A-League 2025-26 fixture: Break down of every club’s draw, who are the winners and losers?
Gruelling runs on the road, early-season derbies and several blockbuster games. Erin Smith breaks down the new A-League fixture and the months which will decide every team’s fortunes.
The roar of a home crowd, a chance to sleep in your own bed, not having to spend hours on a plane before a crucial game – a draw can have a big impact on a team’s results – especially in the men’s A-League with clubs spread right around the country and New Zealand.
The withdrawal of Western United for the 2025/26 season means there is no bye in the men’s round – but the league wanted to keep the season at 26 games meaning some teams will play each other three times.
Here is a break down of how each team fared in the 2025/26 A-League’s men’s fixtures.
ADELAIDE UNITED
Adelaide United get the privilege of being the very first game of the season but they have a tough opponent in Sydney FC – the home field advantage could get them off to a great start though.
The Reds have got the rough end of the deal when it comes to the original rivalry clashes with Melbourne Victory this season – playing two of the three games away. There are three times during the season where Adelaide will play two consecutive home games which could provide them some stability mid-season.
AUCKLAND FC
The reigning premiers kick off their season with a clash against Melbourne Victory – the team that knocked them out of the semi-final. A good win against Victory in round one would really set the scene for a big season from the league’s newest team. Auckland have pulled a string of home games in December which could also provide a good chance for them to pick up points. They have a tough end to the season with games against Adelaide, Central Coast and Sydney FC – all likely to be tough opponents and could lead to some upsets.
BRISBANE ROAR
After a tough season last year where they celebrated just fives wins Roar will be desperate to get their season off to a much better start and the draw certainly gives them every opportunity to do that. Opening games against Macarthur and Wellington Phoenix means they could get two early wins. Roar will have to spend all of December on the road due to concerts at Suncorp Stadium but a string of consecutive home games at the back end of the season could be the recipe for a strong finish. Roar will have to face reigning champions Melbourne City three times this season.
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
Nothing quite like kicking off the season with the F3 derby – it is a big chance for Mariners to put their off-field dramas aside and prove they mean business this season. Mariners have a tough festive season with Sydney FC, reigning premiers Auckland and an away trip to Wellington. They also have a rough run at the finish line with an away trip to Auckland and away derby match with Newcastle.
MACARTHUR BULLS
They have a very good opportunity to pick up some early points with their opening matches against mostly mid-table competition. They have a very tricky period in January with games against the Wanderers, Sydney FC, Central Coast, Melbourne City and Adelaide United. There are few stretches where the Bulls have some big back to back travel with trips to Auckland and Perth just two weeks apart.
MELBOURNE CITY
Fans won’t have to wait long for the much anticipated Melbourne derby which also doubles as a grand final rematch this season with City and Victory first facing off in round 4. City have a favourable draw for the opening part of the season with no big travel until they head to Wellington in January. It means that they have trips to Auckland and Perth in the back end of the season which could prove taxing, especially when AFC Champions League is thrown into the mixer.
MELBOURNE VICTORY
They will be out to prove a point when they take on reigning premiers Auckland FC in the opening round. The two sides developed quite a rivalry last season and Victory will want to ensure it remains on the right side of it. Victory get most of its travel over early on and have three consecutive homes games in January. They even scored home games for two of three original rivalry derbies with Adelaide United. Victory’s clash with Auckland in round 23 will likely play a key role in deciding ladder positions for finals.
NEWCASTLE JETS
Facing Mariners first up away from home is going to be a tough way to start the season and with the second match up between the two sides also on the Central Coast the Jets certainly got the poor end of the deal. They won’t get to take on their close rivals at Macdonald Jones stadium until the final round of the season. Jets also drew the short straw and will face reigning premiers Auckland three times this season – two of those games in Auckland and just a few rounds apart. Jets run home though could allow them to really find a good rhythm with not a lot of travel.
PERTH GLORY
Glory struggled last season with just four wins – a home game against Wellington in Round 1 certainly has potential for them to get some points on the board early. December will prove difficult with games against likely finals contenders Sydney FC, Melbourne City, Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory all back to back. They have two weeks on the road in March to Auckland and Wellington – to avoid them making the long trip to New Zealand twice in a season. There is an opportunity for them to finish strong especially with their final match for the season being a home game against Brisbane Roar.
SYDNEY FC
No one wants to start their season on the road but that is the cards Sydney FC have been dealt as they take on Adelaide. With Allianz Stadium unavailable due to repairs all of Sydney’s opening home games will be played at Leichardt Oval. Sydney do get to stay fairly close to home though in the opening part of the season and that could allow them to gain some really good momentum heading into the second half of the season. Battling Auckland FC in the final game of the season will be a challenge, but at least the Sky Blues should be back at Allianz for that match.
WELLINGTON PHOENIX
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Kicking off your season with an epic trip to Perth is a bit harsh – few fans and travel fatigue make it a tough ask. But the positive is at least they only have to do it once and it is out of the way in round 1. The New Zealand derby is up quite early in round 4, with the sides facing off three times this season. Wellington have a six consecutive rounds in New Zealand through November and December but it means they have a number of away games in the back half of the season. Hard to say if this draw will work in their favour or against them.
WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS
Pulling an opening match against reigning champions Melbourne City probably wasn’t how Western Sydney Wanderers wanted to start the season and following it up with three away games, including a trip across the ditch, digs the boots in a bit. But it does mean they have a lot more localised travel for the middle of the season which could set them up for a good run to the finish line.
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