List of Australian men's soccer champions
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The Australian soccer champions are the winners of the highest league in Australian men's soccer, which since 2005–06 is currently the A-League Men.
The National Soccer League was established in 1977. At the end of the 1977 season, Sydney City (now Hakoah Sydney City East) were the first club to be crowned champions.
As is the case in most Australian sports, the winners of a post-season playoffs competition, known as the Finals, has traditionally been crowned champion, unlike the first-past-the-post system used in many other countries. The team that finished first-past-the-post was often referred to as the Minor Premiers while the Finals winning team was awarded the Premiership. In an attempt to create more prestige around the first-past-the-post title, it was renamed the Premiership and the finals winning team is now awarded the Championship. The 2024–25 season is the 48th season of national level men's soccer in Australia.
Background
In 1977, the Australian Soccer Association established the National Soccer League (NSL) of Australia,[1] which included teams from Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. The competition ran a promotion-relegation system for its entire lifespan as well as a knockout cup competition.
For the first seven seasons, the NSL awarded the championship to the team that finished first-past-the-post and was dominated by Sydney-based teams. By the mid-80s, the league had introduced a post-season playoffs competition that would crown the champions and the title was shared more evenly around the nation. Seasons initially ran over the winter months until 1989 when it was changed to the summer months to avoid conflicts with Australian rules football and the two rugby codes. By 2000, each major capital city had secured at least one NSL title outside of Perth. The Perth Glory made history in 2002–03 when they were crowned champions and the victory meant the five major cities of Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney had all secured at least one NSL title over the duration of the league's history.[citation needed]
The National Soccer League was disbanded in 2004 and an 8-team A-League Men competition was established in 2005, which included a salary cap and no promotion-relegation. Adelaide, Newcastle and Perth were the only NSL teams retained in the new competition. It included one team from each of the major capital cities, two regional teams and a team from New Zealand. As is the case in many sporting leagues in Australia, a New Zealand-based team has been allowed entry into the top tiered Australian league since 1999. The decision to retain a New Zealand-based team in the top league has proved problematic in recent years due to Football Federation Australia's decision to move from the Oceania Football Confederation to the Asian Football Confederation in 2006. As a result, a New Zealand-based team can be crowned Premiers and/or Champions of Australia but is ineligible to compete in the Asian Champions League.[2]
Lists of champions
National Soccer League (1977–2004)
A-League Men (2005–present)
Total championships won
There are 21 clubs who have won an Australian championship (either by winning the grand final or finishing top of the league in the seasons without a grand final), including eight who have won the A-League Men (2005–present). The most recent clubs to win their inaugural championship were Western United (2021–22 champions), Melbourne City (2020–21) and Adelaide United (2015–16).
Six teams have finished as runner-up without ever winning the championship: Heidelberg United (1979, 1980), Preston Lions (1987), Sydney United 58 (1988, 1996–97, 1998–99), Carlton (1997–98), Parramatta Power (2003–04) and Western Sydney Wanderers (2012–13, 2013–14, 2015–16).
Teams in bold compete in the A-League Men as of the 2024–25 season.
