As the 2025/26 season of the A-Leagues comes to a close, the league reflects on a remarkable year characterized by thrilling matches, record-breaking attendance, and significant growth in viewership.

Record Attendance and Viewership

This season, the A-Leagues attracted over 1.6 million fans to stadiums across Australia and New Zealand, while the cumulative television audience on free-to-air platforms exceeded 11 million. Fans were drawn to watch both emerging talents and established international players in two highly competitive campaigns.

Digital engagement also saw a notable increase, with A-League and club social media followers rising to over 7.4 million, marking a 10% growth. Additionally, website visitors increased by 6% to 8.2 million, and app users grew by 14%, reflecting the league's expanding reach.

Highlights of the Season

The Newcastle Jets, boasting the youngest squad in the league, won their first Premier’s Plate with an exciting style of play. Meanwhile, Auckland FC made history by winning the Championship in the inaugural A-League Grand Final held in New Zealand. Sam Cosgrove of Auckland FC and Luka Jovanović from Adelaide United both finished the season as joint Golden Boot winners, each scoring 11 goals. Eli Adams from Newcastle was recognized as the Young Footballer of the Year.

Throughout the season, a total of 163 matches were played, averaging 2.82 goals per game. The final weekend confirmed the top six positions in the ladder, with only 12 points separating second from tenth place. Despite having 13 fewer matches than the previous season, cumulative attendance reached 1.45 million.

Impressive Streaming and Finals Series

The season also saw a record-breaking streaming audience, with average minutes and stream starts increasing by 27% on Paramount+ and 17% on 10 Streaming. The Finals Series was particularly noteworthy, featuring three sold-out matches and a 22% rise in total attendance compared to last season's finals. The Grand Final marked the third consecutive sell-out, drawing over 1.1 million viewers across both countries.

Additionally, the influence of the A-League was evident in international competitions, with ten players from the league included in New Zealand’s All Whites squad and five in the Socceroos’ final squad. The Socceroos have qualified for every World Cup since the A-League's inception, with 19 of the final 26-man squad having played in the league, averaging over 80 games each.

In terms of attendance records, the Newcastle Jets achieved their highest attendance since 2018, with a Semi-Final crowd of 25,028. Adelaide United also recorded their best season average in three years, while Perth Glory celebrated their strongest crowd since 2021, reaching 12,594. Juan Mata of Melbourne Victory was awarded the prestigious 2026 Johnny Warren Medal, recognizing him as the best player in the Isuzu UTE A-League.

As the A-Leagues look ahead, the 2025/26 season has set a strong foundation for future growth and excitement in Australian and New Zealand football.