A-League Women

Between 1996 and 2004 the Women's National Soccer League (WNSL) was Australia's top women's soccer league. In 2004 it was discontinued alongside the men's National Soccer League.

After Australia qualified for the quarter-finals of the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, head coach Tom Sermanni felt the establishment of a professional league was vital for continuing the development of players.{{cite web|last=Grainey|first=Tim|title=Grainey: A closer look at the Westfield W-League|url=http://equalizersoccer.com/2013/11/26/australia-westfield-w-league-heats-up/|publisher=Equalizer Soccer|access-date=14 December 2013|date=26 November 2013|archive-date=28 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328005317/https://equalizersoccer.com/2013/11/26/australia-westfield-w-league-heats-up/|url-status=live}} Football Federation Australia established the league the following year.{{cite web|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/InsideFFA/default.aspx?s=insideffa_newsfeatures_newsitem&id=22966|title=Women in a league of their own|date=28 July 2008|publisher=Football Federation Australia|access-date=28 July 2008|archive-date=3 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203151814/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/InsideFFA/default.aspx?s=insideffa_newsfeatures_newsitem&id=22966|url-status=dead}} The W-League was initially composed of eight teams: Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar, Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory, and Sydney FC. Seven of the eight teams were affiliated with A-League clubs, and shared their names and colours to promote their brands. The eighth club was Canberra United.{{cite news|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24089401-23215,00.html|title=W-League to debut in October|date=28 July 2008|access-date=28 July 2008|work=Fox Sports |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080806003248/http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24089401-23215,00.html|archive-date=6 August 2008|df=dmy-all}}

The W-League's inaugural season commenced on 25 October 2008, with Perth hosting Sydney at Members Equity Stadium.{{cite news|url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/81307,girls-shop-to-the-top.aspx|title=Girls shop to the top|publisher=FourFourTwo|date=28 July 2008|access-date=28 July 2008|archive-date=3 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080903021256/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/81307,girls-shop-to-the-top.aspx|url-status=dead}} After ten rounds, the regular season finished with Queensland Roar as the top-placed team, becoming the first W-League premiers, and advancing to the semi-finals along with the second-, third- and fourth-placed teams. Queensland faced Canberra in the 2009 W-League grand final, defeating them 2–0 to take the champions trophy.

Central Coast Mariners were forced to withdraw from the 2010–11 season due to a lack of funding,{{cite web|url=http://www.ccmariners.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=34413 |title=Statement regarding Westfield W-League |date=29 July 2010 |publisher=Central Coast Mariners|access-date=29 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228201630/http://www.ccmariners.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=34413 |archive-date=28 February 2011 }} but returned in 2023–24.{{cite web|url=https://ccmariners.com.au/news/central-coast-mariners-confirm-first-signing-after-officially-being-accepted-into-liberty-a-league-womens-competition|title=Central Coast Mariners confirm first signing after officially being accepted into Liberty A-League women's competition|date=17 October 2022|access-date=20 March 2023|publisher=Central Coast Mariners|archive-date=24 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324221217/https://ccmariners.com.au/news/central-coast-mariners-confirm-first-signing-after-officially-being-accepted-into-liberty-a-league-womens-competition|url-status=live}}

When Western Sydney Wanderers joined the A-League for the 2012–13 season, they also entered a team into the W-League, returning the competition to eight teams. From 2012 to 2014, the W-League champion team qualified into an international competition, the International Women's Club Championship.

On 13 May 2015, Melbourne City were confirmed to compete in the W-League from the 2015–16 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/13/melbourne-city-w-league-side-next-season|title=Melbourne City FC to field a W-League side next season|first=Mike|last=Hytner|newspaper=The Guardian|date=13 May 2015|access-date=13 December 2016|archive-date=4 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404011235/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/13/melbourne-city-w-league-side-next-season|url-status=live}} The club had a remarkable inaugural season, winning all 12 of its regular season games and winning the Grand Final.{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/melbourne-city/melbourne-city-crown-perfect-season-with-wleague-grand-final-win-over-sydney-fc-20160131-gmi316.html|title=Melbourne City crown perfect season with W-League grand final win over Sydney FC|work=The Age|date=31 January 2016|access-date=31 January 2016|archive-date=1 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401013750/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/melbourne-city-crown-perfect-season-with-wleague-grand-final-win-over-sydney-fc-20160131-gmi316.html|url-status=live}}

