A-League Women2026/2027 — Standings, Fixtures & Top Scorers

The A-League Women (formerly the W-League) is the top-tier professional women's football league in Australia and the highest level of women's soccer in the Southern Hemisphere. Originally launched in 2008 as the W-League by Football Australia (then Football Federation Australia), the competition was rebranded to A-League Women in September 2021 under a unified A-Leagues banner managed by Australian Professional Leagues (APL). The league is currently known as the Ninja A-League Women for sponsorship purposes.

The A-League Women season runs on a summer schedule from late October to April, making it one of the few top-flight women's football leagues operating during the Northern Hemisphere winter. The 2025/26 season features 11 teams after Football Australia removed Western United for financial reasons, reducing the field from 12. Each team plays a regular season followed by a finals series culminating in the Grand Final, which determines the season's champion.

Melbourne City have been the most dominant club in A-League Women history, winning a record four Championships including three consecutive titles from 2015/16 to 2017/18. Sydney FC have been the most consistent Premiership winners, claiming three straight regular-season titles from 2020/21 to 2022/23. Central Coast Mariners won their first-ever A-League Women title in 2024/25, defeating Melbourne Victory 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Grand Final. Melbourne City are the 2025/26 Premiers.

The A-League Women serves as the primary domestic development pathway for the Matildas, Australia's hugely popular women's national football team. The league's profile surged dramatically after the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, where the Matildas reached the semi-finals in front of record crowds — including over 75,000 fans at Stadium Australia in Sydney. The 2023/24 A-League Women season became the most attended season of any women's sport in Australian history, recording a total attendance of 284,551. Players like Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Steph Catley, Ellie Carpenter, and Katrina Gorry all developed in the Australian women's football system before becoming global stars.

A-League Women matches are broadcast on Paramount+ and Network 10 in Australia. The league's summer schedule means it runs during the off-season of most Northern Hemisphere leagues, providing fans with year-round women's football coverage worldwide.

The 2025/26 A-League Women season features 11 teams representing major cities across Australia and New Zealand. The full list of A-League Women teams is: Adelaide United Women, Brisbane Roar Women, Canberra United Women, Central Coast Mariners Women, Melbourne City Women, Melbourne Victory Women, Newcastle Jets Women, Perth Glory Women, Sydney FC Women, Wellington Phoenix Women, and Western Sydney Wanderers Women.

Wellington Phoenix Women are the sole New Zealand-based team in the competition, providing a trans-Tasman element to the A-League Women. Melbourne City and Sydney FC have historically been the strongest clubs in the A-League Women table, while Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners have emerged as competitive forces in recent seasons. Western United were removed from the league ahead of the 2025/26 season due to financial issues, reducing the competition from 12 to 11 teams.

Since the inaugural 2008/09 season, five clubs have been crowned A-League Women champions. Melbourne City hold the record with four Championship titles, including an unprecedented three consecutive Grand Final victories from 2015/16 to 2017/18. Queensland Roar (now Brisbane Roar) won the first-ever W-League title in 2009, defeating Canberra United 2-0.

Canberra United were dominant in the early W-League era, winning three titles between 2011 and 2014. Sydney FC have won multiple championships and hold the record for the most Premierships (regular-season titles). Central Coast Mariners won their maiden A-League Women championship in 2024/25 in dramatic fashion, defeating Melbourne Victory 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Grand Final.

The A-League Women Grand Final is the season's showpiece event, with the top teams from the regular season competing in a finals series to determine the champion.

The A-League Women is the foundation of the Matildas' success on the world stage. The vast majority of Matildas squad members have played in the A-League Women or W-League at some point in their careers, making the league Australia's most important women's football talent pipeline.

The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, co-hosted by Australia, transformed the landscape of women's football in the country. The Matildas' semi-final run against England drew over 75,000 fans to Stadium Australia in Sydney, generating record television audiences and inspiring a new generation of players. The resulting surge in popularity directly boosted A-League Women attendance, media coverage, and sponsorship investment — the 2023/24 season set the all-time attendance record for any women's sport in Australian history at 284,551.

