With 11 teams competing next season, the FFA have opted against continuing the current system where every team plays every other team three times.

Instead of that 30 round schedule, they have opted for 26 - with every team playing each other twice PLUS six more games against "selected" opponents.

The FFA says the extra fixtures will be based on "agreed methodology" - but will be based on ratings ahead of anything else including crowd sizes, leading to a likely series of marquee-type derbies.

The season will start on Friday October 11 and end in the Grand Final on the weekend of May 16/17, with no pause for international breaks this season, although the FFA say they will consider postponing games if Socceroo call ups are an issue.

The finals series will follow the current existing model, and the season will also see one club getting a bye each week, with clubs missing three rounds each to create the 29 round season.

FFA Head of Leagues Greg O'Rourke said a committee had decided on the schedule based on additional input from the PFA and Fox Sports with the aim of boosting TV and crowd figures.

He added: “We collectively decided it is in the best interests of the Hyundai A-League to play through the international breaks this season, with the possibility of rescheduling matches should a certain number of players from a team be unavailable for selection due to certain international duties.

“With this decision made, detailed work commences on the draw process and we are looking to release the final version of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Season draw in July.

“In collaboration with our stakeholders, we will be focused on developing a schedule which will amplify broadcast and attendance metrics, support club growth initiatives whilst providing a fair and equitable fixture schedule for all clubs that also meets key player welfare principles."

An FFA statement outlining the changes highlights that their first priority will be ratings ahead of fairness or crowd numbers. 

It said:

Key Points for the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Season

11 Clubs
29 Rounds (13 Home/Away matches per club - 3 Byes per club)
Round One 11-13 October 2019
Round 29: 24-26 April 2020
No break for FIFA International dates
No Split Rounds (Bye preference for 3 clubs participating in the AFC Champions League 2020)
Hyundai A-League 2020 Finals Series structure remains the same (Elimination Finals (3v6 & 4v5), Semi Finals (1 v lowest ranked winner from Elimination Finals, 2 v highest ranked winner from Elimination Finals,) and the Grand Final)
Hyundai A-League 2020 Grand Final – weekend of 16/17 May 2020

Opponent Match-up Weightings – Methodology
Due to the uneven number of Rounds for Season 2019/20 (e.g. 29 Rounds / 26 matches per Club), each Club will play a minimum of two matches against each other Club.
Select “third” opponent match-ups will be determined according to agreed methodology.

Key Principles
- Priority 1: Maximise Hyundai A League broadcast metrics
- Priority 2: Fairness and competition integrity for all clubs
- Priority 3: Maximise Hyundai A-League attendance metrics and other commercial priorities