The A-League Men is Australia and New Zealand's premier football (soccer) league. It features several teams, each with its own identity, fan base, and flavour. With rivalries spanning states and regions and an ever-increasing presence in the world of football, let's meet the teams and see where they play and who their rivals are.
Adelaide United
Adelaide United FC
- Nickname: The Reds
- Location: Adelaide, South Australia
- First A-League Season: 2005–06 (inaugural season)
- Stadium: Coopers Stadium (Hindmarsh Stadium) – 16,500 capacity
- A-League Championship: 2015–16
- A-League Premiership: 2005–06
Adelaide United is one of the original A-League clubs, having been in the competition since the beginning of the league, and is based in South Australia's capital. Known for its strong football culture, loyal supporter base, and consistent performances, Adelaide United plays home matches at Coopers Stadium (also known as Hindmarsh Stadium). This 16,500-seat venue is west of Adelaide's city centre.
The Reds won the A-League Championship in 2016 and multiple FFA Cup titles. The teams' most storied rivalry is the Original Rivalry against Melbourne Victory. This rivalry dates back to the league's earliest seasons.
Brisbane Roar
Brisbane Roar (formerly Queensland Roar: 2005–2009)
- Nickname: The Roar
- Location: Brisbane, Queensland
- First A-League Season: 2005–06
- Stadium: Suncorp Stadium – 52,500 capacity
- A-League Championship: 2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14
- A-League Premiership: 2010–11, 2013–14
Brisbane Roar was initially founded in 1957 as Hollandia-Inala. It was later named Queensland Roar. The team is one of the most successful A-League Men clubs, holding the record for the longest unbeaten run in Australian league football at 36 matches.
Playing their home matches at Suncorp Stadium, nicknamed “The Cauldron”, but recent low attendances mean a smaller stadium might offer better atmospheres for fewer fans. The club's main rivals are Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory, A-League teams that produce key high-stakes derbies in finals.
The now-defunct “M1 Derby” was against Gold Coast United until Gold Coast exited the league. With North Queensland Fury's collapse, Brisbane has been left with no regional derbies, which is why their main rivals are national fixtures.
Central Coast Mariners
Central Coast Mariners
- Nickname: The Mariners
- Location: Gosford, New South Wales (Central Coast)
- First A-League Season: 2005–06
- Stadium: Industree Group Stadium – 20,059 capacity
- A-League Championship: 2012–13, 2022–23
- A-League Premiership: 2007–08
Central Coast Mariners are one of the A-League's founding clubs. Representing the league's smallest regional market, they've consistently punched above their weight. With picturesque views and an intimate atmosphere, the Industree Group Stadium is smaller than its metro rivals but allows passionate local supporters to enjoy football just a few metres from the Ocean.
While the Mariners struggled in the mid-2010s, they've enjoyed a recent resurgence, particularly with the record-setting 6-1 victory over Melbourne City in the 2023 A-League Grand Final. Their longest rivalry is the F3 Derby against the Newcastle Jet. Named after the road connecting the two regions, this derby has been going on since the start of the league. The Mariners have also enjoyed competitive moments, in part thanks to the league's salary cap, with Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers. However, the Jets are still their biggest rivals.
Macarthur FC
Macarthur FC
- Nickname: The Bulls
- Location: Campbelltown, New South Wales
- First A-League Season: 2020–21
- Stadium: Campbelltown Sports Stadium – 17,500 capacity
- Australia Cup: 2022
Macarthur FC is one of the newer clubs. Based in Sydney's southwestern suburbs, they joined the A-League in 2020/21. While too new to really have any rivals yet, the matches against Western Sydney Wanderers are becoming increasingly competitive.
Melbourne City
Melbourne City (Formerly Melbourne Heart: 2010–2014)
- Nickname: City
- Location: Melbourne, Victoria
- First A-League Season: 2010–11
- Stadium: AAMI Park – 30,050 capacity
- A-League Championship: 2020–21
- A-League Premiership: 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23
- Australia Cup: 2016
Beginning as Melbourne Heart before being taken over by City Football Group in 2014 and rebranded as Melbourne City, the club has rapidly ascended to the top of Australian football. The club has won several Premiers Plates and secured its first Championship in the 2020-21 season. The main rivalry is with Melbourne Victory. The 7-0 rout by City in April 2021 and the record crowd for an A-League Men's Grand Final in May 2025 goes to show that football in Melbourne is serious business.
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
- Nickname: Victory
- Location: Melbourne, Victoria
- First A-League Season: 2005–06
- Stadium: AAMI Park – 30,050 capacity (also plays some matches at Marvel Stadium – 53,359)
- A-League Championship: 2006–07, 2008–09, 2014–15, 2017–18
- A-League Premiership: 2006–07, 2008–09, 2014–15
- Australia Cup: 2015, 2021
Melbourne Victory is one of the A-League's most successful and widely supported clubs. As one of the original teams, Victory has built a large and passionate fanbase. They play at AAMI Park and also use Marvel Stadium for bigger matches and derbies like the aforementioned derby with Melbourne City. The other main rivalry is The Big Blue vs. Sydney FC. This rivalry dates back to the founding of the league, much like the Original Rivalry with Adelaide United.