From the inception of the competition the league was run by Football Federation Australia, the governing body for the sport in Australia. In July 2019, the FFA relinquished operational control of the league to each of the clubs, now represented by the Australian Professional Leagues.{{cite web|url=https://www.theroar.com.au/2019/07/01/ffa-reaches-in-principle-agreement-for-independent-a-league/|title=FFA reaches in principle agreement for independent A-League|date=2 July 2019|work=The Roar|access-date=16 August 2019|archive-date=16 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816135759/https://www.theroar.com.au/2019/07/01/ffa-reaches-in-principle-agreement-for-independent-a-league/|url-status=live}}

The league commenced a further expansion program starting in 2021, with Wellington Phoenix commencing in the 2021–22 season,{{cite web|url=https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/126328117/wellington-phoenix-to-field-womens-team-in-wleague-with-quota-of-australian-players|title=Wellington Phoenix to field women's team in W-League with quota of Australian players|work=stuff.co.nz|author=Andrew Voerman|date=10 September 2021|access-date=12 September 2021|archive-date=12 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912060300/https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/126328117/wellington-phoenix-to-field-womens-team-in-wleague-with-quota-of-australian-players|url-status=live}} Western United for the 2022–23 season,{{Cite web|date=2021-09-03|title=We're In! Western United to join W-League|url=https://www.wufc.com.au/news/were-western-united-join-w-league|access-date=2021-10-07|publisher=Western United|language=en|archive-date=20 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920212332/https://www.wufc.com.au/news/were-western-united-join-w-league|url-status=live}} and Central Coast Mariners for the 2023–24 season. Future expansion is planned for the 2025–26 season, after the award of a licence for an Auckland-based team for both A-League Men and Women.{{Cite news |date=2023-11-21 |title=Auckland to enter A-Leagues from next season as US billionaire adds another sporting franchise |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-21/auckland-awarded-a-leagues-licences-backed-by-bill-foley/103132132 |access-date=2023-11-21}}

Crowds have improved remarkably in 2023, on the back of the Matildas performance in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. The record A-League Women's crowd (including finals) was set on 14 October 2023, with the match between Sydney FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers drawing a crowd of 11,471.{{cite web |title=Single-round Liberty A-League attendance record smashed in Round 1… after just two games! |url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/attendance-record-broken-aleague-women-round-1-2023-24-f3-derby-sydney-derb/ |website=A-Leagues |date=14 October 2023 |access-date=15 October 2023}}

Around 15 April 2024, the 2023–24 A-League Women season become the most attended season of any women's sport in Australian history by recording a total attendance of 284,551;{{cite web |last1=Tu |first1=Jessie |title=Women's A-League games most attended season of women's sport in Australian history |url=https://womensagenda.com.au/life/sport/womens-a-league-games-most-attended-season-of-womens-sport-in-australian-history/ |website=Women's Agenda |date=15 April 2024 |access-date=15 April 2024}}{{cite web |title=History made! 🥳⚽️🇦🇺 The most successful season in Liberty A-League history has set a new benchmark for women's sport in Australia. |url=https://www.facebook.com/aleagues/posts/pfbid026jZEvemRaM4aYYbCn3c9ToRRrATbwMMGiGjW8Wojjh5Q5eyj1ZJbSkhfCBPJnFYnl |website=Facebook |publisher=A-Leagues |access-date=15 April 2024}}{{cite web |title=Women's A-League down to four contenders after first stage of finals series |url=https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2024/04/14/womens-a-league-down-to-four-contenders-after-first-stage-of-finals-series/ |website=Friends of Football |date=14 April 2024 |access-date=15 April 2024}}{{cite web |title=INVEST IN WOMEN'S SPORT. The Tillies effect 😤 In a record-breaking week one of the Finals Series, the A-League became the most attended season, of any women's sport, in Australia ever. Surpassing the AFLW 2023 cumulative attendance total for the regular season + finals series. |url=https://www.instagram.com/thefemaleathleteproject/p/C5wsDaORaqg/ |website=Instagram |publisher=The Female Athlete Project |access-date=15 April 2024}} the season finished with a final total attendance of 312,199.{{cite web |title=Thank you for making season 2023/24 of the Liberty A-League the biggest in the 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 🇦🇺❤️ A 127% increase on last year. Just incredible. |url=https://www.facebook.com/aleagues/posts/pfbid02As4uLdNQMiSkuWeaeC6kTBv926TMqJdQ5MSKihGd7TubKEstb4tFPMKj5UJDbiSfl |website=Facebook |publisher=A-Leagues |access-date=9 May 2024}}

