Why an independent national survey is vital to advocating for fair policing, consistent security, and protected terrace culture.
Every match-going supporter in Australia knows the frustration of inconsistent match-day operations.
Across different states, venues, and fixtures, fans regularly encounter shifting entry rules, heavy-handed private security enforcement, disproportionate policing deployments, and opaque banning procedures.
For years, when supporters have raised these issues, authorities and administrators have treated them as isolated grievances or dismissed them as anecdotal.
A review is held, everyone walks away feeling good, until it occurs again and again.
That dynamic needs to change.
The Football Supporters Association Australia (FSAA) has launched the 2026 A-League Supporter Survey. This research initiative has a clear purpose: to establish comprehensive, independent data on match-day operations, crowd safety, and fan experience across every venue in the competition directly from supporters
By collecting objective, nationwide data directly from supporters, the FSAA will replace subjective debate with clear facts to present in ongoing consultations with the Australian Professional Leagues (APL), Football Australia (FA), stadium trusts, and state policing commands.
The survey examines five key operational areas:
Security and policing consistency: Benchmarking private security conduct and police deployments across all venues and state jurisdictions.
De-escalation and dialogue: Evaluating the effectiveness of proactive dispute resolution and the role of club-appointed Supporter Marshals.
Procedural fairness: Examining transparency, accountability, and fair appeal processes surrounding stadium bans.
Protecting active support: Identifying operational barriers to traditional matchday culture—including tifo approvals, instruments, banners, and dedicated standing bays.
Cultural recognition: Establishing the commercial and cultural value of active support as an essential asset rather than an operational hazard.
To advocate effectively for better match day standards, we need reliable, verified numbers.
The survey takes three minutes to complete, consists of 14 focused questions, and is open to all A-League club members, active groups, and casual match-goers.
Complete the 2026 Supporter Survey Here
