Football Federation Australia (FFA) today released the official draw for the Westfield W-League 2015/16 Season with the exciting addition of Melbourne City FC lifting the competition to a nine-team league in a sign of the continued growth of women’s football.

For the full fixture schedule please visit www.w-league.com.au

The eighth edition of Westfield W-League will be played over 14 rounds with the opening round kicking off on Saturday 17 October with Adelaide United hosting the Western Sydney Wanderers FC at Adelaide Shores Football Centre and then Melbourne Victory taking on last season’s Premiers, Perth Glory, at Broadmeadows Valley Park later that evening. Brisbane Roar FC and Canberra United will meet at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday 18 October and Melbourne City FC will play their first ever competitive match against Sydney FC at Lambert Park to complete the opening round.

There will be two Melbourne Derby’s (Melbourne City FC v Melbourne Victory) which will occur in Rounds 2 (Sunday 25 October) and 8 (Sunday 6 December) with two Sydney Derby’s (Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers FC) scheduled for Rounds 3 (Sunday 1 November) and 8 (Sunday 6 December) with the Grand Final re-match between Perth Glory and Canberra United will be held in Round 12 (Saturday 2 January 2016).

The top four teams will once again advance to the Westfield W-League 2016 Finals Series, which will be played over two weekends (23/24 January & 31 January 2016). The Westfield W-League 2016 Grand Final will be played on Sunday 31 January 2016.

The Head of Westfield W-League, Damien de Bohun was excited to release the draw for the upcoming season.

“Following the success of the Westfield Matildas at the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup the interest in Women’s Football in Australia is at an all-time high,” said De Bohun.

“Today’s release of the Westfield W-League 2015/16 Season Draw gives football fans around Australia the opportunity to lock in plans to watch our best female footballers in action.

“This edition will also be historic with the expansion of the competition to nine clubs as we welcome Melbourne City FC to the Westfield W-League ranks for the first time, another sign of the growth in women’s football.

“The expansion of the Westfield W-League also means that we will provide a record number of opportunities for our elite female footballers to compete against each other at domestic level which will eventually have benefits at the international level.

“These developments in relation to the Westfield W-League are consistent with our strategy in regards to the Whole of Football Plan and where we see the future of Women’s Football in Australia.

“I am confident that this draw will provide another exciting edition of the Westfield W-League and like many other fans can’t wait for the season to start,” said de Bohun.

Westfield W-League 2015/16 Snapshot:

Westfield W-League 2015/16 Season to kick off on Saturday 17 October when Adelaide United host the Western Sydney Wanderers FC at Adelaide Shores Football Centre

Westfield W-League season will commence one week after the start of the Hyundai A-League 2015/16 Season

57 matches in total = 54 regular season matches + 2 Semi-Finals + Westfield W-League Grand Final

Two (2) new venues to be used: C.B Smith Reserve (Melbourne City FC) and Popondetta Park (Western Sydney Wanderers FC)

Melbourne Derby between Melbourne City FC and Melbourne Victory in Round 2 (on Sunday 25 October) and Round 8 (Sunday 6 December)

Sydney Derby between Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC in Rounds 3 & 8

Grand Final rematch between Perth Glory and Canberra United in Round 12

There are twelve (12) confirmed Westfield W-League/Hyundai A-League double headers scheduled on Sunday afternoons

Westfield W-League 2016 Finals Series will see the first placed team host the fourth placed team, and the second placed team host the third placed team. The winner of the each Westfield W-League 2016 Semi-Final will advance to the Westfield W-League 2016 Grand Final which will be hosted by the higher ranked of the two teams.

Click here to download the Westfield W-League 2015/16 Season Draw