ALeague

The A-League is the top professional men's soccer league in Australia and New Zealand. It was founded in 2004 by the Football Federation Australia as a successor to the previous National Soccer League. The league commenced its inaugural season in August 2005 with eight clubs.

The A-League operates on a franchised system, meaning clubs are licensed entities rather than being promoted or relegated based on performance. The number of teams has expanded over the years, and the league currently features twelve clubs. These clubs are based in major cities across Australia and one in New Zealand.

The competition consists of a regular season followed by a finals series. In the regular season, each team plays every other team twice, once at home and once away. The top six teams at the end of the regular season qualify for the finals series, a knockout tournament to determine the league champion. The winner of the finals series is crowned the A-League Champion.

The A-League has seen a gradual increase in its profile and attendances since its inception. It has attracted both domestic and international talent, contributing to the growth of soccer in the region. The league's broadcast rights are held by major television networks, making it accessible to a wide audience. The A-League is considered a key component of the Australian sporting landscape.