What is Unite Round? How does it work? Key questions answered

A-Leagues All Access return this Thursday! Here's your first look at a special Episode 1 about our returning Matildas heroes.

Sydney will play host to all 12 Isuzu UTE A-League Men and Liberty A-League Women matches between Friday 12 January and Sunday 14 January, when the A-Leagues become the first leagues to celebrate a full men’s and women’s round in a single city.

The ‘Unite Round’ is being introduced for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, as the APL’s partnership with Destination NSW enters its second year.

During ‘Unite Round’, double-header matches will be hosted at Allianz Stadium, CommBank Stadium and Leichhardt Oval, and grassroots tournaments for junior boys and girls will take place at venues across Sydney.

ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE ROUND 1 THIS WEEKEND: Get your tickets here!

A live site at Moore Park will also feature a fan park and viewing party for the AFC Asian Cup match in Qatar between Australia and India’s men’s teams on Saturday 13 January at 10:30pm AEDT.

Read on for the answers to some of the key questions you might have.

What is Unite Round?

Unite Round is the ultimate ‘away day’ for all football fans. There will be 12 games; six Isuzu UTE A-League Men matches and six Liberty A-League Women matches held between 12-14 January 2024 at Allianz Stadium, Commbank Stadium and Leichhardt Oval.

Click here to register your interest for Unite Round

GLORY OWNERSHIP UPDATE: Primeland Group-led consortium announced as new owners of Perth Glory Football Club

SIGN UP FOR A-LEAGUES FANTASY & TIPPING

What are the fixtures within the round and how is it structured?

The games have been structured as double headers at each stadium.

As such, on Friday 12 January there will be an Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s double header at Commbank Stadium and a Liberty A-League Women double header at Leichhardt Oval.

CONFIRMED: 2023-24 A-League Finals structure & dates
ANNOUNCEMENT: First ever A-Leagues Unite Round to take place this season

On Saturday 13 January there will be an Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s double header at Allianz Stadium and a Liberty A-League Women double header at Leichhardt Oval.

Finally, on Sunday both the Men’s and Women’s competitions will Unite together and a double header will be played across both competitions at Allianz Stadium and Leichhardt Oval.

View the complete A-League Men fixture here
View the complete A-League Women fixture here

The Fixture Schedule

FRIDAY 12 JANUARY

Isuzu UTE A-League Men
Macarthur FC v Western United FC
Friday 12 January
Commbank Stadium
Kick-off: TBC

Isuzu UTE A-League Men
Melbourne City FC v Western Sydney Wanderers
Friday 12 January
Commbank Stadium
TBC

Liberty A-League Women
Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory FC
Friday 12 January
Leichhardt Oval
TBC

Liberty A-League Women
Wellington Phoenix v Central Coast Mariners
Friday 12 January
Leichhardt Oval
TBC

SATURDAY 13 JANUARY

Isuzu UTE A-League Men
Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne Victory
Saturday 13 January
Allianz Stadium
TBC

Isuzu UTE A-League Men
Adelaide United v Sydney FC
Saturday 13 January
Allianz Stadium
TBC

Liberty A-League Women
Canberra United v Adelaide United
Saturday 13 January
Leichhardt Oval
TBC

Liberty A-League Women
Brisbane Roar v Newcastle Jets FC
Saturday 13 January
Leichhardt Oval
TBC

SUNDAY 14 JANUARY

Liberty A-League Women
Western United v Sydney FC
Sunday 14 January
Allianz Stadium
TBC

Isuzu UTE A-League Men
Sunday 14 January
Newcastle Jets v Brisbane Roar
Allianz Stadium
TBC

Liberty A-League Women
Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne City
Sunday 14 January
CommBank Stadium
TBC

Isuzu UTE A-League Men
Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory
Sunday 14 January
Leichhardt Oval
TBC

Click here to find a membership package at your favourite A-Leagues club

How does Unite Round factor into the existing season calendars?

For the Isuzu UTE A-League Men, Unite Round will be an additional round – making it a 27-game regular season. The existing Round 12 fixtures are being moved to new dates and times. For the Liberty A-League Women, Unite Round will use the existing Round 12 fixtures, keeping the season as a 22-game regular season.

Does that mean some Liberty A-League Women teams will lose hosting rights for one home game?

Yes, for this season that is the case. However the A-Leagues will be working with all home clubs to ensure the home team receives the treatment of being the home club.

Ticketing & Membership

Can I attend games during Unite Round with my club Membership?

As this is an additional 27th round for the Isuzu UTE A-League Men, club memberships do not grant you access to any Isuzu UTE A-League matches during Unite Round. All Club Members will be provided with a Member discount to purchase tickets, similar to the Finals Series.

As Unite Round is an existing round for the Liberty A-League Women (Round 12), home team ALW Club Members will be provided access to their team’s home game at no additional cost. Access details will be provided to Liberty A-League Women members closer to the round.

Can I get into the Liberty A-League Women’s games using my Liberty A-League Pass?

Yes – Liberty A-League Pass holders will be able to attend the Liberty A-League Women’s games across the weekend. Details on how Liberty Pass holders can access games will be provided closer to the round.

When are tickets on sale?

Tickets are set to go on sale at 10am Monday 6 November. All Club Members will receive access to discounted tickets for games across the whole weekend.

Fans looking at travel packages or hospitality can register their interest here with packages on sale from Monday 13 November.

How much will tickets cost?

The A-Leagues is currently working through the most cost-effective ticket packages for all fan bases of all clubs. Note that all events will be sold as double headers, with the intention for Members to be provided with discounted access.

SIGN UP FOR A-LEAGUES FANTASY HERE

The Finals

What does this announcement mean for the 2024 and 2025 A-Leagues Grand Finals?

Both the Isuzu UTE A-League Men and Liberty A-League Women Grand Finals will return to their previous hosting format, which means being hosted by the highest ranked Semi Final winner.

Does this impact the timing and structure of the finals?

This does not change the structure of the Finals Series for both the Liberty A-League Women and Isuzu UTE A-League Men.

Note, as announced at the start of the season, with the Central Coast Mariners rejoining the Liberty A-League Women as the twelfth team, the Finals Series has been expanded from four to six teams, with the format to mirror the Isuzu UTE A-League Men.

What are the confirmed dates for finals?

ALW Finals Series

  • Week 1 (Elimination Finals): Fri 12 – Sun 14 April 2024
  • Week 2 (Semi Final – Leg 1): Fri 19 – Sun 21 April 2024
  • Week 3 (Semi Final – Leg 2): Fri 26 – Sun 28 April 2024
  • Week 4 (Grand Final): Fri 3, Sat 4 or Sun 5 May 2024

ALM Finals Series

  • Week 1 (Elimination Finals): Fri 3 – Sun 5 May 2024
  • Week 2 (Semi Final – Leg 1): Fri 10 – Sun 12 May 2024
  • Week 3 (Semi Final – Leg 2): Fri 17 – Sun 19 May 2024
  • Week 4 (Grand Final): Fri 24, Sat 25 or Sun 26 May 2024

SIGN UP FOR A-LEAGUES FANTASY HERE

Featured image credit: Rachel Bach @bythewhiteline