| Club | Winners | Runners-up | Winning seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney FC | 5 | 2 | 2005–06, 2009–10, 2016–17, 2018–19, 2019–20 |
| Melbourne Victory | 4 | 4 | 2006–07, 2008–09, 2014–15, 2017–18 |
| Hakoah Sydney City East | 3 | 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982 | |
| Marconi Stallions | 1979, 1988, 1989, 1992–93 | ||
| South Melbourne | 2 | 1984, 1990–91, 1997–98, 1998–99 | |
| Central Coast Mariners | 3 | 3 | 2012–13, 2022–23, 2023–24 |
| Adelaide City | 2 | 1986, 1991–92, 1993–94 | |
| Brisbane Roar | 0 | 2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14 | |
| Sydney Olympic | 2 | 4 | 1989–90, 2001–02 |
| Perth Glory | 2002–03, 2003–04 | ||
| Melbourne Knights | 3 | 1994–95, 1995–96 | |
| Melbourne City | 2020–21, 2024–25 | ||
| Wollongong Wolves | 0 | 1999–2000, 2000–01 | |
| Adelaide United | 1 | 2 | 2015–16 |
| St George | 1 | 1983 | |
| Newcastle Jets | 2007–08 | ||
| West Adelaide | 0 | 1978 | |
| Brunswick Juventus | 1985 | ||
| APIA Leichhardt | 1987 | ||
| Brisbane Strikers | 1996–97 | ||
| Western United | 2021–22 |
By city
| City | Championships | Clubs |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 17 | Sydney FC (5), Hakoah Sydney City East (4), Marconi Fairfield (4), Sydney Olympic (2), St George (1), APIA Leichhardt (1) |
| Melbourne | 14 | South Melbourne (4), Melbourne Victory (4), Melbourne Knights (2), Melbourne City (2), Brunswick Juventus (1), Western United (1) |
| Adelaide | 5 | Adelaide City (3), West Adelaide (1), Adelaide United (1) |
| Brisbane | 4 | Brisbane Roar (3), Brisbane Strikers (1) |
| Gosford | 3 | Central Coast Mariners (3) |
| Perth | 2 | Perth Glory (2) |
| Wollongong | 2 | Wollongong Wolves (2) |
| Newcastle | 1 | Newcastle Jets (1) |
Australian soccer champions map
Lists of premiers
National Soccer League (1977–2004)
| Season | Premiers (number of titles) |
|---|---|
| 1984 | Sydney City |
| 1985 | Sydney City (2) |
| 1986 | Sydney United |
| 1988 | Wollongong Wolves |
| 1989 | Marconi Stallions |
| 1989–90 | Marconi Stallions (2) |
| 1990–91 | Melbourne Knights |
| 1991–92 | Melbourne Knights (2) |
| 1992–93 | South Melbourne |
| 1993–94 | Melbourne Knights (3) |
| 1994–95 | Melbourne Knights (4) |
| 1995–96 | Marconi Stallions (3) |
| 1996–97 | Sydney United (2) |
| 1997–98 | South Melbourne (2) |
| 1998–99 | Sydney United (3) |
| 1999–2000 | Perth Glory |
| 2000–01 | South Melbourne (3) |
| 2001–02 | Perth Glory (2) |
| 2002–03 | Sydney Olympic |
| 2003–04 | Perth Glory (3) |
A-League Men (2005–present)
| Season | Premiers (number of titles) |
|---|---|
| 2005–06 | Adelaide United |
| 2006–07 | Melbourne Victory |
| 2007–08 | Central Coast Mariners |
| 2008–09 | Melbourne Victory (2) |
| 2009–10 | Sydney FC |
| 2010–11 | Brisbane Roar |
| 2011–12 | Central Coast Mariners (2) |
| 2012–13 | Western Sydney Wanderers |
| 2013–14 | Brisbane Roar (2) |
| 2014–15 | Melbourne Victory (3) |
| 2015–16 | Adelaide United (2) |
| 2016–17 | Sydney FC (2) |
| 2017–18 | Sydney FC (3) |
| 2018–19 | Perth Glory (4) |
| 2019–20 | Sydney FC (4) |
| 2020–21 | Melbourne City |
| 2021–22 | Melbourne City (2) |
| 2022–23 | Melbourne City (3) |
| 2023–24 | Central Coast Mariners (3) |
| 2024–25 | Auckland FC[g] |
Total Premierships won
Teams in bold competed in the A-League as of the 2025–26 season.
