There should be a way of completing a minimum viable competition, even as little as 16 teams, if they really think about it. 

You know that is really pathetic. It's a separate competition to all of professional & semi pro competitions anyway & the it's the clubs themselves that pay the entry fee for the competition & I don't see any administrative overhead to this competition from the FFA perspective besides working out a draw.  This is really shitty. 

If Optus are so interested in the grassroots level of the game at the moment they could do worse than to dip their toe into the FFA Cup. 

Agreed. Very lazy.

Big news in Newcastle, Broadmeadow have secured Edgeworths manager for next season 

Have heard former Jets captain Jobe Wheelhouse will be taking over at Edgy.

Adam Peacock reporting rumours that FFA Cup is finally going to have some changes done to it.

"Open draw, with A League clubs perhaps thrown in earlier.The concept of last v second last playoff from A League to lose spot in round of 32 will be binned."


All of those the right moves imo. A-League play-off idea was dumb, rigged draw was insulting to fans and having A-League clubs entering earlier should be fun.

Let’s hope AL clubs come in earlier in a round which is in there local FA.

WP if they play should play in SA

 Just the way it should be. 

That's what i'm hoping for. Having A-League clubs have to qualify out of their state for the national stage could be fun. You'd have a-league club at least guaranteed to have a cup game in their state, with potentially a big rivalry game against a NPL side or a real minnow. It would certainly be a much more enjoyable way to start the FFA cup by getting straight into the good stuff rather than faffing around for a round having half the A-League clubs play each other.

I agree. I don’t care about waiting until r32.

It would almost be 100% of teams that want to play the local state AL team.

Need to be on weekends or clubs can choose if they want to host a night game. It would really help clubs revenue hosting AL clubs on a weekend daytime.

we never need to go back to Olympic hosting CCM at QSAC on a weeknight.

Baby steps but I would initially like that then even push for 2 rounds. In Sydney’s case you could have SFC WSW MFC and CCM playing twice. Potentially 8 clubs hosting depending on results. 6 in Melbournes case.

Most games would be big. Imagine CCM in Sydney, WP and WU in Melbourne would be lower but important for the clubs that host.

Minimal extra cost for FFA via travel/accommodation. 

Having the A-League teams enter earlier with an open draw also gives the potential for them to knock each other out, effectively opening up more spots in the later rounds for the state league/NPL clubs which I think will make it more interesting. We don't need to see Sydney FC vs City 5 times a year.

+1

+1

“Rugby Australia has pitched four national club championship models to broadcasters, including a 32-team knockout competition in the mould of soccer's FFA Cup, as well as an eight-team tournament held over six weeks with potential wildcards from Northern Territory, South Australia and Tasmania....

Two of the models feature eight teams, while there are also 16-team and 32-team options which are both knockouts.

The 32-team option is similar to the FFA Cup - but unlike the soccer tournament, professional teams such as the Waratahs wouldn’t be involved. Every state premier rugby competition would be represented but working out how many NSW and Queensland sides would take part, for example, is up for debate. Rankings would be based on performances in respective state-based competitions that year.

RA is keen to form a working group made up of premier rugby clubs and state unions to consider and investigate competition modelling. The group would have a say in determining how many teams from each state would be selected for the nationwide tournament. The bottom line, however, is that broadcasters will have the biggest influence.

Option two is a 16-club knockout competition with 15 matches across four weeks but only with teams from the Shute Shield (NSW), Hospital Cup (QLD), John I Dent Cup (ACT), Dewar Shield (VIC) and Fortescue Premier Grade (WA).

Options three and four, both with eight teams, are round-robin based. One model involves two pools of four teams that come from the five above mentioned states and territory. Each team would play three games, one against each other, before the top two advance to semi-finals.

The other model is similar to the last but two ‘wildcard sides’ will be able to qualify for pool spots, which would also be divided up with four teams split across two pools. The third and fourth models would run for five weeks and six weeks, respectively.

RA is keen to formally begin broadcast negotiations by September 4.

The four National Club Championship models

Model A - Top 32 knockout

• 32 clubs
• Five weeks
• 31 matches
• Every state premier rugby competition represented (NSW, QLD, ACT, VIC, WA, SA, TAS, NT)
• Ladder position at the end of state-based competitions determines seeding

Model B - Top 16 knockout

• 16 clubs
• Four weeks
• 15 matches
• Represented across Shute Shield (NSW), Hospital Cup (QLD), John I Dent Cup (ACT), Dewar Shield (VIC) and Fortescue Premier Grade (WA)

Model C - Top 8 (no wildcards)

• Eight clubs
• Five weeks
• 15 matches
• Two pools of four teams - round robin in each pool across three weeks
• Represented across Shute Shield (NSW), Hospital Cup (QLD), John I Dent Cup (ACT), Dewar Shield (VIC) and Fortescue Premier Grade (WA)
• Semi-finals – 1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B & 2nd Pool A v 1st Pool B
• Final – winners of each semi-final

