Australian Championship 2025/26

The Australian Championship is the official national second-tier football league in Australia, governed by Football Australia. Unveiled in 2024, the competition launched its inaugural season in October 2025. It occupies a unique position within the national structure, sitting directly below the top-tier A-League Men and above the state-based National Premier Leagues (NPL), which form the third tier.

The league features 16 clubs divided into two distinct categories. Eight permanent 'Foundation Clubs' form the core, including Avondale, Marconi Stallions FC, and South Melbourne. The remaining eight spots are filled by 'Qualifying Clubs' invited annually from the NPL state premiers. This structure creates a performance-based pathway rather than relying on strict geographic boundaries.

The format consists of four groups of four teams playing a round-robin group stage. The top teams advance to a single-elimination finals series. South Melbourne FC won the inaugural 2025 title, defeating Marconi Stallions 2–0 in the Grand Final. There is currently no automatic promotion or relegation between the Australian Championship and the A-League Men, as the top tier remains a closed franchise system. However, the competition distinguishes itself from the NPL by being a national, cross-state entity rather than a collection of state leagues. It also differs from the A-League by focusing on historic community clubs rather than new franchise entities.