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Sydney FC celebrate (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The A-League is Australia’s premier national football competition, having replaced the defunct NSL in 2004. Kicking off its inaugural season in 2005-06, the A-League currently features 12 teams – 11 from Australia and one from New Zealand.
Of the original eight clubs, seven still remain in the competition. Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar, Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory and Sydney FC have competed in the competition since inception, with the New Zealand Knights being replaced by Wellington Phoenix in 2007.
Attempted expansion in the late 2000s proved unsuccessful, with Gold Coast United and North Queensland Fury both joining in 2009 but dissolving within three years.
Since then, however, the league added Melbourne City (originally known as Melbourne Heart) and Western Sydney Wanderers to great success, with Western United (based in Melbourne’s west) joining for the 2019-20 season and Macarthur FC joining in 2020-21.
Currently, A-League teams play 26 matches every season – playing each opponent at least twice. The top six clubs progress to the A-League finals, with the elimination series culminating in the grand final – where the champions for the season are decided.
The 2019-20 season was won by Sydney FC, after they defeated Melbourne City in the grand final.
Full list of A-League champions
Season
Grand final
Premiers
2019-20
Sydney FC 1-0 (aet) Melbourne City
Sydney FC
2018-19
Sydney FC 0-0 (4-1p) Perth Glory
Perth Glory
2017-18
Melbourne Victory 1-0 Newcastle Jets
Sydney FC
2016-17
Sydney FC 1-1 (4-2p) Melbourne Victory
Sydney FC
2015-16
Adelaide United 3-1 Western Sydney Wanderers
Adelaide United
2014-15
Melbourne Victory 3-0 Sydney FC
Melbourne Victory
2013-14
Brisbane Roar 2-1 (aet) Western Sydney Wanderers
Brisbane Roar
2012-13
Central Coast Mariners 2-0 Western Sydney Wanderers