The A-League Women regular season typically runs from November to April and consists of 23 games per team (22 home and away, plus one additional "Unite Round" fixture),{{Cite web |last=Comito |first=Matthew |date=2024-07-17 |title=Dates announced for 2024-25 A-Leagues season |url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/when-does-the-a-league-season-start-dates-finals-series/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=A-Leagues |language=en-AU}} with the highest ranked team winning the title of "Premier".{{cite web|title=W-LEAGUE|url=http://us.women.soccerway.com/national/australia/w-league/20132014/regular-season/r22774/|publisher=Soccer Way|access-date=30 November 2013|archive-date=2 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002050816/http://us.women.soccerway.com/national/australia/w-league/20132014/regular-season/r22774/|url-status=live}} The top six teams in the regular season then advance to the knockout finals series (single elimination finals, two-legged semi-finals), with the Champion determined by the victor of the Grand Final.{{Cite web |last=Rosengarten |first=Jake |date=2024-03-31 |title=Fixtures locked in for Liberty A-League finals series: What you need to know |url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/a-league-women-finals-series-fixtures-teams-details-tickets-who-is-my-team-playing/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=A-Leagues |language=en-AU}}

On 12 December 2022, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) announced that the grand finals for the 2022–23 and two subsequent seasons would be hosted in Sydney,{{cite web|url=https://keepup.com.au/news/why-sydney-is-the-new-home-of-the-a-leagues-grand-finals|title=Why Sydney is the new home of the A-Leagues Grand Finals|date=12 December 2022|accessdate=12 December 2022|archive-date=12 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212021945/https://keepup.com.au/news/why-sydney-is-the-new-home-of-the-a-leagues-grand-finals|url-status=live}} a move which received considerable backlash.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/dec/12/terrible-decision-a-leagues-move-to-sell-off-grand-final-rights-to-sydney-sparks-fan-anger|title='Terrible decision': A-Leagues' move to sell off grand final rights to Sydney sparks fan anger|website=TheGuardian.com|date=12 December 2022|accessdate=12 December 2022|archive-date=12 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212021514/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/dec/12/terrible-decision-a-leagues-move-to-sell-off-grand-final-rights-to-sydney-sparks-fan-anger|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/build-a-tradition-a-league-risks-fan-anger-by-selling-grand-finals-to-sydney-20221212-p5c5h2.html|title='Absolute disgrace': A-League grand final move slammed by fans, owners and a Socceroo|date=12 December 2022|accessdate=12 December 2022|first=Vince|last=Rugari|archive-date=11 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211220424/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/build-a-tradition-a-league-risks-fan-anger-by-selling-grand-finals-to-sydney-20221212-p5c5h2.html|url-status=live}} On 18 October 2023, the APL announced that the Grand Final hosting rights would revert back to the original format, and instead a new "Unite Round" was introduced, with a regular season round having all its games played in Sydney.{{Cite web |last= |date=18 October 2023 |title=A-Leagues announce first ever Unite Round to take place this season |url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/a-leagues-unite-round-men-women-festival-sydney/ |access-date=18 October 2023 |website=A-Leagues}}

Pride Cup is an Australian organisation dedicated to advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community in sport. It was founded in 2012 after former Australian rules footballer Jason Ball came out publicly as gay, and his club in Yarra Glen, Victoria showed their support by staging a "Pride Cup". This led to the establishment of the annual AFL Pride Game in 2016, and the idea soon spread to other codes.{{cite web | title=About | website=Pride Cup | url=https://pridecup.org.au/about/ | access-date=7 March 2024}} After Adelaide United player Josh Cavallo became the first openly gay top-flight male footballer in October 2021, the A-League partnered with A-League Women to stage a single Pride men's and women's doubleheader during the 2021-22 season.{{cite web | last=Lynch | first=Joey | title=Australia's A-Leagues launch first Pride round | website=ESPN.com | date=7 February 2023 | url=https://www.espn.com.au/football/story/_/id/37636165/australia-leagues-stage-first-pride-round-february | access-date=7 March 2024}}

