Football Federation Australia (FFA), in collaboration with the Hyundai A-League clubs, the PFA and major broadcaster FOX SPORTS, has finalised the competition window for the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Season.

The Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Season will start on Friday 11 October 2019 with the Hyundai A-League 2020 Grand Final to be held on the weekend 16/17 May.

FFA Head of Leagues, Greg O’Rourke, said the entry of Western United FC into the Hyundai A-League for the first time, combined with the scheduling of the AFC U-23 Championship 2020 in January, which also serves as the qualifying tournament for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, meant that a unique mix of challenges needed to be accommodated for the upcoming season.

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“For the past eight seasons we have had 10 clubs who have played each other three times over 27 Rounds,” said O’Rourke.

“With the introduction of Western United FC into the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Season we needed to facilitate a bye each round. As we look to maintain a season window which amplifies the potential of football in Australia, the presence of a bye necessitates that we apply a new format to the competition.

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“This season, clubs will play each other twice with and additional six matches per club that will see some clubs play each other three times over 29 rounds. A methodology has also been agreed as to determine the additional six matches.

“The Hyundai A-League 2020 Finals Series will remain the same as the previous edition with Elimination Finals (3v6 & 4v5), Semi Finals (1 v lowest ranked winner from Elimination Finals, 2 v highest ranked winner from Elimination Finals,) and a Grand Final.

“Similar to last season we activated a joint FFA/Clubs Competitions Calendar Working Group, tasked with considering and assessing the unique scheduling challenges for the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Season.

"Following extensive discussions over recent months and assessment of the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 Season data, we collectively decided it is in the best interests of the Hyundai A-League to play through the international breaks this season, with the possibility of rescheduling matches should a certain number of players from a team be unavailable for selection due to certain international duties.

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“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the clubs, the PFA and FOX SPORTS for their genuine input and support for collaboration with FFA on determining the optimal competition format for the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Season.

“With this decision made, detailed work commences on the draw process and we are looking to release the final version of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Season draw in July.

“In collaboration with our stakeholders, we will be focussed on developing a schedule which will amplify broadcast and attendance metrics, support club growth initiatives whilst providing a fair and equitable fixture schedule for all clubs that also meets key player welfare principles,” said O’Rourke.

Key Points for the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Season

11 Clubs

29 Rounds (13 Home/Away matches per club - 3 Byes per club)

Round One 11-13 October 2019

Round 29: 24-26 April 2020

No break for FIFA International dates

No Split Rounds (Bye preference for 3 clubs participating in the AFC Champions League 2020)

Hyundai A-League 2020 Finals Series structure remains the same (Elimination Finals (3v6 & 4v5), Semi Finals (1 v lowest ranked winner from Elimination Finals, 2 v highest ranked winner from Elimination Finals,) and the Grand Final)

Hyundai A-League 2020 Grand Final – weekend of 16/17 May 2020

Opponent Match-up Weightings – Methodology

Due to the uneven number of Rounds for Season 2019/20 (e.g. 29 Rounds / 26 matches per Club), each Club will play a minimum of two matches against each other Club.

Select “third” opponent match-ups will be determined according to agreed methodology.

Key Principles