Foxtel breaks A-League broadcast deal

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Foxtel has backed out of its deal with Football Federation Australia to broadcast domestic football, including the A-League.

The current broadcast deal was originally signed in December 2016 and is worth around $57 million a year. The current agreement was set to run until 2023.

The Australian Financial Review reported that a clause in the broadcast deal in regards to content not being delivered for a certain amount of time has consequently allowed Foxtel to exit from the contract.

Foxtel is expected to seek a more affordable deal to broadcast the rest of the 2020 season. A new arrangement could be announced as early as today, with negotiations continuing between Foxtel and the FFA.

Foxtel has also removed all A-League and W-League content from its platforms. Match replays and highlights are now no longer available on both Kayo Sports and Foxtel Go.

On Thursday, Peter Campbell, the head of the Fox Sports told the Herald and The Age that Fox Sports was looking into its football content.

“We’ve got no live football at the moment and we’re currently reviewing all our football offering, and that’s the reason why it’s not there at the moment,” he said.

The A-League season was postponed on March 24th, with the season set to resume on July 16th with Melbourne Victory taking on Western United at AAMI Park.

A-League clubs were able to return to training from Wednesday ahead of the remaining 27 games of the regular season. The games will be played over 28 days before the finals series gets underway.

Foxtel and Fox Sports has been a broadcast partner of the FFA for 15 years, but in recent times TV ratings have been declining.

Many broadcasters and sports have renegotiated broadcast deals following the coronavirus pandemic.

Last week the Australian Football League reached an agreement with Foxtel and Seven West Media for a reduction in payments for 2020. The AFL extended its deal with Seven by two years but was unable to come to an agreement for an extension with Foxtel.

Meanwhile the National Rugby League lowered its broadcast fees and agreed to a new deal with Foxtel and Nine Entertainment Co in late May.

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Football NSW calls on clubs to Make It Red for Heart Health Round

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Image Credit: Shutterstock

Football NSW is calling on clubs and associations across the state to register for the 2026 Make It Red campaign, joining a national awareness movement aimed at reducing heart-related deaths on sporting grounds ahead of Heart Health Round on the weekend of June 5 to 7.

The campaign, developed by the Heartbeat of Football Foundation, asks sporting clubs to wear red, raise funds and build awareness around heart disease and sudden cardiac arrest, which is the leading single cause of disease burden and death in Australia for both men and women, and one that health authorities say is largely preventable through modifiable risk factors.

The call to action comes as the Foundation continues its work to map and register Automated External Defibrillators across NSW sporting facilities, a project that has already engaged twelve football associations and fed data into both the NSW Ambulance GoodSAM registry and NSW Health’s public AED map. The availability of a functioning, registered AED on site is among the most significant determinants of survival following sudden cardiac arrest, with survival rates declining sharply for every minute without defibrillation.

Football NSW is encouraging clubs to engage with the campaign across three areas. Clubs can register for the Make It Red campaign to help fund research, education and prevention programs. Participants, particularly those aged over 35, are encouraged to seek a free heart health screening test from their local GP or enquire about hosting a Heartbeat of Football testing day. Clubs are also urged to ensure their grounds have active, accessible AEDs in place, with guidance available through Football NSW’s Rescue Ready Guide.

The Make It Red campaign runs from June 5 to July 12, with Heart Health Round taking place across the opening weekend. Clubs can register and access participation resources at makeitred.org.

Community Spirit Shines on AFC Grassroots Football Day 2026

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Image credit: Football Australia

This week, Football Australia (FA) celebrated AFC Grassroots Football Day 2026, championing the people and communities who continue to hold up a safe, inclusive and supportive environment in the football landscape.

‘For all, for life’

In collaboration with Football NSW, Canterbury Football Association and community club, Balmain & District Football Club, the day reflected the very best of what football provides.

The event brought in participants of all ages – from 4-74 years-old – and reached a total of 400 people. Girls-only programs, all-abilities sessions and over-age football ensured all were catered for.

Such a diverse range of participants builds on a wider drive during FIFA World Football Week, which seeks to promote the sport not just as the dazzling lights of 100,000-seater stadiums, but as a way to foster community spirit and social development.

Furthermore, FA support through its Club Changer program was a welcome addition to the action, emphasising the organisation’s commitment to nurture a real love for the game across communities in Australia.

“Through Club Changer we support our clubs to provide a safe, fun and enjoyable environment where everyone is welcome; whether that be as a player, volunteer, referee or supporter,” explained National Program Manager Club Development at FA, Grace Lambourne.

“Everyone should feel they belong and are welcome to play, stay, and love the game.”

 

A welcome celebration

While the upcoming FIFA World Cup will no doubt inspire millions of future Socceroos and Matildas, events like the AFC Grassroots Football Day represent something beyond just inspiration.

It is a platform. An opportunity to express a love for football and to connect with others while doing so.

And connections between the professional and grassroots game is more important than ever if Australia is to nurture the next generation of talent.

This is particularly clear in the rise of women’s football across the nation. Since the FIFA Women’s World Cup, female participation rose by 32%, and registrations for the MiniTillies Program skyrocketed from 264 in 2023, to 1223 in 2024.

The professionals spark passion. But communities turn that passion into playing time.

That is why celebrating grassroots football – and the volunteers and families who sustain it – is a vital part of Australia’s football future. Together, FA and the AFC are creating strong foundations built on positivity, engagement, and inclusivity for all with a love for the beautiful game.

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