The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) have confirmed that Canberra and Auckland will be the A-Leagues’ preferred markets for the next round of expansion for the 2024-2025 season.
The decision was based on judging key criteria in areas such as potential fan-base, appropriate stadia, whether or not it would cannibalise existing fans and expanding the competitions’ footprint.
The A-League Men’s competition is set to further expand by the 2025-2026 season, with a further two teams to join the league. Expansion candidates are understood to include a second team in Brisbane, Wollongong, Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast and Tasmania.
“We’re focused on building really strong sustainable clubs into the future, and we definitely think Canberra and Auckland fit that bill,” APL CEO Danny Townsend said.
“We want to go and look at all the things that you need to deliver a really successful football club… so we can sort of build a club in a box, and then find the right owner for the box.
“We’ve got under-served markets as the priority in this round…next round… we’re certainly looking at derbies (as a reason for expansion).”
AAFC Chairman Nick Galatas, in response to the A-Leagues announcement, stated to Soccerscene:
“The A-Leagues have always said they want to expand, so I understand their decision in that context,” he said.
“Having said that, that was before the new NSD was firmly in the works and it comes at a time when Football Australia has also flagged it aims to expand the number of strong clubs in the country, by means of a new national second tier.
“In doing that, Football Australia has called for EOI’s from clubs with a demonstrated tradition and contribution to the game with a connection to their community – whereas the A-League is proposing to expand by creating new, private entities and then deciding on a location or territory for them.
“My concern is about how the two diametrically opposite, and perhaps competing, approaches to building strong clubs will be incorporated into a coherent strategy, allowing unification of our tiers consistent with FA’s stated objectives.”
Canberra will be returning to the national men’s top league for the first time in over 20 years with the Cosmos folding in 2001, while the Auckland-based Football Kings folded back in 2004.