Your 2023-24 A-Leagues season preview: fixtures, signings, kits, fantasy & more

This is everything you need to know to get up to speed for the new A-Leagues campaign.

This October, the A-Leagues return.

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup ignited a spark in Australians across the country and with record membership numbers tumbling in the off-season, there’s excitement aplenty as we build toward the 2023-24 A-Leagues season.

There’s a particular buzz for the upcoming Liberty A-League Women season following the World Cup, where a Matildas squad made up entirely of A-Leagues stars past and present reached the semi-finals – one of the great accomplishments in Australian football history.

In the Isuzu UTE A-League Men, Melbourne City and Central Coast Mariners return as Premiers and Champions respectively heading into 2023-24, with Sydney FC holding both the Premiership and Championship trophies in the A-League Women.

There are new signings aplenty across both leagues, including a number of Matildas returning to the A-League Women after the success of the World Cup, plus four clubs competing in Asia as we prepare for the domestic action to get underway in mid-October.

Before the start of the Liberty A-League season (October 14) and Isuzu UTE A-League season (October 20), KEEPUP brings you a comprehensive guide to all the key dates, new signings, kits, membership and ticket details, fantasy, tipping and how to watch all the action.

LOVED THE WORLD CUP? Here’s how to enjoy the Liberty A-League Women incl. FREE tickets for U16’s

Under 16? Go FREE! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE LIBERTY A-LEAGUE PASS
JOIN YOUR CLUB NOW: CLICK HERE TO BUY A LIBERTY A-LEAGUE CLUB MEMBERSHIP

SEASON DATES

For the first time in history, the Liberty A-League season will kick-off before the Isuzu UTE A-League, with a starting date of October 14.

The standalone celebration of women’s football will feature multiple fixtures moved to larger venues – including a Sydney Derby and the return of Central Coast Mariners to the league in an F3 Derby clash with Newcastle Jets at Industree Group Stadium.

The Isuzu UTE A-League season will commence the following weekend on Friday, October 20.

The Liberty A-League and Isuzu UTE A-League Finals Series will both conclude in May 2024. With the addition of a 12th team, the Liberty A-League Finals Series has been expanded from four to six teams, with the format to mirror the Isuzu UTE A-League.

The Liberty A-League Grand Final is set to take place on the weekend of May 4-5, while the Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final is set to take place on the weekend of 25-26 May.

TALKING POINTS: FULL A-Leagues fixtures released – What you need to know & key talking points

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE LIBERTY PASS
CLICK HERE TO BUY A LIBERTY A-LEAGUE CLUB MEMBERSHIP

FIXTURES

The F3 Derby. The Big Blue. The Distance Derby. The Original Rivalry. And that’s just to name a few of the major fixtures on the A-Leagues agenda.

The 2023-24 A-Leagues calendar is scattered with titanic matchups and classic rivalries. Here’s a few listed below – otherwise, you can check out the complete A-League Men fixture, as well as the full Liberty A-League fixture.

A-LEAGUE MEN DERBY DATES: The biggest Isuzu UTE A-League matches to put in your diary NOW
A-LEAGUE WOMEN DERBY DATES: The biggest Liberty A-League matches to put in your diary NOW

Notable A-League Men fixtures

Round 2: ‘Distance Derby’, Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory – Saturday October 28th, Sky Stadium at 3:30pm AEDT
Round 3: Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United – Saturday November 4th, AAMI Park at 7:45pm AEDT
Round 5: ‘F3 Derby’, Newcastle Jets v Central Coast Mariners – Saturday November 25th, McDonald Jones Stadium at 5:30pm AEDT
Round 5: Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers – Saturday November 25th, Allianz Stadium at 7:45pm AEDT
Round 8: ‘Big Blue’, Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC – Saturday December 16th, AAMI Park at 7:45pm AEDT
Round 8: Melbourne City v Central Coast Mariners – Sunday December 17th, AAMI Park at 5:00pm AEDT (2023 Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final rematch)
Round 9: Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory – Saturday December 23rd, AAMI Park at 7:45pm AEDT
Round 10: Central Coast Mariners vs Perth Glory – Sunday December 31st, Industree Group Stadium at 7:00pm AEDT (New Year’s Eve Double-Header)
Round 12: Melbourne Victory v Western United – Friday January 12th, AAMI Park at 7:45pm AEDT
Round 14: Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC – Friday January 26th (Australia Day), AAMI Park at 7:45pm AEDT
Round 17: Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory – Saturday February 17th, AAMI Park at 7:45pm AEDT
Round 18: Perth Glory v Wellington Phoenix – Saturday February 24th, HBF Park at 9:45pm AEDT
Round 19: Central Coast Mariners v Newcastle Jets – Saturday March 2nd, Industree Group Stadium at 6:00pm AEDT
Round 19: Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC – Saturday March 2nd, CommBank Stadium at 7:45pm AEDT
Round 20: Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory – Saturday March 9th, Coopers Stadium at 7:45pm AEDT
Round 23: Melbourne Victory v Melbourne City – Saturday April 6th, AAMI Park, Time TBC
Round 24: Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers – Saturday April 13th, Allianz Stadium, Time TBC
Round 26: Newcastle Jets v Central Coast Mariners – Saturday April 27th, McDonald Jones Stadium

