Football Australia has announced a refined competitions structure in 2026 following a review of participation, qualification pathways and an alignment with international competition requirements.
The 2026 competition will see an updated structure with the removal of the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s Qualification Round and Auckland FC and Wellington Phoenix FC no longer participating in the Hahn Australia Cup 2026.
This means that all current Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s clubs (10 in total) will enter the competition directly at the Round of 32 and only Australian teams will compete which aligns with AFC club competition qualification requirements for AFC Champions League Two.
A further change to the competition pathway will see the 2025 Australian Championship winner, South Melbourne FC, receive direct qualification to the Round of 32, recognising their national competition success.
As a result of these changes the Round of 32 qualification slots are 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 |
The confirmed 2026 framework has been designed to strengthen the integrity of the Hahn Australia Cup and positions the competition to showcase Australia’s strongest clubs domestically and internationally while providing clarity for Member Federations and clubs, with qualification pathways streamlined.
Western United FC will have the opportunity to participate in the Hahn Australia Cup via the Football Victoria (VPL1) pathway, entering through the Preliminary Rounds for the 2026 season.
Hahn Australia Cup Registration Dates:
Details of the Hahn Australia Cup Preliminary Round registration closure dates, draw dates, and commencement dates are provided below.
| Member Federation | Registration Closure Date | Draw | 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 Northern Conference, Sunday, 8 March Southern Conference | |
| 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 | |
