The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup has come to a close – but the football action in Australia and New Zealand is just getting started.
Come the weekend of October 13-15, the 2023-24 Liberty A-League campaign will commence; there’s a new club and a full home-and-away regular season to look forward to, as well as watching the emergence of the next generation of Matildas and Football Ferns alongside some of the stars of the 2023 World Cup.
With the Liberty Pass enabling kids under-16 able to attend games for free, and every game streamed live and free on 10Play in the longest campaign in the competition’s history, the A-League Women is set to break new ground in 2023-24. Here’s how you can get on board.
UPDATE TO CBA: APL & PFA’s six big Liberty A-League updates as salary cap goes up 20%: full details
UNDER 16? GO FREE! Liberty A-League Pass is back for 2023-24: Under-16s go FREE to A-League Women!
CALLING ALL YOUNG FANS: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE LIBERTY A-LEAGUE PASS
When does the season start?
The season is set to begin on the weekend of October 14. The league’s Grand Final will take place in May 2024, in line with the planned finish of the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s campaign.
TRANSFER HUB: Liberty A-League 2023-24 Transfer Centre: Your club’s ins/outs
The opening round will be a standalone celebration of women’s football as the A-Leagues aim to break domestic attendance records after the history-making FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The A-League Women season will start before the A-League Men for the first time ever, and Central Coast Mariners will launch their brand new women’s team. This Liberty A-League season will also be the longest season in history, with a 22-game regular season, in line with global benchmarks.
What’s new this season?
Central Coast Mariners are back in the Liberty A-League for 2023-24. The Gosford club last took part in the league in 2009, launching the careers of the likes of Matildas greats Kyah Simon and Teresa Polias.
The Mariners return with Emily Husband as the club’s head coach, who has already begun shaping her squad by signing Annalise Rasmussen, Bianca Galic, Rola Badawiya, Sarah Langman, Isabel Gomez, Annabel Martin, Maya Lobo, Tess Quiglan, and Peta Trimis.
With the return of Central Coast, the league is expanded to 12 teams – and for the first time in history, a full home-and-away regular season of 22 rounds.
Upon the confirmation of the starting dates of the 2023-24 campaign, A-Leagues commissioner Nick Garcia said the introduction of the Mariners and subsequent season expansion were vital to taking the development of the next generation of Matildas to new heights.
“Every player in the Matildas squad came through the A-League – on average each playing 85 games – and it is imperative we continue to expand our league and provide more opportunities to play, as the Liberty A-League continues to be the proven pathway for international football,” Garcia said.
“With the addition of the Central Coast Mariners this season, we are looking forward to another history-making season for the league.”
Along with the expanded season come six big updates to the collective bargaining agreement between the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA). The updated CBA includes a 20% salary cap increase, the introduction of youth development contracts and an increase in each club’s foreign player quote.
READ MORE: APL & PFA’s six big Liberty A-League updates as salary cap goes up 20%: full details
What is the Liberty pass?
Under 16 and love football? You can go to the Liberty A-League for FREE this season.
For the home games of all clubs bar Perth Glory and Wellington Phoenix this season, kids under 16 can show their Liberty Pass at the gates and get in free of charge. Signing up is simple; visit this link and fill out your details to receive your digital pass within days, and your physical pass by mail to your nominated postal address.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE LIBERTY PASS
CLICK HERE TO BUY A LIBERTY A-LEAGUE CLUB MEMBERSHIP
UPDATE TO CBA: APL & PFA’s six big Liberty A-League updates as salary cap goes up 20%: full details
UNDER 16? GO FREE! Liberty A-League Pass is back for 2023-24: Under-16s go FREE to A-League Women!
CALLING ALL YOUNG FANS: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE LIBERTY A-LEAGUE PASS
How do I become a member?
The Women’s World Cup is helping to generate unprecedented levels of interest in the domestic league; two months out from the season, Sydney FC – home of Matildas winger Cortnee Vine – reported record membership numbers off the back of a savvy advertising campaign run throughout the tournament.
And all clubs are following suit as the league ramps up its promotion ahead of an imminent fixture release.
To become a member you can visit each club’s website, or click here to access KEEPUP’s portal to each individual club’s membership links.
CLICK HERE TO BUY A LIBERTY A-LEAGUE CLUB MEMBERSHIP
Want to buy tickets?
The A-League Women fixture will be released the week after the Women’s World Cup has concluded. Standby for the announcement.
