THE NEW A-League season will start with a blockbuster set of derbies to kick off the campaign with a bang.
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Sydney will host Victory in the opening round while 07/08 champions Newcastle Jets will relive their grand final with a match against 07/08 Premiers Central Coast Mariners.
The new season starts on August 15 at EnergyAustralia with the Sydney match the following day.
The fixtures were revealed at the season launch by the FFA in Sydney this morning and include a new day for the grand final, switching to Saturday night on February 28.
"I think it gives the opportunity for players and fans to reflect on the game on the Sunday in particular," said FFA CEO Ben Buckley.
"We've seen right across the country in other codes it's a great way for families to come out and celebrate the achievements of their team."
"(And) it gives the team the opportunity to return back to their home cities or home states to a heroes' welcome."
The schedule also includes week-long breaks for international matches between rounds three and four, rounds 7 and 8, rounds 11 and 12 and in between the two semi final legs in the finals series.
"We believe by having breaks on the FIFA dates it will give the national teams the optimal time to plan preparation and at the same time will withdraw the impact that it may have on our competing A-League clubs," Buckley said.
The fixtures also include a Boxing Day double between the Jets and Mariners once more plus Perth Glory vying with Adelaide United.
The now traditional New Years Eve game at Bluetongue continues again this year with the Mariners taking on Glory while Sydney will clash with Adelaide on Jan 3.
Despite the non-admission of Gold Coast Galaxy and Northern Thunder this season, the FFA have ruled out teams playing each other four times in a season to extend the competition. It will again be played over 21 rounds.
But Buckley admitted he hoped the A-League would expand to at least 10 and possibly 12 next season.
The FFA also confirmed the start of the Junior Marquee which will see an Under 23 player being allowed $150,000 of his salary outside the cap.
Buckley also confirmed the allowance would no longer apply when the player reached 24 and he would have to drop back into the cap.
Squad sizes will now be between 30-35 players including 10-12 youth players and a salary cap increase up to $1.9 million.
Injury replacement players will now be allowed on a case by case basis - and can only match the injured player's salary, or have any excess included within any spare salary cap limits.
The FFA have also opened the first registration window to run in line with the European transfer window of June 1 to August 31.
The Pre-Season Cup, starting July 19, will also follow a new format where the A-League clubs will be split into two groups of four, play each other once and the winner of both groups go on to play-off in a final.
The launch also confirmed Hyundai's decision to return as the competition's naming-rights sponsor for a further four years.
"This is a very, very positive day for football in Australia," Buckley added.
"We are delighted to be here today because as we've said this is another step forward for the game.
"In fact this is not about merely signing a naming rights agreement with a commercial partner but more it's about consolidating a partnership that's going from strength to strength."
CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE FIXTURES
Sydney will host Victory in the opening round while 07/08 champions Newcastle Jets will relive their grand final with a match against 07/08 Premiers Central Coast Mariners.
The new season starts on August 15 at EnergyAustralia with the Sydney match the following day.
The fixtures were revealed at the season launch by the FFA in Sydney this morning and include a new day for the grand final, switching to Saturday night on February 28.
"I think it gives the opportunity for players and fans to reflect on the game on the Sunday in particular," said FFA CEO Ben Buckley.
"We've seen right across the country in other codes it's a great way for families to come out and celebrate the achievements of their team."
"(And) it gives the team the opportunity to return back to their home cities or home states to a heroes' welcome."
The schedule also includes week-long breaks for international matches between rounds three and four, rounds 7 and 8, rounds 11 and 12 and in between the two semi final legs in the finals series.
"We believe by having breaks on the FIFA dates it will give the national teams the optimal time to plan preparation and at the same time will withdraw the impact that it may have on our competing A-League clubs," Buckley said.
The fixtures also include a Boxing Day double between the Jets and Mariners once more plus Perth Glory vying with Adelaide United.
The now traditional New Years Eve game at Bluetongue continues again this year with the Mariners taking on Glory while Sydney will clash with Adelaide on Jan 3.
Despite the non-admission of Gold Coast Galaxy and Northern Thunder this season, the FFA have ruled out teams playing each other four times in a season to extend the competition. It will again be played over 21 rounds.
But Buckley admitted he hoped the A-League would expand to at least 10 and possibly 12 next season.
The FFA also confirmed the start of the Junior Marquee which will see an Under 23 player being allowed $150,000 of his salary outside the cap.
Buckley also confirmed the allowance would no longer apply when the player reached 24 and he would have to drop back into the cap.
Squad sizes will now be between 30-35 players including 10-12 youth players and a salary cap increase up to $1.9 million.
Injury replacement players will now be allowed on a case by case basis - and can only match the injured player's salary, or have any excess included within any spare salary cap limits.
The FFA have also opened the first registration window to run in line with the European transfer window of June 1 to August 31.
The Pre-Season Cup, starting July 19, will also follow a new format where the A-League clubs will be split into two groups of four, play each other once and the winner of both groups go on to play-off in a final.
The launch also confirmed Hyundai's decision to return as the competition's naming-rights sponsor for a further four years.
"This is a very, very positive day for football in Australia," Buckley added.
"We are delighted to be here today because as we've said this is another step forward for the game.
"In fact this is not about merely signing a naming rights agreement with a commercial partner but more it's about consolidating a partnership that's going from strength to strength."
CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE FIXTURES
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