On 24–26 February 2023, both the A-League Men and Women's competitions staged their first-ever Pride Round, the first occasion in which the leagues had "come together to recognise and promote inclusion for the LGBTQIA+ community". Part proceeds from ticket sales across all of the round's fixtures were donated to Pride Cup. In 2024, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) announced the continuation of the round, as well as providing inclusion training to all players and key stakeholders. The A-Leagues would be collaborating with the PFA and Pride Cup, who would help to deliver the training. The annual Pride Cup double-header between Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory would take place in March, and several men's and women's teams would celebrate by engaging community groups and using indicators such as rainbow corner flags, armbands, special Pride kit and/or rainbow socks.{{cite web | title=The 2024 A-Leagues Pride Celebration is this week: Everything you need to know | website=A-Leagues | date=3 March 2024 | url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/a-league-pride-celebration-fixtures-details-dates/ | access-date=7 March 2024}}

Since the 2023–24 season the Australian Professional Leagues has held a "Unite Round". During this round, all matches are held in a single city. The round is currently in partnership with Destination NSW, and was introduced after the Grand Final decision was reversed in October 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-18/a-leagues-scrap-controversial-grand-final-decision-introduce-mag/102989960|title=A-Leagues scrap controversial Grand Final decision in favour of Unite Round|website=ABC News|date=18 October 2023}}

{{:Unite Round}}

{{W-League all clubs map}}

| {{sort|Longo, Annalie|{{flagicon|NZL}} Annalie Longo}}

| {{sort|10|10th}}

| {{sort|11|11th}}

|-

| Western Sydney Wanderers

| Sydney,
New South Wales

| CommBank Stadium
Blacktown Football Park
Marconi Stadium

| 30,000
500
9,000

| 2012

| 2012

| {{sort|Abrahams, Geoff|{{flagicon|AUS}} Geoff Abrahams}}

| {{sort|Harrison, Amy|{{flagicon|AUS}} Amy Harrison}}

| {{Sort|03|3rd}}

| {{Sort|06|7th}}

|-

| Western United

| Wyndham, Victoria

| GMHBA Stadium

| 36,000

| 2021

| 2022

| {{sort|Smith, Kat|{{flagicon|AUS}} Kat Smith}}

| {{sort|Berryhill, Chloe|{{flagicon|AUS}} Chloe Berryhill}}

| {{Sort|02|2nd}}

| {{Sort|02|2nd}}

|}

Performance and ranking of clubs based on their best regular season result in the W-League and A-League Women.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{See also|List of foreign A-League Women players}}

An A-League Women squad is required to have a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 26 players.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} Players typically receive a one-season contract,{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} with many playing in leagues in other countries during the A-League Women off-season. Due to the A-League Women season running during the off-season of several leagues around the world, many foreign players have played for teams in A-League Women and vice versa.

In 2015, teams in what was then the W-League had a salary cap of A$150,000.{{cite web|title=Fairer wages for women to dominate CBA talks|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2015/06/24/fairer-wages-women-dominate-cba-talks|publisher=theworldgame.sbs.com.au|access-date=14 July 2015|archive-date=14 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714230329/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2015/06/24/fairer-wages-women-dominate-cba-talks|url-status=live}} Individual player salaries varied, with one player reporting to The Sydney Morning Herald in 2012 that whilst some players earned {{AUD|10,000}}, others earned nothing.{{cite web|title=W-League 2013: Melissa Barbieri has to sell possessions to play|date=4 November 2013|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/wleague-2013-melissa-barbieri-has-to-sell-possessions-to-play-20131104-2wx8k.html|publisher=smh.com.au|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-date=25 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925010049/http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/wleague-2013-melissa-barbieri-has-to-sell-possessions-to-play-20131104-2wx8k.html|url-status=live}} In 2014, it was reported that Sydney FC players were paid salaries ranging from $1,000 to $6,000.{{cite web|title=You can't accuse Sydney FC's W-League team of doing it for anything other than the glory|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/football/you-cant-accuse-sydney-fcs-wleague-team-of-doing-it-for-anything-other-than-the-glory/story-fnk6pqot-1226828207803|publisher=dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-date=11 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311234855/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/football/you-cant-accuse-sydney-fcs-wleague-team-of-doing-it-for-anything-other-than-the-glory/story-fnk6pqot-1226828207803|url-status=live}} Players could also earn money playing overseas and may therefore be considered by Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) as professional.{{cite web|last1=Scanlon|first1=Jill|title=The W-League Will Be Looking To Follow The Matildas Pay Deal Path|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2015/10/20/womens-football-to-benefit_n_8307836.html|publisher=Huffington Post|access-date=9 November 2015|date=20 October 2015|quote=While this is not a full-time professional workload wage, the women can also earn money playing overseas and are therefore considered by the PFA to be categorised as professional.|archive-date=25 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825193328/http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2015/10/20/womens-football-to-benefit_n_8307836.html|url-status=live}}

