Football Australia Unveils Enhanced Competitions Structure for 2026
Football Australia has introduced an enhanced competitions structure for 2026. This announcement follows an extensive review of participant engagement and qualification pathways. The changes aim to align domestic competitions with international standards.
Key Changes in the 2026 Competitions Structure
The revised framework for 2026 includes several significant modifications:
- The Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s Qualification Round has been eliminated.
- Auckland FC and Wellington Phoenix FC will not participate in the Hahn Australia Cup 2026.
- All current Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s clubs, totaling ten, will enter directly into the Round of 32.
- Only Australian teams will compete in the tournament to meet AFC club competition eligibility for the AFC Champions League Two.
- South Melbourne FC, the 2025 Australian Championship winner, will receive direct entry into the Round of 32.
Round of 32 Qualification Slots
The allocation of qualification slots for the Round of 32 is as follows:
| Representation | Slot Allocations |
|---|---|
| A-League Clubs | 10 |
| 2025 Australian Championship Winner | 1 |
| Football NSW | 4 |
| Football Victoria | 4 |
| Football Queensland | 4 |
| Football South Australia | 2 |
| Football West | 2 |
| Northern NSW Football | 2 |
| Capital Football (ACT) | 1 |
| Football Tasmania | 1 |
| Football Northern Territory | 1 |
| Total | 32 |
Implications of the New Structure
The revised structure aims to enhance the integrity of the Hahn Australia Cup. It ensures that Australia’s strongest clubs will compete both domestically and on an international stage. This change also seeks to clarify the qualification pathways for Member Federations and clubs.
Hahn Australia Cup Registration Dates
Clubs should note the following important registration dates for the Hahn Australia Cup Preliminary Rounds:
| Member Federation | Registration Closure Date | Draw Date | Prelim Rd Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Football QLD | Thursday, 8 January | Monday, 19 January | Friday, 30 January |
| NNSW Football | Tuesday, 27 January | Tuesday, 3 February | Sunday, 8 February |
| Capital Football | Friday, 30 January | Wednesday, 11 February | TBC |
| Football NSW | Thursday, 12 February | Thursday, 19 February | Saturday, 7 March |
| Football VIC | Friday, 16 January | Tuesday, 27 January | Friday, 13 February |
| Football TAS | Wednesday, 21 January | Wednesday, 11 February | Friday, 6 March |
| Football SA | Tuesday, 27 January | Monday, 2 February | Friday, 20 February |
| Football West | Wednesday, 14 January | Wednesday, 28 January | Saturday, 21 February |
| Football NT | Saturday, 21 February | Monday, 2 March | Tuesday, 17 March |
This structured approach for 2026 should foster stronger competition and higher engagement among football entities across Australia.
