auAustralian Championship

Second Australian tier, introduced in 2025 — 16 clubs in group and knockout stages, a path to professional football for clubs outside the A-League.

Links

Australian Championship
Australian Championship ladder on the competition's official website — Australia's national second tier
australianchampionship.com.au
Adelaide City FC
The city of Adelaide — three-time champions of the former Australian National Soccer League (NSL), making their Australian Championship debut in 2026.
adelaidecityfc.com.au
Avondale FC
The city of Melbourne — one of the founding clubs of the Australian Championship.
avondalefc.com.au
Bayswater City SC
The city of Perth (Western Australia) — multiple champions of the NPL Western Australia.
bayswatercitysc.com.au
Broadmeadow Magic FC
The city of Newcastle (New South Wales) — playing in the National Premier Leagues Northern NSW.
instagram.com
Canberra Croatia FC
The city of Canberra — a club with Croatian roots, who completed a treble in 2018 (league, finals series and cup).
facebook.com
Lions FC
The city of Brisbane (Richlands) — founded in 1957, 2026 NPL Queensland premiers, making their Australian Championship debut in 2026.
lionsfootballclub.com.au
Marconi Stallions FC
The city of Sydney (Bossley Park) — a club with Italian roots, finalists of the inaugural Australian Championship 2025.
facebook.com
Oakleigh Cannons FC
The city of Melbourne (Oakleigh) — 2026 NPL Victoria premiers and 2024 NPL Victoria champions, making their Australian Championship debut in 2026.
facebook.com
Preston Lions FC
The city of Melbourne (Reservoir) — founded in 1947, one of the oldest clubs in the state of Victoria.
facebook.com
South Hobart FC
The city of Hobart (Tasmania) — founded in 1910, also known for having a leadership long dominated by women.
southhobartfc.com
South Melbourne FC
The city of Melbourne — nicknamed "Hellas", a club with Greek roots, inaugural winners of the Australian Championship 2025.
smfc.com.au
Sutherland Sharks FC
The city of Sydney (Sutherland Shire) — the 2026 Australian Championship is the club's first national competition in 96 years, home games at Seymour Shaw.
sharksfc.com.au
Sydney Olympic FC
The city of Sydney — a club with Greek roots, former participant of the defunct National Soccer League (NSL).
sydneyolympicfc.com
Sydney United 58 FC
The city of Sydney (Edensor Park) — a club with Croatian roots, founded in 1958.
facebook.com
Wests APIA FC
The city of Sydney (Leichhardt) — a club with Italian roots, winners of group D in 2025.
apialeichhardt.football
Wollongong Wolves FC
The city of Wollongong (New South Wales) — a former club of the defunct National Soccer League (NSL), a founding club of the Australian Championship.
wollongongwolves.com.au