The revamped Hyundai A-League Finals Series will now become a straight knock-out cup style format with the first and second placed teams taking advantage of a rest in Week 1 of the Finals Series before entering the Week 2 Semi-Finals.

Week 1 will see third play sixth and fourth play fifth at the higher ranked team’s home venue in the Elimination Finals with the winners going through to play away against teams one and two.

Team one will then host the lowest ranked winner from Week 1 of the Finals Series, while team two will face the highest ranked winner from the Elimination Finals.

The highest ranked winner of the Week 2 Semi-Finals will go on to host the Hyundai A-League Grand Final in the final match of the season.

The FFA say the revised finals series will provide a "cut-throat, cup-like atmosphere with no second chances granted to any side in the finals, putting all on notice that anything could happen, even if you do finish the regular season in first place".

FFA CEO Ben Buckley added: “After the success of Season 7, which saw marked increases in crowds, TV audiences, memberships and digital traffic, FFA is excited to announce the Hyundai A-League 2012/13 season draw will deliver a weekly menu of entertaining and exhilarating football.

“We’ve listened to the fans and consulted clubs, broadcast partners, media and venues to design a draw that is both consistent and compelling.

“Personally, I am excited by the revamped Hyundai A-League Finals Series. It was clear from the feedback that the league should retain a Top Six system and that it also creates a more fiercely contested Finals Series, with the top six teams all fighting for a place in the Hyundai A-League Grand Final.

“To facilitate this and to rejuvenate the format, FFA wanted to reduce the repetitive nature of the previous system where in the past teams have played each other three times in the four week format.

“The decision to intensify the Hyundai A-League Finals Series lead to the removal of the preliminary final to replace it with two Semi-Final matches that will provide the platform for a highly energised and uncompromising cup style finals format and allow for a more challenging and thrilling Hyundai A-League 2013 Finals Series.”

The 2012/13 season kicks  on Friday, October 5 with a Melbourne derby at Etihad Stadium and the first round wraps with a rematch of the 2012 Grand Final between Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar at Subiaco Stadium in Perth.

Week 3 sees the inaugural Sydney derby with the yet-to-be-named Western Sydney team hosting Sydney FC in the  A-League’s newest derby, but at a venue yet to be confirmed.

The club will reveal its full name, logo and colours on June 25, but the FFA today confirmed the club will be called "Western Sydney [something]", not "West Sydney [something]".

This season also sees the Hyundai A-League focus on key calendar dates including a match on Good Friday in Newcastle, three Australia Day matches in Melbourne, Western Sydney and Perth, New Year’s football in Gosford and Adelaide and for the first time ever the Hyundai A-League will take over New Year’s Day with back-to-back matches in Brisbane, Melbourne and Western Sydney.

Season 8 will also see the return of the Community Fixtures with matches set to be played in Dunedin, Launceston and Campbelltown.

Download the complete fixture list here.