Model D - Top 8 (with wildcards) 

• Eight clubs including two wildcard sides.
• Six weeks
• 17 matches
• Two wildcard playoffs to qualify for pool stage
• Two pools of four teams - round robin in each pool across three weeks
• Represented across Shute Shield (NSW), Hospital Cup (QLD), John I Dent Cup (ACT), Dewar Shield (VIC) and Fortescue Premier Grade (WA) – plus potential NT, SA and TAS competition seedings as wildcards
• Semi-finals – 1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B & 2nd Pool A v 1st Pool B
• Final – winners of each semi-final

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/the-four-national-club-comps-rugby-australia-will-pitch-to-broadcasters-20200817-p55mkk.html

I guess #gosunnybank or #gosouths

“With FFA considering changing its name and ditching the Football Federation Australia brand, the game has an opportunity to ignite efforts to reconnect with the past, and reboot the game's future, explains SIMON HILL - starting with the FFA Cup. By Simon Hill”

https://sport.optus.com.au/articles/os13834/football-federation-australia-name-change-a-catalyst-to-connect-with-our-football-past?setDevice=mobile

have been saying this for years. They destroyed the brand. Ditch it.

FFA still own ip for Australian Soccer Association 

but bring on the consultants I say

Free draw for the FFA Cup ✔️

Free draw is going to happen. Hope they don't do group stages, it will kill the whole spirit of the cup.

Don't see any point at all in changing the name of the FFA. It's not the name people have an issue with! "Soccer" will of course never make a comeback, and I hate those corporate "Football Australia" type names. There are some indications they want to include the word "association" in there, so "Australian Football Association" makes the most sense. But again, no need to change it.

Similarly with the cup, just stick with FFA Cup. Don't try messing around with "Australia Cup" or whatever.

Maybe having group stages is a ploy to have more legitimacy for the FFA cup matches in the eyes of Asian Football for a push for an extra 1/2 spot in ACL?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.ntnews.com.au/sport/qualifying-format-changes-in-the-wind-for-australian-soccers-national-cup-competition/news-story/c914dc61b94705138dbd73d105d7a545

If/when Optus Sport takes over the rights I really hope they retain this track as the theme song for the FFA Cup, I really like it.

Makes me feel like tying the bootlaces again for Ballarat North United and taking on Barcelona.

FFA Cup – WA round 2 draw:
Maccabi v Kwinana United
Maddington White City v Kalamunda United
North Beach v Wembley Downs
Port Kennedy v East Perth
Chipolopolo v North Perth United
Twin City Saints v Greyhounds Christian
Perth Hills United v Football Margaret River
Jaguar v Alexander Florina
Yanchep United v Joondanna Blues
Dunsborough Towners v South Perth United
Busselton City v Bunbury Dynamos
Woodvale v Ellenbrook United

BYES: Perth AFC, Northern City, Hamersley Rovers, Bunbury United, South West Phoenix, Riverside Christian,

Ties to be played weekend of February 20/21 & February 27/28

FFA Cup – round 3 draw:
Busselton City/Bunbury Dynamos v Port Kennedy/East Perth
Perth AFC v Riverside Christian
Jaguar/Alexander Florina v Swan United
Maccabi/Kwinana United v Dunsborough Towners/South Perth United
South West Phoenix v Murdoch University Melville
Balga v Northern City
Gosnell City v Yanchep United/Joondanna Blues
Kingsley Westside v Subiaco AFC
Canning City v Dianella White Eagles
Woodvale/Ellenbrook United v Chipolopolo/North Perth United
Hamersley Rovers v Carramar Shamrock Rovers
Western Knights v Stirling Lions
Mandurah City v Perth Hills United/Football Margaret River
North Beach/Wembley Downs v Olympic Kingsway
Maddington City/Kalamunda United v Ashfield
Kelmscott Roos v Forrestfield United
UWA Nedlands v Morley Windmills
Quinns FC v Bunbury United
Curtin University v Joondalup United
Twin City Saints/Greyhounds Christian v Fremantle City
Wanneroo City v Joondalup City
Ties to be played weekend of March 6/7

total of 65 clubs entered for this years FFA Cup from Western Australia which is up 9 teams from 2019 edition.

A total of 138 clubs have entered from Football Queensland will be competing in the 2021 FFA Cup preliminary rounds up ten teams from two years ago with round 2 draw and round 3 draw to be both conduced on Wednesday Evening from 7.00pm AEDT, 6.00pm AEST.

https://footballqueensland.com.au/2021/01/25/fq-confirms-details-of-ffa-cup-draw-for-rounds-2-and-3/

2021 FFA Cup overall numbers so far to-date,
Queensland 138 (+10 on 2019 total)
Tasmania 22 (same on 2019 total)
Victoria 210 (-4 on 2019 total)
Western Australia 65 (+9 on 2019 total)
A League 12 (+2 on 2019 total)
NPL Champion 1 (unchanged)

So far its 448 teams that have now entered the competition for the 2021 edition.

