Thursday night free-to-air football will underpin the second edition of the Australian Championship, kicking off on October 15 and featuring some of Australia's oldest football clubs.
Some of Australian football's most storied rivalries headline the new edition too, with nine ex-National Soccer League (NSL) clubs - South Melbourne FC, Sydney Olympic FC, Marconi Stallions FC, Sydney United 58 FC, Adelaide City FC, Wests APIA FC, Preston Lions FC, Wollongong Wolves FC and Lions FC - among the 16 teams contesting 2026.
The Finals Series commences on November 26 with the Quarter Finals, with the season set to conclude with the Grand Final between December 10-12.
Each round will carry two SBS linear broadcasts, including the new Thursday night showcase - an increase on last year's debut season.
Preston Lions FC will kick off the 2026 season on 15 October with a big Thursday night clash against Wollongong Wolves FC in a blockbuster opening round.
Sutherland Sharks host reigning Australian Championship champions and 2026 Hahn Australia Cup finalists South Melbourne on Saturday, 17 October, in the round's other live broadcast match. Adelaide City v Avondale FC and Oakleigh Cannons v Sydney Olympic are another two games to keep an eye on in the opening round.
Other headline games include South Melbourne v Sydney United 58, in a repeat of the 1999 NSL Grand Final. Sydney Olympic and Marconi will also revive a great NSL rivalry, having met in the 1989 and 1990 Grand Finals.
The NPL's top sides battle it out once again, with eight Qualifying Clubs joining the competition's eight Foundation Clubs across a national footprint spanning seven states and territories.
SBS will exclusively broadcast Thursday night (SBS2) and Saturday (SBS) matches, while all other games stream on Football Australia's YouTube channel and SBS On Demand.
Quotes attributable to Football Australia CEO Martin Kugeler:
"The Australian Championships brings together the history of our game and includes our best clubs from NPL competitions Australia-wide. With 16 clubs from seven states and territories, this is what a genuinely national competition looks like.
"With more prime-time football, better kick-off times for fans and an expanded broadcast schedule, there will be heightened interest in the 2026 Australian Championship season.
"Season two builds on a strong foundation, and this year's expanded broadcast partnership with SBS - including two matches live every round on free-to-air channel and every game live on SBS On Demand - means more of the game reaching more households across the country than ever before.”
Quotes attributable to Football Australia Executive Director of Football Heather Garriock:
"The Australian Championship is a key part of how we're building a more connected, sustainable pathway through Australian football.
"This competition links our grassroots and state-league talent directly into the national conversation, at a time when strengthening that pipeline matters more than ever for the sport's growth in this country.
"We've also listened closely to our clubs this year who called for innovation in season two. The Penalty Shootout Bonus Point Model is a direct response to that feedback, and it included consultation with the Japanese Football Association, who recently adopted the concept. It's a trial, and with only six Group Stage matches, every point is valuable - it will be assessed at the end of the season.”
Further details on the Finals Series, including venues and dates, will be announced in the coming weeks.
