Football Australia has released the Domestic Match Calendar for 2025/26 (DMC 2025/26), setting out key dates for elite men's and women's football competitions across the country, while outlining transfer and registration windows for the period 6 October 2025 - 5 October 2026.
The DMC 2025/26 acts as a unifying schedule for the game at all levels, aligning various competitions to support player development; while adhering to FIFA International Men's and Women's scheduling requirements, including key FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) breaks, as well as major events such as the FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup.
In providing a clear schedule for football in Australia, the DMC 2025/26 sets distinct windows for matches for the Isuzu UTE A-League Men, Ninja A-League Women, Hahn Australia Cup, the Australian Championship and National Premier Leagues - allowing administrators and teams to plan their activities accordingly.
The development of the DMC 2025/26 has been underpinned by ongoing and extensive consultation with key stakeholders including the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and Member Federations. Football Australia has once again ensured that all FIFA International Windows for men's football will be observed throughout 2025/26, while for women's football, the October, February and April windows will be observed, with the A-League women again playing up to six matches through the November window and will resume games from the finals stage of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026™.
In addition, two registration windows will service each of the men's and women's professional competitions, strategically scheduled to enable player movement between clubs within Australia and globally.
Football Australia's Interim CEO, Heather Garriock, said the finalisation of the DMC 2025/26 was integral to a harmonious schedule across all levels of football.
"The 2025/26 Domestic Match Calendar is a product of genuine collaboration across the football ecosystem - from the AFC and APL to our Member Federations and NPL clubs - and reflects our shared commitment to unity, alignment and excellence."
"This schedule gives the CommBank Matildas a clear lead-in to the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026™ on home soil and ensures the Subway Socceroos are prepared for the FIFA World Cup 26™ - while keeping our domestic competitions vibrant, uninterrupted and connected to the global game.
"The introduction of the Australian Championship will deliver more football, better football, and create new national opportunities for clubs and players - enhancing the football experience for all."
Key dates/features of the DMC 2025/26 include:
- Isuzu UTE A-League Men 2025/26 Regular Season to commence from Friday, 17 October 2026 with the 2026 Grand Final to be contested on the weekend of Friday, 22 May 2026 - Sunday, 24 May 2026.
- Ninja A-League Women 2025/26 Regular Season to commence from Friday, 31 October 2025 with the 2026 Grand Final to be contested on the weekend of Friday, 15 May 2026 - Sunday, 17 May 2026.
- The newly established Australian Championship - the first ever national second-tier football competition in Australia - will launch on Friday, 10 October 2026 with the inaugural 2025 Championship Final scheduled for Friday, 6 December 2025 - Sunday, 8 December 2025.
- National Premier Leagues 2026 Seasons - both men's and women's - will commence from Friday, 6 February 2026 and conclude by Sunday, 13 September 2026.
- Player welfare windows included in both men's and women's calendars to ensure players can obtain rest/take annual leave between seasons/elite football commitments.
CLICK HERE - to view the Australian Football Domestic Match Calendar 2025/26.