World-class players who developed in the Australian women's football system include Sam Kerr (Chelsea), Caitlin Foord (Arsenal), Mary Fowler (Manchester City), Steph Catley (Arsenal), Ellie Carpenter (Lyon), Katrina Gorry, and Hayley Raso.

A-League Women matches are broadcast on Paramount+ and Network 10 in Australia. Paramount+ carries all matches live and on-demand, while Network 10 broadcasts select feature matches on free-to-air television. The league's broadcast deal expanded significantly following the 2023 Women's World Cup, reflecting the growing commercial value of women's football in Australia.

For international viewers, select A-League Women matches are available through various broadcast partners and streaming platforms. The league's summer schedule (October to April) means it runs during the off-season of most Northern Hemisphere leagues, offering fans year-round women's football coverage.

The A-League Women season runs from October to April, with 11 teams playing a regular season followed by a finals series. The A-League Women ladder (standings) determines which teams qualify for the finals, with the top teams entering a knockout bracket culminating in the Grand Final.

The Premiership is awarded to the team finishing top of the A-League Women table after the regular season, while the Championship goes to the Grand Final winner. Melbourne City have won both the most Premierships and Championships in A-League Women history.

The league operates under a salary cap system managed by the APL, designed to promote competitive balance. Clubs operate under the A-Leagues umbrella alongside the men's A-League competition, sharing infrastructure and resources.

• 11 teams compete in the 2025/26 season (reduced from 12 after Western United's removal)
• Founded in 2008 as the W-League, rebranded to A-League Women in September 2021
• Season runs October to April (Southern Hemisphere summer)
• Melbourne City hold the record with 4 Championship titles
• Central Coast Mariners won their first title in 2024/25 on penalties
• 2023/24 season set the all-time women's sport attendance record in Australia (284,551)
• Primary development pathway for the Matildas national team
• Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, and Steph Catley developed in this system
• Broadcast on Paramount+ and Network 10 in Australia
• Wellington Phoenix Women are the only New Zealand-based team

Who has won the most A-League Women titles?

Melbourne City hold the record with four A-League Women Championships, including three consecutive titles from 2015/16 to 2017/18. Five clubs have won the title: Melbourne City (4), Canberra United (3), Sydney FC, Brisbane Roar, and Central Coast Mariners.

What was the A-League Women previously called?

The A-League Women was originally launched in 2008 as the W-League. It was rebranded to A-League Women in September 2021 to align with the men's A-League under the unified A-Leagues banner managed by Australian Professional Leagues (APL).

How did the 2023 Women's World Cup impact the A-League Women?

The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, co-hosted by Australia, significantly boosted the A-League Women. The Matildas' semi-final run drew over 75,000 fans to one match, and the 2023/24 A-League Women season set the all-time women's sport attendance record in Australian history at 284,551.

Which famous players came from the A-League Women?

World-class players who developed in the A-League Women system include Sam Kerr (Chelsea), Caitlin Foord (Arsenal), Mary Fowler (Manchester City), Steph Catley (Arsenal), Ellie Carpenter (Lyon), Katrina Gorry, and Hayley Raso.

How does the A-League Women finals series work?

The top teams from the A-League Women ladder qualify for the finals series, a knockout bracket culminating in the Grand Final. The Premiership goes to the top regular-season team, while the Championship is awarded to the Grand Final winner.

What is the A-League Women ladder?

The A-League Women ladder is the league standings table showing all teams ranked by points. In Australian football terminology, 'ladder' is used instead of 'standings' or 'table'. The team finishing top of the ladder wins the Premiership.

Who are the current A-League Women champions?

Central Coast Mariners are the reigning A-League Women champions, having won their first-ever title in 2024/25. They defeated Melbourne Victory 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Grand Final. Melbourne City are the current Premiers (regular-season winners).

Last updated: 12 August 2026, 21:33 UTC