The precise format has yet to be confirmed but au.fourfourtwo.com understands that the competition has been tinkered with to allow clubs greater flexibility in their preparations.

The competition will still see the eight A-League clubs divided into two groups but it is likely to be the case that once the group matches are complete, the two teams that top their particular section will meet in a one-off decider for the trophy.

Last year saw group matches followed by play-off games and ties to determine 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th spots. The tournament began on July 14 and ended almost a month later with Adelaide United defeating Perth Glory 2-1 in the final at Hindmarsh Stadium.

The Cup format also saw teams rewarded with bonus points for scoring two, three or four goals during a match.

A member of one A-League squad told au.fourfourtwo.com today: “We’ve been told that there will be a new format to the Pre-Season Cup and I think it’s a much better way of doing it.

“It means clubs are more able to organise other matches and go away on a tour maybe.”

It is also to be announced whether teams will hit the road again this year for the tournament. Football fans in Maroochydore, Port Macquarie and Orange, as well as in the cities of Darwin, Geelong, Launceston and Canberra were all able to see A-League players during the course of the competition last year.

Adelaide United will be looking to complete a hat-trick of Pre-Season Cup triumphs when the 2008 version kicks off, their triumph over Perth last season following victory over the Central Coast Mariners in the 2006 tournament.

The revamp comes as the FFA continues to examine how best to implement an FA Cup-style competition for Australian football.