Sydney FC Announces New Strategic Partnership With Trip.com for 2025/26 Season

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Credit: Sydney FC Facebook

Sydney FC have confirmed a partnership with Trip.com for the A-League 2025/26 season. 

Trip.com is one of the world’s leading online travel platforms, and the collaboration will give Sydney FC members access to exclusive travel discounts and other special offers. 

Matt Pound, Sydney FC General Manager of Commercial and Marketing, said the partnership directly correlates to the club’s future goals. 

“We’re delighted to team up with Trip.com, a global leader in travel technology and innovation,” said Pound.

“Our members love to travel, whether following the Sky Blues around Australia or exploring new destinations, and we are thrilled to be able to offer them discounts thanks to Trip.com, making their journey simpler, smart and more rewarding.”

Kevin Lu, Territory Manager for Trip.com Oceania also commented on the partnership, 

“We are thrilled to partner with Sydney FC, a club that embodies passion and global ambition, as we bring exclusive travel opportunities to their dedicated fans.

“This collaboration perfectly aligns with Trip.com’s mission to make travel seamless and exciting, and we look forward to helping Sky Blues supporters explore the world with the same energy they bring to every match.”

Trip.com’s local and international advertisements will also be featured across Sydney FC’s digital channels through the season. 

With the partnership spanning the full 2025/26 campaign, the initiative reinforces Sydney FC’s commitment to enhancing the supporter experience both on and off the pitch.

By connecting fans with a trusted global travel provider, Sydney FC aims to add greater value to its membership program while strengthening its ties to the community. 

The collaboration also reflects a growing trend in world football of integrating lifestyle-focused partners into club ecosystems, highlighting the broader vision to serve fans beyond match day. 

With exclusive offers, integrated digital activations and shared ambitions around innovation and growth, both Sydney FC and Trip.com are confident the partnership will deliver meaningful benefits throughout the season ahead.

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SBS expands Australian Championship broadcast coverage for 2026

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Image Credits: Football Australia

The Australian Championship will enter its second season with an expanded broadcast partnership between Football Australia and SBS. The 2026 competition will feature two live SBS broadcasts in every round, marking an increase from the tournament’s debut season.

Thursday night football will form a key part of the new broadcast schedule. The opening match will see Preston Lions face Wollongong Wolves on October 15th, with the game broadcast live on SBS2 and SBS On Demand. Saturday football will also remain part of the free-to-air schedule; first up, Sutherland Sharks’ clash with South Melbourne on October 17th will be shown live on SBS and SBS On Demand.

The expanded agreement gives the competition a greater presence across SBS’s linear channels while retaining its full streaming coverage, with every match across the 2026 Australian Championship available live on SBS On Demand. The platform also provides full replays and highlights for viewers to access at their discretion.

In addition to SBS’ coverage, Football Australia will also stream the competition via YouTube.

The Australian Championship consists of a six-round group stage, finals beginning at quarter-finals from November 26, and a Grand Final scheduled currently between December 10-12.

It features 16 clubs from seven states and territories. The broadcast schedule places several historic fixtures in front of a national audience: South Melbourne will meet Sydney United 58 in a repeat of the 1999 NSL Grand Final, and Sydney Olympic and Marconi Stallions will also renew a rivalry that includes NSL Grand Final meetings in 1989 and 1990.

GIS Sydney continues to connect students with Australia’s sports industry

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Image Credits: Global Institute of Sport

Following the launch of its Sydney campus in 2025, the Global Institute of Sport (GIS) is continuing to establish itself in the nation’s sports industry. A leading provider of degrees and executive education in sport, GIS provides students the chance to study at two of Australia’s biggest sporting venues: Allianz Stadium and the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Programs such as Sports Analytics and International Sports Business are delivered in collaboration with the University of Newcastle, and feature the chance for students to gain exclusive access to the sports industry.

More than 50 guest speakers have shared their experience with students studying at GIS Sydney, representing organisations like FIFA, Red Bull, Cricket Australia, and the AFL. While learning about the regional and national sports industry in the classroom, students have also had the chance to gain an international perspective through GIS’ signature Global Sports Summits, which have given Sydney students access to iconic sporting venues around the world from London to Miami.

Outside of the iconic venues students can call their classrooms, the organisation prioritises the real, industry placements needed to put theory into practice by providing each student with 140 hours of relevant work experience throughout their studies. Included in this are several sporting organisations who are keen to welcome GIS students on board, including the Professional Football Scouts Association (PFSA), Football Coaches Australia, and Basketball NSW.

GIS also has a partnership with popular network and app Yakka Sport to connect students with paid employment opportunities while they study.

Behind these advancements at the GIS Sydney campus is an Industry Advisory Board which features a host of experienced figures from the world of sport. Included in the Asia-Pacific branch is Chair James Rosengarten, GM of the Melbourne Renegades; Kevin Jang, Managing Director of CAA Stellar Korea; and Brad Lloyd, GM of the Carlton Football Club.

Since launching, GIS’ Sydney campus has ultimately combined its locations and industry connections to provide the next generation of sports professionals with the knowledge, network, and confidence to tackle the rapidly evolving sports industry.

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