Some clubs are owned by their state soccer associations, including Adelaide United and Newcastle Jets.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}}

For the 2017–18 season a minimum salary was introduced at A$10,000. The average salary therefore rose from A$15,500 to A$17,400. A salary cap was set at A$300,000.{{cite web | url=http://www.espnfc.com/australian-a-league/story/3201060/w-league-players-to-get-huge-pay-increase-for-new-season | title=W-League players to get huge pay increase for new season | publisher=espnfc.com | date=11 September 2017 | access-date=12 September 2017 | archive-date=12 September 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912103345/http://www.espnfc.com/australian-a-league/story/3201060/w-league-players-to-get-huge-pay-increase-for-new-season | url-status=live }}

The total salary floor, or minimum salary spend, for the 2020-21 season rose to {{AUD|294,000}}, growing to A$315,000 in the 2021-22 season, with a salary cap of A$450,000, as part of a five-year deal that woulf see the salary floor rise to A$390,000 by 2025-26.{{cite web | url=https://thewomensgame.com/news/salary-cap-changes-pay-boost-for-w-league-a-league-players-569615 | title=Salary cap changes, pay boost for W-League, A-League players | publisher=thewomensgame.com | date=9 September 2021 | access-date=29 December 2021 | archive-date=29 December 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229084853/https://thewomensgame.com/news/salary-cap-changes-pay-boost-for-w-league-a-league-players-569615 | url-status=live }} The deal also included improved standards in training venues, travel and accommodation, high performance staffing, and player workloads. The A-League Women minimum annual wage in 2021 was A$17,055.{{cite news |last1=Monteverde |first1=Marco |title=A-League: New agreement will allow clubs to spend extra money outside of salary cap |url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/aleague-new-agreement-will-allow-clubs-to-spend-extra-money-outside-of-salary-cap/news-story/94a6f4c172de338d4e66d89d9745a1ec |access-date=29 December 2021 |publisher=News.com.au |date=9 September 2021 |archive-date=29 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229090412/https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/aleague-new-agreement-will-allow-clubs-to-spend-extra-money-outside-of-salary-cap/news-story/94a6f4c172de338d4e66d89d9745a1ec |url-status=live }} This increased to A$25,000 in 2023 owing to the extended season, which was a full home-and-away schedule for the first time. {{as of|March 2024}}, players are contracted for 35 weeks for a 22-round regular season, with four extra weeks for those playing in the finals.{{cite web | last=Lewis | first=Samantha | title=A-League Women players urge APL to create full-time competition amid Women's World Cup boom | website=ABC News | date=5 March 2024 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-06/a-league-women-players-urge-apl-full-time-competition-wwc-boom/103545818 | access-date=8 March 2024}}

A 2023 survey showed that most players in the league work and/or study part-time, having to supplement their part-time income. According to the PFA, most players "earned at or close to the minimum" in the previous season, with around 60 per cent of players having had to work second jobs; by way of comparison, only 15 per cent of A-League Men were working second jobs, with the vast majority of those working fewer than 10 hours per week. After the success of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand, there were renewed calls to make the competition a full-time one.

File:A-League Women logo.svg

The competition was known as the Westfield W-League from its inception in 2008 until 2021, under an agreement with Westfield as the naming rights sponsor.{{Cite web |date=2019-05-02 |title=FFA and Westfield announce partnership extension across Women's National Teams & Westfield W-League {{!}} Matildas |url=https://www.matildas.com.au/news/ffa-and-westfield-announce-partnership-extension-across-national-teams-westfield-w-league |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=www.matildas.com.au |language=en}} The main logo design was shared with the A-League men's competition. In 2017, Football Australia undertook a major rebranding and redesigned its logos for the W-League and A-League to be in line with its own logo, and those of its member federations.{{Cite web |title=FFA reveal new branding and A-League logo |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/sport/article/ffa-reveal-new-branding-and-a-league-logo/alfg7qk0e |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=SBS Sport |language=en}}

