A-League expansion: 11 teams for 2019-20 as Melbourne, Sydney teams get green light

The A-League will have an 11-team competition next season, while another team will be added the following year.

FFA chief David Gallop will announce the league’s expansion plan today. Picture: Getty

The A-League will have an 11-team competition next season after the Western Melbourne Group was given the go-ahead to join it.

Macarthur South West Sydney will be included in the revamped national competition, although their entry will be delayed until the following season (2020-2021).

It is understood negotiations involving several of the bids and Football Federation Australia went deep into Wednesday night.

The move was announced today by new FFA chairman Chris Nikou and CEO David Gallop.

“An expanded Hyundai A-League will connect new communities in our two biggest markets, create new rivalries, bigger television audiences, more derbies and importantly, further opportunities for Australian footballers to play at the highest level in this country,” Nikou said.

“Football-specific stadia have been extremely successful in league expansion in other parts of the world and we are excited by the prospect of such a facility in Melbourne.”

FFA chief executive David Gallop said their ready-made broadcast-suitable home venue at Campbelltown Stadium was key in landing a licence.

“Macarthur South West is a region with a rich football history that when blended with a fast-growing demography creates an exciting future for the game. A ready- made rectangular stadium will also deliver an enjoyable match day experience for fans,” Gallop said.

“Both of the new teams will start their life in the Hyundai A-League in grounds that will allow us and our broadcast partners to present the league in the best possible way and at high quality venues.”

The two bids were among the favourites for most of the 12-month bidding process, though Canberra was thought to have made a very strong late run while Team 11 was also very much in the reckoning.

The other two bids, Southern Expansion and South Melbourne, lost ground during the process.

WMG, based in Melbourne’s west, have promised to fund the building of a boutique stadium without any government help and that is understood to have been a key factor in their inclusion.

Team 11’s bid, which had the backing of Jayco owner Gerry Ryan, needed the support of the Victorian government to build their own stadium at a cost believed to be around $150 million. But it is understood the commitment from the government wasn’t forthcoming.