| Club | Winners | Runners-up | Winning seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney FC | 4 |
4 |
2009–10, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2019–20 |
| Melbourne Knights | 4 |
1 |
1990–91, 1991–92, 1993–94, 1994–95 |
| Perth Glory | 4 |
1 |
1999–2000, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2018–19 |
| South Melbourne | 3 |
5 |
1992–93, 1997–98, 2000–01 |
| Central Coast Mariners | 3 |
3 |
2007–08, 2011–12, 2023–24 |
| Melbourne Victory | 3 |
3 |
2006–07, 2008–09, 2014–15 |
| Sydney United | 3 |
2 |
1986, 1996–97, 1998–99 |
| Marconi Stallions | 3 |
1 |
1989, 1989–90, 1995–96 |
| Melbourne City | 3 |
1 |
2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23 |
| Adelaide United | 2 |
2 |
2005–06, 2015–16 |
| Brisbane Roar | 2 |
1 |
2010–11, 2013–14 |
| Sydney City | 2 |
0 |
1984, 1985 |
| Sydney Olympic | 1 |
3 |
2002–03 |
| Western Sydney Wanderers | 1 |
2 |
2012–13 |
| Wollongong Wolves | 1 |
2 |
1988 |
| Auckland FC | 1 |
0 |
2024-25 |
By City
| City | Championships | Clubs |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 13 | Sydney FC (4), Sydney United (3), Marconi Stallions (3), Sydney City (2), Sydney Olympic (1) |
| Melbourne | 13 | Melbourne Knights (4), South Melbourne (3), Melbourne Victory (3), Melbourne City (3) |
| Perth | 4 | Perth Glory (4) |
| Gosford | 3 | Central Coast Mariners (3) |
| Brisbane | 2 | Brisbane Roar (2) |
| Wollongong | 1 | Wollongong Wolves (1) |
| Auckland (NZ) | 1 | Auckland FC (1) |
Australian soccer Premiers map
National Cup winners
| Cup winners also won the NSL/A-League Men Championship that season | |
| Cup winners also won the NSL/A-League Men Premiership that season | |
| Cup winners also won the NSL/A-League Men Championship and Premiership that season |
Australia Cup
| Season | Cup Winner (number of titles) | Score | Runners-up | Clubs participating | Top goalscorer | Goals[13] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Sydney Yugal (1) | 8–1 | St. George Budapest | 16 | 6 | |
| 1963 | Slavia Melbourne (1) | 0–0 3–2 |
Polonia Melbourne | 24 | 6 | |
| 1964 | George Cross (1) | 3–2 (a.e.t.) | APIA Leichhardt | 19 | 7 | |
| 1965 | Sydney Hakoah (1) | 1–1 (13–13 p) 2–1 (replay) |
APIA Leichhardt | 13 | 6 | |
| 1966 | APIA Leichhardt (1) | 2–0 | Sydney Hakoah | 16 | 4 | |
| 1967 | Melbourne Hungaria (1) | 4–3 | APIA Leichhardt | 16 | 6 | |
| 1968 | Sydney Hakoah (2) | 3–0 3–1 |
Melbourne Hakoah | 18 | 4 |
NSL Cup
FFA Cup / Australia Cup
Total Cups won
| Club | Winners | Runners-up | Winning seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| APIA Leichhardt | 3 |
3 |
1966, 1982, 1988 |
| Adelaide United | 3 |
1 |
2014, 2018, 2019 |
| Adelaide City | 3 |
1 |
1979, 1989, 1991–92 |
| Sydney City | 3 |
1 |
1965, 1968, 1986 |
| Sydney FC | 2 |
2 |
2017, 2023 |
| Sydney Olympic | 2 |
2 |
1983, 1985 |
| Melbourne Victory | 2 |
1 |
2015, 2021 |
| Parramatta Eagles | 2 |
1 |
1990–91, 1993–94 |
| South Melbourne | 2 |
1 |
1989–90, 1995–96 |
| Brisbane City | 2 |
0 |
1977, 1978 |
| Macarthur FC | 2 |
0 |
2022, 2024 |
| Heidelberg United | 1 |
4 |
1992–93 |
| Marconi Stallions | 1 |
3 |
1980 |
| Melbourne Knights | 1 |
1 |
1994–95 |
| Sydney United | 1 |
1 |
1987 |
| Brisbane Roar | 1 |
1 |
19815 |
| Melbourne City | 1 |
1 |
2016 |
| Collingwood Warriors | 1 |
0 |
1996–97 |
| George Cross | 1 |
0 |
1964 |
| Melbourne Hungaria | 1 |
0 |
1967 |
| Newcastle Rosebud | 1 |
0 |
1984 |
| Newcastle Jets | 1 |
0 |
2025 |
| Slavia Melbourne | 1 |
0 |
1963 |
| Sydney Yugal | 1 |
0 |
1962 |
Continental Champions
Oceania Club Championship
| Season | Champions | Score | Runners-up | Number of clubs participating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Adelaide City | 1–1 (4–1 p) | 9 | |
| 1999 | South Melbourne | 5–1 | 9 | |
| 2001 | Wollongong Wolves | 1–0 | 11 | |
| 2005 | Sydney FC | 2–0 | 13 |
Oceania Cup Winners' Cup
| Season | Champions | Score | Runners-up | Number of clubs participating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Sydney City | 2–0 | 2 |
AFC Champions League
| Season | Champions | Score | Runners-up | Number of clubs participating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014[16] | Western Sydney Wanderers | 1–0 0–0 |
47 |
AFC Cup
| Season | Champions | Score | Runners-up | Number of clubs participating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | Central Coast Mariners | 1–0 | 49 |
Multiple trophy wins
The Double
| Continental Double OFC (1966–2004) / AFC (2005–present) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Club | Season | Titles |
| South Melbourne | 1998–99 |
NSL Premiership, Oceania Club Championship |
| Wollongong Wolves | 2000–01 |