After governance of the league was handed to the Australian Professional Leagues in 2020, there was another rebranding in September 2021, which saw the competition being renamed to A-League Women.{{Cite news |date=2021-09-28 |title=The W-League is no more — say hello to A-League Men and A-League Women |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-29/australian-football-leagues-rebrand-a-league-men-and-women/100499370 |access-date=2024-10-08 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}} Liberty Financial became the league's new naming rights sponsor shortly afterwards in December 2021 and the competition was then known as the Liberty A-League Women.{{Cite web |last=Smithies |first=Tom |date=2021-12-01 |title=Liberty signs as A-League Women naming rights partner |url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/liberty-signs-as-naming-rights-partner-for-a-league-women/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=A-Leagues |language=en-AU}} Since September 2024, the league is known as Ninja A-League Women with home appliances company SharkNinja as the current naming rights sponsor.

{{Main|List of A-League Women stadiums}}

A-League Women games have been played in 91 venues since the inaugural season of the A-League.{{cite web |last1=Andrew |first1=Howe |title=NINJA A-LEAGUE 2024-25 SEASON GUIDE |url=https://howe.how/football/ALW_season-guide_202425.pdf |publisher=Australian Professional Leagues |access-date=20 January 2025}}

The 2018–19 season marked the first time that fans were able to watch every W-League game. All matches were broadcast or streamed on Fox Sports, SBS Viceland and the My Football Live app. Thursday Night Football was also introduced, meaning 13 stand-alone regular season matches will be played in prime-time and broadcast live on Fox Sports.{{cite web|url=https://www.w-league.com.au/news/fans-able-watch-every-match-westfield-w-league-201819-season|title=Fans able to watch every match of the Westfield W-League 2018/19 Season|access-date=September 28, 2018|date=September 5, 2018|archive-date=29 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929041516/https://www.w-league.com.au/news/fans-able-watch-every-match-westfield-w-league-201819-season|url-status=live}} The Football Federation Australia (FFA) reached a deal with ESPN+ for broadcast rights to W-League games in the United States. ESPN+ will carry at least 17 W-League matches in the 2018–19 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.w-league.com.au/news/espn-acquires-broadcast-rights-westfield-w-league-united-states|title=ESPN+ Acquires Broadcast Rights to Westfield W-League in the United States|access-date=September 28, 2018|date=August 10, 2018|archive-date=29 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929041435/https://www.w-league.com.au/news/espn-acquires-broadcast-rights-westfield-w-league-united-states|url-status=live}} For the first time ever W-League games would be broadcast on YouTube and Twitter in territories without a traditional broadcast partner.{{cite web|url=https://www.a-league.com.au/news/fans-more-corners-globe-set-watch-australian-football-season|title=Fans in more corners of the globe set to watch Australian football this season|access-date=October 18, 2018|date=October 18, 2018|archive-date=19 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019075754/https://www.a-league.com.au/news/fans-more-corners-globe-set-watch-australian-football-season|url-status=live}}

In the 2019–20 season, ABC TV broadcast one game per weekend. Fourteen rounds of that season were broadcast at 4pm on Sundays, as well as the whole W-League 2020 Finals Series.{{cite web|url=https://www.a-league.com.au/news/abc-tv-becomes-free-air-broadcast-partner-hyundai-a-league-westfield-w-league-caltex-socceroos|title=ABC TV becomes Free-to-Air Broadcast Partner of the Hyundai A-League|work=A-League|date=3 October 2019|access-date=28 May 2021|archive-date=3 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003232100/https://www.a-league.com.au/news/abc-tv-becomes-free-air-broadcast-partner-hyundai-a-league-westfield-w-league-caltex-socceroos|url-status=live}} Fox Sport's contract with the A-League, which was renegotiated in June 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, concluded in July 2021.{{cite web|url=https://mumbrella.com.au/foxtel-and-ffa-come-to-an-agreement-over-a-league-and-w-league-631926|title=Foxtel and FFA come to an agreement over A-League and W-League|work=Mumbrella|date=22 June 2020|access-date=28 May 2021|archive-date=6 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706231202/https://mumbrella.com.au/foxtel-and-ffa-come-to-an-agreement-over-a-league-and-w-league-631926|url-status=live}}

