The View from the Chair: The receipts are in the bank for Australian football in 2026

2025 was a year of transition. The Socceroos reset, the Matildas rebuilt, and the A-Leagues held the line... just.

We saw the National Second Tier finally take the field—a glimpse of the future and a nod to the past, even if the picture is still developing.

But if 2025 was the purchase, 2026 is the year we check the receipts and hold football leaders to account.

We are staring down the barrel of one of the biggest years in Australian football history. An AFC Women’s Asian Cup on home soil.

A Men’s World Cup with a new generation. A domestic league fighting for its soul, and a National Second Tier ready to prove it belongs.

Let’s not just hope for these things. Let’s demand them: A successful Asian Cup. A deep World Cup run. And football leaders who genuinely engage supporters in decision-making processes.

It sounds ambitious. But ambition is exactly what this game needs right now.

Our Pillars in Action: Lead, Unite, Advocate

While the game transitioned, the FSAA didn't sit idle. We spent the last few months proving to the fans that we have your back and are here for the long haul.

We have been working relentlessly to strengthen our relationships with stakeholders, global partners, and the media to ensure the fan message isn't just whispered—it is amplified.

Here are the receipts:

United the Front: We signed a landmark MOU with Professional Footballers Australia (PFA). Players and fans are the heartbeat of the game; now, we are aligned on policy and strategy.

Sharpened the Strategy: Following the AGM, we established specialised sub-committees to tackle membership engagement, stakeholder relations, and join the fight for fair funding.

Held Power to Account: We didn't just watch; we spoke up.

We have been the loudest voice in the room on the issues that matter:

The Cash Grab: Calling out Football Australia’s "FA+" membership model—implemented without legitimate supporter consultation on the design and implementation of the program.

The Cost: Standing with global allies in highlighting the outrageous pricing of FIFA World Cup tickets.

The Overreach: Questioning and relaying concerns regarding the US Administration’s invasive privacy checks for fans heading to the World Cup.

The Integrity: Standing with global allies on the principled opposition to the exportation of domestic league fixtures—a move prioritised for profit over integrity, supporter loyalty, local communities and player welfare.

The Equity: Demanding consistent ticket pricing across all stages of the Australian Championship.

The State of Play

Earlier this year, we tabled comprehensive strategic submissions to both the APL and Football Australia—demanding a long-term National Master Plan, formalised supporter consultation, and a unified front to encourage and protect active support.

We called on Football Australia to move beyond short-term thinking and define a clear 50-100 year roadmap that connects the entire ecosystem.

Simultaneously, we urged the APL to establish a joint taskforce dedicated to defending our matchday culture and ending the silence when fans are unfairly targeted by external criticism or over-policing.

The Good: Since August, we have had constructive dialogue with the APL regarding these recommendations. We are making progress to ensure the fan voice is heard by decision-makers.

The Bad: Disappointingly, Football Australia is yet to respond meaningfully to our submission. Let me be clear: We remain committed to a relationship, but we will not stop knocking on the door until it opens.

Looking Ahead

I want to thank the FSAA Committee, specifically Deputy Chairs, Blayne Treadgold and Kim Hawkins, Treasurer, Michelle Prasad, and Secretary Alex Chisholm for their tireless work.

A massive acknowledgment also goes to immediate past Chair Will Thompson, whose foundational work helped build this platform.

Your Voice Matters. Join the Collective.

We’ve had a stack of support in 2025, which leads me to our final call to arms for 2025.

No matter which club you support, at any level of the game—whether you sit in the stand or sing on the terrace, at home games or away—this is your chance to stand up.

The more of us there are, the harder we are to ignore.

If you want a supporter seat at the table, this is your vehicle.

Join us — stand with thousands of other fans as we push towards a massive 2026!

Enjoy the break, watch plenty of football, and let’s prepare for a massive 2026.

Have a great Christmas,

Patrick Clancy
Chair
Football Supporters Association Australia (Inc)