Newcastle Jets
Newcastle Jets
- Nickname: The Jets
- Location: Newcastle, New South Wales
- First A-League Season: 2005–06
- Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium – 33,000 capacity
- A-League Championship: 2007–08
Newcastle Jets have been in the A-League since its inaugural season. Based in one of New South Wales' largest cities, they play in the McDonald Jones Stadium, which is also used for rugby league teams. The club achieved early glory with the 2007-08 Championship but hasn't been able to recapture that glory since. Their primary derby is the F3 Derby against the Central Coast Mariners. Matches against Sydney FC and Macarthur FC are also opportunities for regional bragging rights.
Perth Glory
Perth Glory
- Nickname: Glory
- Location: Perth, Western Australia
- First A-League Season: 2005–06
- Stadium: HBF Park – 20,500 capacity
- A-League Premiership: 2018–19
- NSL Championship (pre-A-League): 2002–03, 2003–04
Perth Glory is one of the oldest clubs, having operated since the National Soccer League (NSL) days. After a decade of average results, the 2018-19 Premiership was a resurgence. While fairly regionally isolated in the A-League, Glory enjoys matches against Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC, and Brisbane Roar, which draw big crowds.
Sydney FC
Sydney FC
- Nickname: The Sky Blues
- Location: Sydney, New South Wales
- First A-League Season: 2005–06
- Stadium: Allianz Stadium – 42,500 capacity
- A-League Championship: 2005–06, 2009–10, 2016–17, 2018–19, 2019–20
- A-League Premiership: 2009–10, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2019–20
- Australia Cup: 2017
The most decorated club in A-League history, Sydney FC has multiple Premiership and Championship titles. The club enjoys strong attendance, marquee player signings, and regular success. Its key rivalries are with Western Sydney Wanderers. This fierce local derby packs stadiums and is one of the biggest rivalries in Australian club football. There's also the intercity rivalry with Melbourne Victory, which garners national attention.
Wellington Phoenix
Wellington Phoenix
- Nickname: The Nix
- Location: Wellington, New Zealand
- First A-League Season: 2007–08
- Stadium: Sky Stadium – 34,500 capacity
- Honours: None (as of 2024)
Wellington Phoenix joined the A-League in 2007, replacing the New Zealand Knights. The Phoenix are yet to capture a major A-League title, but they have reached the playoff stages multiple times. So why do Wellington Phoenix play in the A-League? While the A-League is a predominantly Australian competition, it's always had its trans-Tasman link. Their new derby with Auckland FC is known as the New Zealand Derby.
Western Sydney Wanderers
Western Sydney Wanderers
- Nickname: Wanderers
- Location: Western Sydney, New South Wales
- First A-League Season: 2012–13
- Stadium: CommBank Stadium – 30,000 capacity
- A-League Premiership: 2012–13
- AFC Champions League: 2014
The Western Sydney Wanderers were mainly founded through community engagement. In their inaugural season, they reached the Grand Final. Two years later, they won the AFC Champions League in 2014, becoming the first Australian side to do so. Their main rivalry is with Sydney FC, but they also enjoy lesser regional rivalries with Macarthur FC and Central Coast Mariners.
Western United
Western United
- Nickname: Western United
- Location: Tarneit, Victoria (Greater Melbourne)
- First A-League Season: 2019–20
- Stadium: Multiple venues, including Mars Stadium (Ballarat), North Hobart Oval, and Lakeside Stadium. New permanent home at Tarneit Stadium under construction (~15,000 planned capacity)
- A-League Championship: 2021–22
Western United was formed in 2018 to represent Melbourne's outer-west and regional Victoria but spent a few years finding a permanent home. While currently playing home matches at Ironbark Fields, it's expecting a 15,000-seat facility in Tarneit for the 2026-27 season. Despite winning the 2021-22 Championship, attendance has been modest, with an average of just over 3,000 per game. Their main rivalry is the Westgate Derby vs. Melbourne Victory, with lesser key fixtures coming against Melbourne City, Newcastle Jets, and Brisbane Roar.
Auckland FC
Auckland FC
- Nickname: The Black Knights
- Location: Auckland, New Zealand
- First A-League Season: 2024–25
- Stadium: Go Media Stadium (Mount Smart Stadium) – 25,000 capacity
- A-League Premiership: 2024–25
Auckland made their debut in the A-League in the 2024-25 as an expansion team since the league doesn't have promotion or relegation. Their debut season was sensational, with them claiming the Premiership with two rounds to spare. With average home crowds of 18,100, they had the highest attendance in the league.
Their only real rivalry is the New Zealand Derby vs. Wellington Phoenix. However, since they're a new outfit, there's still time for other rivalries to develop.
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