NSL Premiership, Oceania Club Championship |
Total Doubles
Continental Double
| Continental Double OFC (1966–2004) / AFC (2005–present) | ||
|---|---|---|
| count | Team | Seasons |
| 1 | South Melbourne | 1998–99 |
| 1 | Wollongong Wolves | 2000–01 |
Domestic Double
| Domestic Double | ||
|---|---|---|
| count | Team | Seasons |
| 4 | Sydney FC | 2009–10, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2019–20 |
| 3 | Melbourne Victory | 2006–07, 2008–09, 2014–15 |
| 2 | Brisbane Roar | 2010–11, 2013–14 |
| 2 | South Melbourne | 1984, 1997–98 |
| 1 | Central Coast Mariners FC | 2023–24 |
| 1 | Melbourne City FC | 2020–21 |
| 1 | Adelaide United | 2015–16 |
| 1 | Perth Glory | 2003–04 |
| 1 | Melbourne Knights | 1994–95 |
| 1 | Adelaide City | 1991–92 |
| 1 | Marconi Stallions | 1989 |
The Treble
| Continental Treble OFC (1966–2004) / AFC (2005–present) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Club | Season | Titles |
| Central Coast Mariners[17][18] | A-League Men Premiership, A-League Men Championship, AFC Cup | |
| Domestic Treble (Season) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Club | Season | Titles |
| Melbourne Knights | 1994–95 |
NSL Minor Premiership, NSL Premiership, NSL Cup |
Note: In the 2008–09 season Melbourne Victory won all three pieces of A-League silverware on offer, the Pre-Season Challenge Cup, the Premiership, and the Championship.
| Domestic Treble (Calendar Year) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Club | Year | Titles |
| Melbourne Victory[19] | 2015 |
A-League Premiership, A-League Championship, FFA Cup |
| Sydney FC[20] | 2017 |
A-League Premiership, A-League Championship, FFA Cup |
Pre-Season Cup winners
Australian Club World Championship Qualifying Tournament
| Season | Champions | Score | Runners-up | Clubs participating | Top goalscorer | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Sydney FC | 1–0 | Central Coast Mariners | 7 | 3 |
A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup
| Season | Champions | Score | Runners-up | Clubs participating | Top goalscorer | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Central Coast Mariners | 1–0 | Perth Glory | 8 | 3 | |
| 2006 | Adelaide United | 1–1 (5–4 p) | Central Coast Mariners | 8 | 3 | |
| 2007 | Adelaide United | 2–1 | Perth Glory | 8 | 3 | |
| 2008 | Melbourne Victory | 0–0 (8–7 p) | Wellington Phoenix | 8 | 2 |
Note: All seasons were exclusive to A-League clubs only.
Multiple title winners
Clubs in bold play in the A-League.
| Team | Champions | League Premiers | Cup Winners | Continental Winners | Pre-Season Cup | Charity Shield | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney FC | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 13 |
| Sydney City | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | 11 |
| South Melbourne | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 10 |
| Melbourne Victory | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Marconi Stallions | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 9 |
| Central Coast Mariners | 3 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 8 |
| Adelaide United | 1 | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Adelaide City | 3 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | 7 |
| Melbourne Knights | 2 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Perth Glory | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 6 |
| Melbourne City | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Brisbane Roar | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 5 |
| Sydney Olympic | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wollongong Wolves | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 4 |
| APIA Leichhardt | 1 | — | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Sydney United | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Newcastle Jets | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 |
| Western Sydney Wanderers | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | |
| Brisbane City | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Macarthur FC | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Parramatta | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
See also
Notes
- Hakoah Sydney City East were known as Sydney City until 1987.
- Marconi Stallions were known as Marconi Fairfield until 2004.
- Also won Premiers.
- Brunswick Zebras were known as Brunswick Juventus until 1993.
- Also won the A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup
- Club based in New Zealand.
- In 2016 the FFA confirmed Brisbane Roar assumed all of the Brisbane Lions FC's NSL history and were therefore credited the 1981 NSL Cup honour.[14]