The Australian A-League, or A-League Men, is the top football category for Australian association football. It was created in 2004, with its first season coming in 2005. The A-League replaced the defunct National Soccer League and operates under the wing of the Australian Professional Leagues.
Over the years, the A-League has included teams from both Australia and New Zealand, with the format changing in time due to the number of teams involved in the tournament. The first season was played by eight teams, but the A-League is now played by 12 clubs, eleven coming from Australia and one more from New Zealand. Unlike most leagues in the world, the A-League does not promote or relegate teams between seasons.
Due to extreme weather conditions, the A-League is usually played between October and May of the following year, with all teams playing up to 26 games. The league’s six best teams enter a postseason stage, where the top two teams earn a bye and see the other four clubs involved in a one-match elimination round. The semifinals are played on a home-and-away format, while the title match is held at a venue chosen by the Australian Professional Leagues.
The A-League also provides access to continental competitions after each season comes to an end. The tournament grants spots for both the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup.
Coverage of the A-League in Australia has been awarded to Network 10 and Paramount+, who cover streaming rights for the competition until 2025.
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