Notable A-League Women fixtures

Round 2: Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC – Saturday October 21st, Ballymore Stadium at 4:00pm AEDT (Return to Ballymore Stadium)
Round 3: Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United – Saturday November 4th, AAMI Park at 5:00pm AEDT (Double-Header)
Round 6: Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory – Saturday November 25th, Venue TBC at 12:45pm AEDT (‘Distance Derby’ Double-Header)
Round 8: Melbourne Victory v Canberra United – Saturday December 16th, AAMI Park at 5:00pm AEDT (Double Header)
Round 9: Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory – Saturday December 23rd, AAMI Park at 5:00pm AEDT
Round 10: Central Coast Mariners v Perth Glory – Sunday December 31st, Industree Group Stadium at 4:15pm AEDT (New Year’s Eve Double-Header)
Round 12: Western United v Sydney FC – Saturday January 13th, TBC Venue at 6:00pm AEDT (2023 Liberty A-League Grand Final rematch)
Round 13: Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets – Sunday January 21st, TBC Venue at 6:00pm AEDT
Round 14: Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC – Friday January 26th (Australia Day), AAMI Park at 5:00pm AEDT (Double-Header)
Round 18: Western Sydney Wanderers FC v Sydney FC – Saturday March 2nd, CommBank Stadium at 5:00pm AEDT (Double-Header)
Round 19: Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory – Saturday March 9th, Coopers Stadium at 5:00pm AEDT (Double-Header)

View the complete A-League Men fixture here

View the complete A-League Women fixture here

LIBERTY A-LEAGUE PASS

This season, anyone under the age of 16 can attend Liberty A-League matches in Australia for FREE with the Liberty A-League Pass!

Heading into the season, more than 20,000 fans have already signed up to watch their football heroes in action.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE LIBERTY A-LEAGUE PASS

The Liberty A-League Pass was introduced last season but there is one big change for the upcoming campaign, with free entry now available to ALL people aged 16 or under – not just registered footballers – to every 2023-24 match throughout the Liberty A-League home and away campaign*.

CALLING ALL YOUNG FANS: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE LIBERTY A-LEAGUE PASS
UPDATE TO CBA: APL & PFA’s six big Liberty A-League updates as salary cap goes up 20%: full details

*The Liberty A-League Pass is not available Wellington Phoenix home games as the club has its own exciting offer for young fans. More information here.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE LIBERTY A-LEAGUE PASS

MEMBERSHIPS

Off the back of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, there’s been an enormous spike in memberships at clubs across the Liberty A-League, as fans prepare to flock through the gates to see current Matildas and stars of the future ply their trade.

There are more than 20,000 Under 16 fans signed up for the Liberty A-League Pass this season, to go with the uptick in members across the board.

You can click here to find a membership package at your favourite A-Leagues club – or, you can access membership packages via these specific club links:

SIGNINGS

There have been a number of key outgoings and incomings across both leagues in the lead up to the 2023-24 seasons.

FULL INS & OUTS: Liberty A-League 2023-24 Transfer Centre
FULL INS & OUTS: Isuzu UTE A-League 2023-24 Transfer Centre

