Four A-League clubs to fight for Australia Cup inclusion in Darwin

Brisbane Roar, Newcastle Jets, Western United and Perth Glory are heading to Darwin in the hope of securing a berth in the main draw of the Australia Cup.

Darwin will again host this year’s Australia Cup playoffs to determine which two of the A-League’s bottom four clubs will qualify for the knockout competition’s round-of-32 stage.

Brisbane Roar, Newcastle Jets, Western United and Perth Glory – who finished ninth to last respectively in the 2023-24 A-League season – will travel to the Northern Territory in July to fight for their Cup inclusion.

The Roar meet cellars dwellers Perth on July 23, with the Jets to take on Western United the following night.

Both matches will be played at Darwin Football Stadium, with the two winning teams to join the eight other A-League clubs in main Australia Cup draw.

It’s the second successive year Darwin will host the Cup playoffs. Previously, the higher-ranked teams earnt hosting rights.

Newcastle’s Clayton Taylor (left) and Western United’s Michael Ruhs are set to do battle in an Australia Cup playoff in Darwin in July. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

“We are committed to our strategy of taking elite football to as many cities as possible to showcase established or emerging talent to different audiences and support the growth of football across the whole of Australia,” Football Australia chief executive officer James Johnson said.

“The past 12 months for Football Australia have seen a huge period of growth due in part to deliberately taking football activity to each corner of our country, and we are excited that Darwin will once again be hosting the Australia Cup playoffs.

“The Australia Cup playoffs will provide football fans and event goers throughout the Northern Territory and beyond with the opportunity to attend two high quality matches

featuring four A-League teams from four different states of Australia.”

Football Northern Territory chief executive officer Bruce Stalder said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for the local football community once again and I know local football fans will take advantage of the great two-day football event, at a great price and at a great venue.”