The Ninja A-League season will kick off on Friday, October 31, with the 22-round regular season set to run until the weekend of April 3-5, 2026.
Following an end-of-regular-season international break, the Finals Series will begin on the weekend of April 24-26, with the Ninja A-League Grand Final set for May 16-17, 2026.
In 2025-26, the Ninja A-League will feature 11 teams following the announcement that Western United’s Club Participation Agreement (CPA) has been placed in conditional hibernation for the upcoming campaign.
As a result, one club will serve a bye in each of the 22 rounds of the Ninja A-League 2025-26 season. All 11 clubs will serve two byes throughout the campaign.
The 2026 Finals Series will follow last season’s format with two Elimination Finals – the two winners advancing to a two-legged Semi Final against the top two sides, with the winners qualifying for the Grand Final.
The Ninja A-League 2026 Finals Series will kick off on the weekend of April 24-26, 2026 with the Grand Final scheduled for the weekend of May 16-17, 2026.
Commenting on the season ahead, Stephen Conroy, APL Executive Chairman said:
“The Ninja A-League has established itself as the top-ranked league in Asia and the proven pathway for our next generation of national team heroes.”
“Last season, 22 Ninja A-League Women players were called up to CommBank Matildas squads from nine clubs, and this season again provides another fantastic opportunity for players to break through and stake their claim as stars of the future.”
“We’re lucky to have an incredible group of footballers and role models across our league who continue to inspire the next generation of fans, players and coaches in our sport, and we look forward to another memorable season.”
-ALeagues.com.au Writers
