A new A-League finals system fis set to greater reward teams that finish first and second and give them two chances to earn their way through to the grand final.
Relaxing border restrictions around the country has allowed officials to release the full 26-round season schedule, culminating in a four-week finals series and the grand final on May 28.
Officials had previously locked in only the opening six rounds, which will still be played in a conference system, with only one game, in the opening round, scheduled for Perth.
Perth Glory has been given the bulk of its home games in the back-end of the season, and the Wellington Phoenix, who will be based in NSW for much of the season, could yet get play at home in New Zealand, potentially from January 29 onwards.
Under the new six-team finals format, third will host sixth and fourth will host fifth in one-off elimination finals to start the post-season.
The winners will then take on the first and second-placed side over two legs in the semi-finals instead of one elimination match. The winners of those ties, which will be decided by aggregate scores over the two matches, advances to the grand final on May 28.
“The new format rewards the sides that finish first and second by eliminating the one-off semi-finals, and it rewards the fans who we know love finals football,” A-League commissioner Greg O’Rourke said.
“Having the semi-final fought out on a home and away basis will add to the drama for fans.”
The 2021/22 season will feature the inaugural club championship, awarded to the club with the most success across both the men’s and women’s leagues.
It follows the merging of the two competitions, as well as the men‘s youth league, which now both work under a unified “A-Leagues” banner.
“This season is a landmark moment for football in Australia,” O’Rourke said.
“We are proud to be able to deliver another full and action-packed season for fans to access in more ways than ever before.”
The men’s A League season will start with reigning champions Melbourne City hosting the Brisbane Roar on November 19 at AAMI Park.
The A-League is yet to confirm ground capacities for venues around the country that could all be impacted be different state guidelines.
NEW A-LEAGUE FINALS STRUCTURE
Elimination finals
May 6-8, 2022
Team 3 v Team 6
Team 4 v Team 5
Semi-finals
May 13-15
1 v lowest ranked elimination final winner (leg 1)
2 v highest ranked EF winner (leg 1)
May 20-22
1 v lowest ranked EF winner (Leg 2)
2 v highest ranked EF winner (Leg 2)
GRAND FINAL
May 28
Winner semi-final 1 v winner semi-final 2
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