A-League facts for kids

The A-League is an association football (soccer) league which is the top division in Australia and New Zealand. It was established in 2004 as a replacement to the National Soccer League and started in August 2005. Unlike professional soccer leagues in most of the rest of the world, the A-League has what is called a "franchise" system—the same teams play in the league each year, unless a team drops out of the league on its own, or the league decides to add one or more new teams. This system is normal for pro sports leagues in Australia, as well as in the United States and Canada.

Since the beginning of the league in 2005, fourteen teams have competed in the league with Western United becoming the last club to join the league in the 2019–20 season. From those fourteen teams, six have taken the title while seven have taken the minor premiership. The current champion is Sydney F.C. who defeated Perth Glory in the final.

History

Before the A-League was founded, the top division of Australian soccer was the National Soccer League which ran between 1977 and 2004.

2018–19 clubs

• Adelaide United
• Brisbane Roar
• Central Coast Mariners
• Melbourne City
• Melbourne Victory
• Newcastle Jets
• Perth Glory
• Sydney FC
• Wellington Phoenix
• Western Sydney Wanderers
• Western United

Former clubs

• Gold Coast United (2009–2012)
• New Zealand Knights (2005–2007)
• North Queensland Fury (2009–2011)

Champions and premiers

The A-League, like other professional leagues in Australia, crowns its champion at the end of a knockout playoff series involving top teams on the regular-season table. The final match is called the Grand Final, a term used in several other Australian sports. The team that finishes on top of the regular-season table is called the "Premiers". Media sometimes incorrectly call the Premiers the "minor premiers", a term used in other football codes in the country.

Season	Champions		Premiers
2005–06		Sydney FC		Adelaide United
2006–07		Melbourne Victory		Melbourne Victory
2007–08		Newcastle Jets		Central Coast Mariners
2008–09		Melbourne Victory		Melbourne Victory
2009–10		Sydney FC		Sydney FC
2010–11		Brisbane Roar		Brisbane Roar
2011–12		Brisbane Roar		Central Coast Mariners
2012–13		Central Coast Mariners		Western Sydney Wanderers
2013–14		Brisbane Roar		Brisbane Roar
2014–15		Melbourne Victory		Melbourne Victory
2015–16		Adelaide United		Adelaide United
2016–17		Sydney FC		Sydney FC
2017–18		Sydney FC		Melbourne Victory|} Images for kids Melbourne Victory celebrating after their 2007 A-League Grand Final victory. Adelaide United against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the AFC Champions League in 2010. The A-League Trophy was designed to resemble a laurel wreath. The Premier's Plate is awarded to the highest finishing team in the regular season. Alessandro Del Piero joined the league in 2012, as Sydney FC's marquee player. Besart Berisha is the leading A-League goalscorer, scoring his 100th A-League goal in April 2017. Newcastle Jets against Sydney FC at Newcastle Stadium in 2007. See also In Spanish: A-League para niños