Official: Australian Second-Tier Professional Football League to Launch in October 2025 with 16 Teams

On October 31, the Australian Football Federation officially announced the launch of the national second-tier professional football league in October 2025.

According to the official announcement, after a series of workshops and consultation meetings with eight second-tier league clubs, the Australian Football Association confirmed that the league will be launched in October 2025, showcasing the best of Australian club football in a modern and sustainable format.

Key highlights and information about the competition:

Commitment to the competition: The Australian Football Association, along with the foundation clubs of the second-tier league and key stakeholders, has committed to launching the competition in 2025. This decision ensures alignment with the initial strategic goals of building the Australian football pyramid and elevating iconic clubs to the national stage.

New competition structure: The league will feature a 16-team format, including group stages and knockout rounds. This structure is designed to ensure the sustainability of the competition model while maintaining high levels of competitive integrity and commercial appeal.

Team composition: Eight foundation clubs from the second-tier league will automatically qualify, and will be joined by eight invited clubs from their respective domestic seasons, forming a national competition.

Season schedule: The second-tier league will run from October to December each year, initially consisting of nine match rounds, culminating in the championship final in early December. The spring schedule window can be flexibly expanded to align with the domestic match calendar, ensuring optimal arrangements for players, fans, and stakeholders.

Brand launch: The Australian Football Association can confirm that the name, brand identity, marketing materials, and design of the new trophy will be revealed in the coming months, laying the groundwork for an unforgettable inaugural season.