SBS On Demand is the place to watch all 55 matches of the Australian Championship - LIVE and FREE from October 10 - with 17 live 'Super Saturday' matches LIVE on SBS, and the opening match live on SBS VICELAND.
Featuring 16 of the best clubs from around the country, the inaugural competition kicks off on October 10 and will feature 55 matches across three months, culminating in the final on December 6 - the same day as the final draw for the FIFA World Cup 26ᵀᴹ.
17 of those 55 matches will be broadcast live on SBS, with the opening match live on SBS VICELAND, as well as every match available to live stream via SBS On Demand - meaning you won't miss a second from whistle to whistle.
The Australian Championship trophy, which will be awarded to the winners of the final on December 6. Source: SBS
Four seeded Foundation Clubs - including South Melbourne FC (Group A), Marconi Stallions FC (Group B), Avondale FC (Group C) and APIA Leichhardt FC (Group D) - will be joined by the remaining Foundation Clubs and eight NPL Premiers to create four balanced groups.
“As the spiritual home of football in Australia, SBS is the natural home for the Australian Championship," SBS Director of Sport, Ken Shipp said.
"[This is] an aspirational competition that will create a pathway for many of Australia’s brightest young players from the sport’s grassroots to the highest-level competition in the land, the Isuzu UTE A-league Men’s competition."
"SBS's football offering now includes compelling competitions at every level and for every fan - including, of course, the FIFA World Cup 26ᵀᴹ.
“Our partnership with SBS is a landmark moment for Australian football and the Australian Championship," added Heather Garriock, Interim Football Australia CEO.
“Accessibility sits at the heart of this agreement. Whether you’re watching on free-to-air television or streaming on SBS On Demand, every fan - from the city to our local football communities - can experience the very best of the Australian Championship.
"SBS shares our passion for uniting the game and our commitment to making it accessible to everyone.
"Together, we’re not just broadcasting matches - we’re building a national platform that celebrates Australian football’s storied past whilst also investing in future generations.
"It’s going to be a blockbuster start to the next era of Australian football."
SBS provides a depth and breadth of football coverage for Australian fans that no other network or platform can match – from clubland to the FIFA World Cup™.
The broadcast schedule over the coming months includes a feast of national and international games, building momentum towards the FIFA World Cup 2026™, which will be broadcast live and exclusively on SBS and SBS On Demand.
The slate includes the Australian Championships, the featured match of the week from the MLS ’Sunday Night Soccer’ program, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ draw, and the Road to FIFA World Cup 2026TM Hub on SBS On Demand - featuring match replays, highlights, classic finals and iconic Socceroos moments.
