Football Federation Australia (FFA) has invited ten bidders to take part in the next stage of a process to expand the Hyundai A-League.

FFA intends to grant licences for two new clubs to join the Hyundai A-League in the season after next, 2019-20. The ultimate aim of the process is to identify two bids with the strongest potential for establishing clubs with long-term sustainability while also growing the commercial attraction and popular support for the existing Hyundai A-League clubs and the League as a whole.

Fifteen formal submissions were received at the end of the initial Expressions of Interest (EOI) stage.

These have been analysed by FFA and its lead advisers Deloitte against the criteria contained in the EOI documents with additional information sought from all parties.

Following that analysis, the FFA Board resolved to invite the following parties to take part in the next, more detailed bid phase:

South West Sydney FC

United for Macarthur (Sydney)

Southern Expansion (Sydney region)

Team 11 (Melbourne)

South Melbourne FC

Western Melbourne Group

Brisbane City FC

Ipswich Pride FC

Canberra & Capital Region

Wollongong

All parties have been notified of FFA’s decision. The existing Hyundai A-League clubs and FFA’s Member Federations have also been updated. The bid phase will commence in July and provides invited parties access to a data room containing a range of Hyundai A-League related information and the ability to ask additional questions and engage with FFA and Deloitte.

Final binding bids are due by 31 August and the announcement of the new licences is planned to be made by 31 October 2018.

FFA has advised the unsuccessful parties that it intends to expand the Hyundai A-League further in future years and encourages them to bid for licences at that time.

FFA Chief Executive David Gallop said the process remained highly competitive.

"FFA's job is to get the best outcome for the Hyundai A-League and football as a whole," he said.

"That means granting licences that will complement the existing Hyundai A-League clubs, link back into fans and the football history in their local community, help to develop football pathways for more players, increase interest from sponsors and broadcasters, have solid financial backing and operate sustainably.

"Expansion has created enormous interest and attracted 15 groups to come forward from around the country. Once we get these two new clubs established for the season after next we intend to add more clubs in future years."