From July 2019 to the end of the 2020–21 season, Foxtel broadcast all matches with ABC broadcasting one match per round live on its primary channel.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-04/abc-strikes-deal-free-to-air-home-of-football-in-australia/11562648|title=ABC strikes deal with FFA to become free-to-air home of football in Australia|work=ABC News|date=3 October 2019|access-date=5 October 2019|archive-date=5 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005205025/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-04/abc-strikes-deal-free-to-air-home-of-football-in-australia/11562648|url-status=live}}

Since August 2021, as part of a five-year deal with ViacomCBS, the A-Leagues have been broadcast by Network 10 and Paramount+ (Australia) streaming service.{{cite web | website=ABC News (Australia) | title=A-League announces Channel 10 as new broadcast partner in five-year deal | date=26 May 2021 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-26/a-league-announces-new-broadcast-partner-channel-10/100166894 | access-date=28 May 2021 | archive-date=28 May 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528063259/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-26/a-league-announces-new-broadcast-partner-channel-10/100166894 | url-status=live }}{{Cite web|date=2021-09-27|title=Network 10 and Paramount+ to deliver double the football action on Saturday nights|url=https://www.a-league.com.au/news/network-10-and-paramount-deliver-double-football-action-saturday-nights|access-date=2021-10-06|website=A-League|language=en|archive-date=6 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006035839/https://www.a-league.com.au/news/network-10-and-paramount-deliver-double-football-action-saturday-nights|url-status=live}} As of the 2022–23 season, Paramount and Network 10's free-to-access streaming service 10Play stream all matches.{{cite web|title=10 Bold, Paramount+ home of 2022–23 A-League|work=TV Tonight|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2022/09/10-bold-paramount-home-of-2022-23-a-league.html|date=7 October 2022|access-date=30 September 2022|archive-date=29 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929114722/https://tvtonight.com.au/2022/09/10-bold-paramount-home-of-2022-23-a-league.html|url-status=live}}

In New Zealand, A-League Men and A-League Women matches are broadcast on Sky Sport / beIN Sports.

A-League Women features female referees and assistant referees from Australia. Notable referees include:

• Kate Jacewicz, who refereed nine of the first eleven Finals.{{cite web | url=https://www.myfootball.com.au/news/kate-jacewicz-referee-westfield-w-league-2019-grand-final | title=Kate Jacewicz to referee the Westfield W-League 2019 Grand Final | publisher=Football Federation Australia | date=13 February 2019 | access-date=13 February 2019 | archive-date=13 February 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213183602/https://www.myfootball.com.au/news/kate-jacewicz-referee-westfield-w-league-2019-grand-final | url-status=live }}
• Katie Patterson
• Casey Reibelt

{{Main|A-League Women records and statistics}}

{{Main|A-League Women records and statistics}}

''As of 11 April 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/alltime_top_player/aus-frauen-a-league-women/1/|title=Australia W-League Women All-time appearances 1–50|date=16 March 2020 |publisher=worldfootball.net|access-date=19 July 2020|archive-date=3 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003035147/https://www.worldfootball.net/alltime_top_player/aus-frauen-a-league-women/1/|url-status=live}}

Players listed in bold are still actively playing in the A-League Women.

As of 11 April 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/alltime_goalgetter/aus-frauen-a-league-women/tore/1/|title=Women A-League Women - All-time Topscorers|date=16 March 2020 |access-date=18 March 2023|archive-date=18 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318225244/https://www.worldfootball.net/alltime_goalgetter/aus-frauen-a-league-women/tore/1/|url-status=live}}

Players listed in bold are still actively playing in the A-League Women.

{{Portal|Australia|soccer|Women's association football}}

• AFC Women's Club Championship
• A-League Women records and statistics
• Women's soccer in Australia
• Australia women's national soccer team
• Women's National Soccer League (WNSL) – defunct Australian women's national league
• A-League Men

{{clear}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.w-league.com.au/}}

{{W-League}}

{{A-League Women stadiums}}

{{AUS fb general}}

{{AFC women's leagues}}

{{Sports leagues of Australia}}

{{Top level women's association football leagues around the world}}

Category:Summer association football leagues

Category:2008 establishments in Australia

1

Category:Professional sports leagues in Australia

Category:Silver Lake (investment firm) companies

Category:Sports leagues established in 2008

Australia