 season.”

Hope is something which Western United supporters and players have struggled to believe in in recent years, but perhaps this week’s announcement arrives with a silver lining: a chance for a complete reset, rebirth and rebuild.

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