A-League news: Football fans rejoice as new ‘Unite Round’ replaces NSW grand final deal
The controversial decision to sell the A-League Men’s and Women’s grand finals has been reversed, and replaced with a new ‘Unite Round’ in a massive win for football fans.
Football
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The controversial decision to sell the hosting rights to the A-League Men’s and Women’s grand finals has been reversed and replaced with a new Unite Round in a massive win for fans.
The decision by the Australian Professional Leagues last season to sell off the grand finals to Destination NSW backfired when fans staged protests that culminated in a pitch invasion.
The backlash has led the APL to broker a new deal.
It has taken back the grand final rights and offered up its own version of the NRL’s highly successful Magic Round in Brisbane, which it has dubbed Unite Round.
It is understood the $12 million deal to sell the grand finals to Sydney for three years has been exchanged in the agreement for Unite Round, which means neither the A-League nor NSW Government had to change the financial terms.
Fans have backed the move and described it as better late than never.
“It’s a shame the game and the A-League had to lose so much skin to get to the right answer,” one fan shared on Twitter.
Another said “football in Australia has finally won”.
Others have called for the new round to be shared around the other states.
Well done to everyone for sorting this out - Unite Round in Sydney is far, far better than having the Grand Final there. It's a shame the game and the A-League had to lose so much skin to get to the right answer. #ALeaguehttps://t.co/k66zjpaWty
— Raymond Nolan (@raymondnolan81) October 17, 2023
The round, featuring men’s and women’s teams, will be played across three Sydney stadiums from January 12-14.
The grand finals will be played at the home ground of the highest-placed winning team from the semi-finals – as it always had been before last season.
Games will be played at the Sydney Football Stadium, Parramatta Stadium and Leichhardt Oval.
Unite Round will be an extra fixture for the men and take the competition to 27 games a season, while the women will play the usual 12 matches.
Grassroots competitions will be played in line with the weekend of football and a live site at Moore Park will feature a fan park and viewing party for the AFC Asian Cup match in Qatar between Australia and the Indian men’s team on January 13 at 10.30pm (AEDT).
APL CEO Danny Townsend, who helped broker the original deal, said the backflip came following consultation with fans.
“We have worked closely with our clubs and fans to ensure that there are suitable constructive mechanisms for the voices of fans to be heard,” Townsend said.
“Many of the resulting conversations have included the hosting of the grand finals, and the strong sentiments around that, and we thank DNSW and Premier [Chris] Minns for their partnership in creating a truly inclusive experience for our game.
“The Unite Round is a brand new experience which brings together all A-League clubs, fans and grassroots players for the very first time in Sydney in an unprecedented celebration of football.
“With the women’s domestic attendance record already broken twice on the first day of this season, we are looking forward to welcoming A-League fans, old and new, to experience our leagues.”
Football Supporters Association Australia is happy with the decision.
“From the outset it was very clear that a very large portion of A-League members and supporters were against the initial decision to go against the long-held tradition of awarding the grand final hosting rights on merit,” a statement published on its social media channels read.
“We are grateful that the voice of fans has been listened to and we thank the APL and NSW Government for their willingness to alter the original agreement for the good of the game, the league and the millions who support it.
“We welcome the new Unite Round initiative designed to bring football fans together through the A-League season.”
STATEMENT | A-leagues' Grand Finals pic.twitter.com/Wyt0dtIiVE
— Football Supporters Association Australia (Inc) (@FSAAustralia) October 17, 2023
Stephen Conroy, the newly appointed APL chair, said the move was a big win for fans.
“We saw record crowds in the men’s and women’s finals series last season and we again saw the appetite for professional football in NSW during the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” Conroy said.
“Having all our teams play in one place, over one weekend, is a fantastic way to serve up the best of the A-League for our fans.
“We are one of the only leagues in the world where almost every club has both men’s and women’s teams, so we are uniquely positioned to create an event like this.
“We thank Premier Minns and the NSW Government for this fundamentally important partnership and for their continuing support for the development of football in Australia.”
Premier Chris Minns supported the new concept.
“Unite Round is great news for the football community, and for NSW,’’ he said.
“This will bring fans and players from around the country together in Sydney.
“I encourage fans to get involved in this festival of football.”
More Coverage
Originally published as A-League news: Football fans rejoice as new ‘Unite Round’ replaces NSW grand final deal
Matildas’ most successful coach returns
The Matildas’ most successful coach is back, at least for a short stint, stepping into the void left by Tony Gustavsson after his post-Olympic exit.
Matildas call on familiar name as new coach
As a global search continues for the next full-time coach of the Matildas, Football Australia has turned to a familiar face to take charge for the immediate future.