Isuzu UTE A-League key departures

Adelaide United: Craig Goodwin, Juande, Louis D’Arrigo
Brisbane Roar: Rahmat Akbari, Jordan Courtney-Perkins, Robbie Kruse
Central Coast: Nectar Triantis, Jason Cummings, Beni N’Kololo, James McGarry, Sam Silvera
Macarthur FC: Craig Noone, Daniel Arzani, Al Hassan Toure, Aleksandar Susnjar
Melbourne City: Jordan Bos, Scott Jamieson, Valon Berisha, Tom Glover, Aiden O’Neill, Thomas Lam, Richard van der Venne, Marco Tilio, Florin Berenguer
Melbourne Victory: Nani, Josh Brillante, Tomi Juric
Newcastle Jets: Angus Thurgate, Beka Mikeltadze, Manabu Saito, Jaushua Sotirio, Jack Duncan
Perth Glory: Keegan Jelacic, Ryan Williams
Sydney FC: Diego Caballo, Adam Le Fondre, Paulo Retre, James Donachie, Alex Wilkinson
Wellington Phoenix: Oliver Sail, Clayton Lewis, Steven Ugarkovic, Yan Sasse
Western Sydney Wanderers: Morgan Schneiderlin, Romain Amalfitano, Yeni Ngbakoto, Amor Layouni, Adama Traore, Kusini Yengi, Oliver Bozanic (loan – January), Calem Nieuwenhof
Western United: Leo Lacroix, Jamie Young, Neil Kilkenny, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Alessandro Diamanti, Tongo Doumbia, James Troisi, Dylan Pierias, Connor Pain, Aleksandar Prijovic

TRANSFER WINDOW VERDICT: Who won? Who lost? What did we learn?

Liberty Pass has the tick of approval from players

Chloe Logarzo, Emily Gielnik and Elise Kellond-Knight have all spoken about the positive news that the Liberty Pass, which grants free access to kids under 16 years old to Liberty A-League matches, will be available this upcoming season.

COACHES

Isuzu UTE A-League

Adelaide United: Carl Veart
Brisbane Roar: Ross Aloisi
Central Coast: Mark Jackson
Macarthur FC: Mile Sterjovski
Melbourne City: Rado Vidosic
Melbourne Victory: Tony Popovic
Newcastle Jets: Rob Stanton
Perth Glory: Alen Stajcic
Sydney FC: Steve Corica
Wellington Phoenix: Giancarlo Italiano
Western Sydney Wanderers: Marko Rudan
Western United: John Aloisi

Liberty A-League

Adelaide United: Adrian Stenta
Brisbane Roar: Garrath McPherson
Canberra United: Njegosh Popovich
Central Coast: Emily Husband
Melbourne City: Dario Vidosic
Melbourne Victory: Jeff Hopkins
Newcastle Jets: Gary van Egmond
Perth Glory: Alex Epakis
Sydney FC: Ante Juric
Wellington Phoenix: Paul Temple
Western Sydney Wanderers: Robbie Hooker
Western United: Mark Torcaso

KITS

New season, new threads.

Just weeks out from the start of both A-Leagues seasons, we are experiencing the annual drip feed of kit releases – and there are some absolute beauties set to go on display in 2023-24.

Click here to see every kit released so far, plus details on how to purchase any of your favourites.

A-LEAGUES KITS: Every team’s new jerseys for the 2023-24 season released so far

FANTASY AND TIPPING

Fantasy and tipping are BACK for another season in 2023-24!

Here’s what you have to look forward to by signing up today, building your team and picking your weekly winners.

WHAT’S NEW? A-Leagues Fantasy & Tipping returns

A-Leagues fantasy football gives fans the chance to select and manage a 15-player squad of their own, from either the Isuzu UTE A-League, Liberty A-League or both.

Given a set budget, you are challenged to select your best 15-player roster. Each player is given a value, with hefty price tags placed on the stars of the league. The challenge for each fantasy coach is to balance stars, up-and-comers and potential bargains in their roster, to create the strongest team possible.

Players on your roster will then earn points during each weekend of fixtures. Points can be accrued in a number of categories, including goals, assists, clean sheets, tackles, key passes, interceptions, clearances and more. You select your preferred 11 starters from your 15-player roster each round, and the points the 11 starters score together add up to become your total score for the round.

The ultimate objective is to finish the season with the highest points tally of any fantasy player in the game, or, to join or create mini leagues, and prevail against a select number of players invited to join.

SIGN UP FOR A-LEAGUES FANTASY HERE

A-Leagues tipping is a simple concept which requires players to guess the correct result in every game played across each round. For each correct guess, you get one correct tip, with your total of correct tips accumulating over the season. The objective is to get the most tips correct of any player by the end of the season.

The first game of every round, however, also requires players to predict a margin of victory for your selected winner (a margin of zero will be entered if a draw is tipped). The difference between your predicted margin and actual margin will accumulate over the season – your objective is to keep this number as low as possible.

