About the Competition

What is the Australia Cup?

The Australia Cup is a national knockout tournament run by Football Australia in conjunction with every State and Territory Member Federation in the country.

The competition commences with the Preliminary Rounds before moving into the Final Rounds (from the Round of 32 onwards), the stage when the A-League Men clubs join the fray.

Each and every cup tie must be decided on the day, with extra time and penalties to decide results if matches are drawn after 90 minutes.

Number of competing clubs 

  • 2014: 631
  • 2015: 648
  • 2016: 701
  • 2017: 732
  • 2018: 772
  • 2019: 737
  • 2020: N/A
  • 2021: 742
  • 2022: 742
  • 2023: 775
  • 2024: TBC
1. How are the slots for the Round of 32 decided?

Each state and territory is allocated a number of slots in the Round of 32, based on the number of registered players and number of each Member Federation’s entrants in the Preliminary Rounds. Each state and territory decides the qualification route.

The Australia Cup became a truly national competition in 2015 when the Northern Territory started to participate in the Preliminary Rounds (pre Round of 32) and were granted a slot in the Round of 32.

The decision in regard to determining the number of slots each Member Federation receives is made after a review of the previous year and feedback received from the Australia Cup Advisory Committee which is comprised of representatives from the Member Federations, A-League Men clubs, the Professional Footballers Association and Football Australia. 

From 2015 to 2019 the competition also saw the start of an automatic Round of 32 slot being allocated to the reigning National Premier Leagues Champions of Australia.

Due to the NPL Final Series not taking place in 2023, Football Australia has retained the allocation of this slot and in 2024 will be awarded to Football Victoria. The allocation of this slot will be reviewed and awarded each year.

In 2024, the ten A-League clubs will be determined by:
- Top 8 qualifying directly into the Final Rounds
- Bottom four playing off for final two spots (9th v 12th and 10th v 11th)

The final allocation for the Round of 32 in 2024 comprises:

  • Football Victoria - 5* clubs
  • Football NSW - 4 clubs
  • Football Queensland - 4 clubs
  • Football West - 2 clubs
  • Northern NSW Football - 2 clubs
  • Capital Football - 1 club
  • Football South Australia - 2 clubs
  • Football Tasmania - 1 club
  • Football Northern Territory - 1 club
  • A-League Men - 10 clubs 

*Fifth slot awarded to Football Victoria for 2024 only

2. Where will the Australia Cup be broadcast?

From 2014-2020, the FFA Cup was broadcast on Fox Sports. 

From 2021 the FFA Cup was broadcast by Network 10 and in 2024 will continue on Network 10 under the competition name, Australia Cup. How to watch the Australia Cup.

3. What are the Preliminary Round start dates and format for each State and Territory?

The Australia Cup 2024 Preliminary Rounds will commence as per below.

Please visit the respective Member Federation website for Preliminary Round fixtures and results.

Football NSW

TBC

Football Northern NSW

TBC

Football Victoria

TBC

Football Queensland

TBC

Football South Australia

TBC

Football West

TBC

Football Tasmania

TBC

Capital Football

TBC

Football Northern Territory

TBC

4. What are the dates of the Australia Cup 2024 Final Round matches?

The dates will be confirmed at a later date.

Round of 32 
 

Round of 16 
 

Quarter Finals 
 

Semi Finals 
 

Cup Final 
 

5. What are the Draw Principles for the Australia Cup Draw?

The draw will be entirely open throughout the Final Rounds.

There is no longer a fixed path of any member federation team.

6. Why is Wellington Phoenix participating in the Australia Cup?

As a club licensed by Football Australia to participate in the A-League Men, Wellington Phoenix should be afforded the same opportunity as other A-League men clubs to play in the Australia Cup. As a professional club, Wellington Phoenix is not able to play in New Zealand Football's Chatham Cup.

In accordance with FIFA Regulations, Wellington Phoenix's participation in the Australia Cup has been approved by FIFA, the AFC, the OFC and New Zealand Football.

Wellington Phoenix will play all Australia Cup matches in Australia and always deemed the away team.

7. Will Football Australia cover the costs of travel for competing Clubs?

Football Australia will cover reasonable flights, ground transport and accommodation for a travelling party of 23 for each travelling Away club and provides a nominated amount as a meal allowance.

8. Who retains the rights to ticket revenue?

The home club will incur applicable venue hosting costs and receive all associated ticket revenue, excluding the Australia Cup Final which will be run by Football Australia.

9. How will the home Clubs be determined?

Where matches involve Member Federation clubs only, the first drawn club will be given hosting rights.

Where matches involve a Member Federation club and a A-League Men club, the Member Federation club will be given the right to host.

Where both clubs involved are A-League Men clubs, the first drawn club will have hosting rights other then Wellington Phoenix.

10. Will suburban grounds be able to meet the Australia Cup Venue and Security Standards for broadcast matches?

Football Australia wants to embrace the unique atmosphere of cup competitions and play as many Australia Cup matches at suburban grounds as possible.

However, each venue will need to meet appropriate Minimum Venue and Security Standards that will be in place for the Australia Cup.

11. Why are matches scheduled midweek and on weekends?

Football Australia will endeavour to schedule matches on a Wednesday night. To provide consistency for the viewer and fan to identify with Wednesday nights as the nights to watch the Australia Cup.

In a successful initiative, weekends will be used to help maximise and enhance spectator, broadcast and commercial opportunities associated with the Final Rounds.

As in 2023, the Australia Final 2024 will be played in the prime time Saturday night slot on Network 10.

For player welfare reasons, matches may be rescheduled depending on the league fixtures of the participating clubs.

12. Where will be Australia Cup Final be played?

A decision on the Australia Cup Final 2024 venue will be revealed in due course.