After weeks of fan unrest, the A-League has today finally unveiled the schedule for the upcoming 2019-20 season, kicking off on Friday, October 11.
Clubs will play 26 matches and enjoy three byes over the 29-round regular season, with finals to begin on Friday, May 1 and the grand final to be played on either Saturday, May 16 or Sunday, May 17.
Adelaide United and Sydney FC will clash at Coopers Stadium in the season-opening game, with a Melbourne derby scheduled for the following night at Marvel Stadium. Western Sydney will play their first A-League game at Bankwest Stadium earlier on Saturday.
Western United begin their A-League existence away to Wellington Phoenix on Sunday afternoon, before Perth Glory close out the round with a home game against Brisbane Roar.
The Melbourne Derby in Round 1 will be followed up by an F3 Derby on Round 2 and a Sydney Derby in Round 3.
The first grand final rematch will be Round 7, when Perth host Sydney at HBF Park on Saturday, November 23.
One big change to this year’s fixture is earlier kick-off times across the board, which FFA Head of Leagues Greg O’Rourke said was “to encourage better fan engagement across the league.”
The new season will also have no break during FIFA International dates, while also having no split rounds.
As far as games outside home cities go, Wellington will take two games to Auckland, Brisbane will play three games at Redcliffe’s Dolphin Stadium and Western United will play at Ballarat’s Mars Stadium three times as well.
View the full 2019-20 A-League fixture here
All times AEDT
Friday, October 11: Adelaide United vs Sydney FC, 7:30pm, Coopers Stadium
Saturday, October 12: Western Sydney Wanderers vs Central Coast Mariners, 5:15pm, Bankwest Stadium
Saturday, October 12: Melbourne Victory vs Melbourne City, 7:30pm, Marvel Stadium
Sunday, October 13: Wellington Phoenix vs Western United, 4:00pm, Westpac Stadium
Sunday, October 13: Perth Glory vs Brisbane Roar, 6:00pm, HBF Park
Bye: Newcastle Jets
Nick Symonds
Guest
FTBL: Western United wanted to start life with a big bang at Geelong's GMHBA Stadium, but found the motocross outfit [Crusty Demons] had a long-standing booking. - United, which will move into a privately owned stadium in Melbourne's West within three seasons, will play nine matches in Geelong and four at Ballarat's Mars Stadium in their first campaign. The requirements of AFL club Geelong, GMHBA Stadium's key tenant, means Western will front-load most of its fixtures at the 36,000-capacity venue. United has six matches in the opening nine rounds at the renovated stadium, and will also host Adelaide United there in an Australia Day clash. The flipside is just two home matches, both to be played in Ballarat, in the final seven rounds. It remains to be seen whether Western United would be permitted to play any home finals in Geelong. Western United also confirmed that an approach came from Tasmania to play at least one home game on the football-starved Apple Isle, but it fell through. - https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/motocross-rides-all-over-a-league-plans-529311
Nick Symonds
Guest
Hobart
Admiral Ackbar
Guest
Do these earlier kickoff times have anything to do with Channel 10?
Timmuh
Roar Guru
If Western United host a final will that be played at the Melbourne rectangluar stadium, or Kardinia Park if the Cats aren’t at home that weekend, or Ballarat? I’m assuming the MRS.
Nick Symonds
Guest
They say they want to represent Western Victoria. So, why don't they just call themselves Western Victoria United?
Timmuh
Roar Guru
Without going to a 33 round season, multiple teams having the bye in some rounds inevitable. The bye is only for one year anyway.
Nemesis
Guest
Actually, previously we've always had every team playing every opponent the same number of times in a season. The only inequity was teams playing some opponents more often at home & this was rotated every season. Eg. if MV played BRI at home twice in one year; the following year BRI played MV at home twice.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Can't speak for every team, but that's how it is for Roar, plus three byes to make the 29 rounds. Only for this season. No idea how they decide. Previously, there was a rotation so it equalized out one season to the next.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
that's been an odd thing about the A League draw, repeat fixture close. Five weeks is pretty good compared to some previous years. Three weeks apart for some in the past. I think it's an improved draw this season.
Brian
Guest
So how does 26 games per team? Does every team play 6 teams 3 times and 4 teams twice? Is there some sort of divisional structure as to who plays who? I assume the NSW teams play each other 3 times each etc.
Kannga2
Roar Rookie
The whole western world united fc The A league making world peace happen.
Franko
Guest
Just noticed Adelaide play away to CCM in rd 6 and 11, but odd to have the same fixture 5 weeks apart?
Franko
Guest
I didn't realise there'd be rounds where multiple teams have the bye,that stinks! Otherwise it is what it is until MacArthur come in next year. Some more regional games may have been nice as well.
Iron Fist
Guest
Western United - how original....and deadset uninspiring. Exactly which football clubs have 'united' to form this club? Furthermore, there are already two other clubs (were three with GC) with United in their name.
Griffo
Roar Guru
I also thought the final few rounds of the season would be decided at a later date due to metrics and FoxSports desires? Jets have a full detail round up to and included Round 29.
Griffo
Roar Guru
A couple of 4pm games at Hunter Stadium in summer will be interesting if the weather is warmer than average. Sun doesn't usually dip behind the hills until well after 7:30pm that time of year and the air remains warm, so could well be slow matches due to heat.