Similarly to fantasy, you can create or join leagues to play against friends and fellow fans.

SIGN UP FOR A-LEAGUES TIPPING HERE

FANTASY AND TIPPING
HOW TO DOMINATE FANTASY: Your guide to bargains & who to pick up this season!
WHAT’S NEW? A-Leagues Fantasy & Tipping returns

HOW TO WATCH?

This season will see a reduction in the number of simultaneous matches and more fixtures at family-friendly times to make it easier for fans to attend and watch more games.

Every Liberty A-League match will be made available live and free on 10 Play, and live on Paramount+.
Each weekend the top Isuzu UTE A-League matches will be broadcast live and free on 10 Bold and 10 Play every Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, ad-break free, whistle to whistle, with all matches live on Paramount+.
Watch every Liberty A-League and Isuzu UTE A-League match live on Sky Sport in New Zealand.
Every Friday night match of the Isuzu UTE A-League season will be live and exclusive to Paramount+ with plenty of epic battles each week, kicking off in Round One as Adelaide United host reigning champions Central Coast Mariners.
All A-Leagues matches are available live on Paramount+, plus minis, highlights and replays available to stream.

SIGN UP TO PARAMOUNT+ TO WATCH EVERY A-LEAGUES MATCH

MEET THE NEW AUSTRALIAN PROFESSIONAL LEAGUES CHAIRMAN

Ahead of the 2023-24 seasons, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) appointed its inaugural Independent Chair, the Hon Stephen Conroy.

Conroy has served as a Minister, Senator and Leader of the Senate throughout a 20-year career in Federal Parliament which ended in 2016, when Conroy founded a boutique consulting firm. From 2016-2019 he was the Executive Director of Responsible Wagering Australia, the independent peak body representing the Australian online wagering industry.

He and his wife live in Melbourne with their daughter. Conroy is a passionate football fan and a former junior state football representative, and he still pulls on the boots to play when he has time.

WHO IS STEPHEN CONROY? Impressive CV of A-Leagues first Independent Chair
STEPHEN CONROY: Letter to the fans from new A-Leagues Independent Chairman

When revealed as the APL’s new Independent Chairman, Conroy penned an open letter to fans which included a forecast for what he planned to achieve in the opening phase of his time in the new role:

“Over the next few days and weeks I will meet with representatives of the entire Australian and New Zealand football family, as I get to work on helping to realise the ambition we all have for our game,” he wrote.

“I will meet with our clubs, our staff, our broadcast and commercial partners, representatives of the FA and its Congress, and representatives of Federal and State government. Each engagement will produce invaluable insights and opportunities. But none more so than those that I intend to continuously seek from football fans of all backgrounds across Australia and New Zealand.

“My appointment means that for the first time our professional game has an independent chair. I will oversee a highly qualified and diverse Board that will welcome another independent director in the coming months. With a talented, hard-working and passionate executive team in place, APL is an organisation intent on delivering on its responsibilities to the whole game.

“Having spent 35 years in the passionately tribal world that is Australian politics, including 20 years as a Senator and five and a half years as a Minister, I’m well aware that taking on a leadership role like this will mean once again navigating robust and diverse opinions. But that is simply a product of the incredible passion of football fans who are an integral part of the unrivalled levels of participation of our sport. The opportunity is to unite that passion and drive this game forward to unprecedented levels of success.”

WHO IS STEPHEN CONROY? Impressive CV of A-Leagues first Independent Chair
STEPHEN CONROY: Letter to the fans from new A-Leagues Independent Chairman

APL New Independent Chair Announced

Stephen Conroy has been announced as the new APL Independent Chair.

AUSSIES IN ASIA: FOLLOW A-LEAGUES CLUBS ON THE CONTINENT

Four A-Leagues clubs are flying the flag for the league in Asia in 2023-24, with Sydney FC’s A-League Women side making an historic foray into continental football.

For the first time ever, A-League Men clubs also featuring in the AFC Cup as defending A-Isuzu UTE A-League Champions Central Coast Mariners and 2022 Australia Cup victors Macarthur FC compete in Asia. Reigning A-League Men Premiers Melbourne City are Australia’s sole representatives in the AFC Asian Champions League.

Meanwhile, Liberty A-League champions Sydney FC are vying for top honours in the AFC Women’s Club Championship.

Melbourne City’s AFC Champions League matches will be live on Paramount+, while the AFC Cup fixtures featuring Central Coast Mariners and Macarthur FC will be broadcast live and free via 10Play.