Overview

• Western United’s participation agreement has been placed in conditional hibernation for the 2025-26 season, removing the club from both the men’s and women’s competitions.
• Roughly 40 players were released as free agents, and A-League clubs are not being granted salary-cap exemptions or extra roster spots to sign them.
• The A-League Men reduces from 13 to 12 teams and the Women from 12 to 11 for 2025-26, introducing a weekly bye, with fixtures set to be released next week.
• WMG Football Club was ordered into liquidation by the Federal Court, a stay was granted pending review, and an appeal of Football Australia’s licence revocation is due on September 9.
• The APL says Western United may seek re-entry in 2026-27 if it overturns the winding-up and licence decisions and meets FA licensing, with the club’s academies to continue operating.