Deadline dates:
Northern NSW – last Sunday (February 14th)
ACT – 5pm Friday February 19th
New South Wales – 5pm Monday February 22nd
Northern Territory – Tuesday February 23rd
South Australia – Sunday February 28th

Nice thanks for the info. How come some FFA Cup games have been played yet you can still enter? Bit weird or am I wrong?

Round 4 draw for VIC Bentleigh vs Royals my pick for early cupset.
https://www.theffacup.com.au/news/ffa-cup-round-4-draw-confirmed-victoria

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8czwLa_Q9wY

Prelim game live now

Pretty sure this has been announced previously
https://www.theffacup.com.au/news/how-ffa-cup-playoffs-a-league-clubs-work

Geographically based Round of 32 (4 zones) with the bottom 4 a league clubs from 2020-21 playing off for 2 spots along with the top 8 a league finishers.

Fully open draw otherwise.

Liverpool Olympic who play in the SDSFA up against Sydney Olympic NP1

i'd say that is like 5 or 6 tiers below. biggest miss match i've seen in the FFA cup qualifiers too date.

congrats to liverpool olympic on making it to the round 6 qualifiers. 

FFA CUP qualifying - state of play (as of Wednesday May 19th),

ACT round 6 recap:
Cooma Tigers 1 Yoogali SC 0

Wednesday May 26th:
7.00pm Monaro Panthers v Canberra Croatia at Riverside Stadium

ACT round 7 (Saturday June 5th kickoff time To Be Determined):
Cooma Tigers v Monaro Panthers/Canberra Croatia at Deakin Stadium

NSW round 7 line up:
APIA Leichhardt Tigers
Blacktown City
Hakoah Sydney City
Liverpool Olympic/Sydney Olympic
Manly United
Marconi Stallions
Mt Druitt Town Rangers
Rockdale City Suns

Northern NSW round 5 (Northern region):
Port Saints/Port Macquarie United v Boambee Bombers
Coffs City United v Coffs Coast Tigers

Northern NSW (Southern region) round 5 kickoff times,

Tuesday May 25th:
7.00pm Adamstown Rosebud v Belmont Swansea United at Adamstown Oval
7.00pm Maitland FC v Newcastle Olympic at Cooks Square Park

Wednesday May 26th:
7.00pm Charleston Azzurri v Lambton Jaffas at Lisle Carr Oval
7.00pm Broadmeadow Magic v Edgeworth Eagles at Magic Park
7.30pm Dudley Redhead United Senior v Weston Workers Bears at Lydon Oval
7.30pm Valentine Phoenix v Lake Macquarie City at Cahill Oval

Northern Territory round 6 kickoff times,

Tuesday May 25th:
7.15pm Casuarina v University Azzurri at Darwin Football Stadium

Saturday June 5th:
7.15pm Verdi FC v Hellenic at Darwin Football Stadium

*kickoff times are NT time.

Northern Territory round 7 kickoff time,

Tuesday June 22nd:
7.15pm Verdi FC/Hellenic v Casuarina/University Azzurri

*kickoff time are NT time.

South East Queensland round 6 kickoff times,

Sunday May 23rd:
5.00pm Sunshine Coast Wanderers v Surfers Paradise Apollo at Ballinger Park

Tuesday May 25th:
7.30pm Logan Lightning v Lions FC at Cornubia Park
7.30pm Gold Coast Knights v Holland Park Hawks at Croatian Sports Centre
7.30pm Southside Eagles v Olympic FC at Memorial Park

Wednesday May 26th:
7.30pm Peninsula Power v Ipswich Knights at AJ Kelly Park
8.00pm Brisbane City v South West Queensland Thunder at Corporate Travel Management Stadium

South Australia round 6 draw result:
Campbelltown City v Adelaide Comets
North Eastern Metro Stars v Playford City
Adelaide Olympic v Croydon Kings
Sturt Lions v Adelaide City

Ties to be played Tuesday June 7th & Wednesday June 8th.

Tasmania round 6 kickoff times,

Saturday May 29th:
1.00pm Taroona v Devonport Strikers at Kelvedon Park
4.30pm Launceston City v Glenorchy Knights at Buckby Motors Park

Victoria round 6 kickoff times,

Tuesday May 25th:
7.45pm Hume City FC v Bentleigh Greens SC at ABD Stadium

Tuesday June 1st:
7.00pm Port Melbourne Sharks SC v Sydenham Park SC at JL Murphy Reserve
7.30pm Dandenong City SC v Pascoe Vale FC at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex
7.30pm Moreland Zebras FC v Langwarrin SC at CB Smith Reserve
8.00pm Monbulk Rangers SC v FC Clifton Hill at Monbulk Regional Soccer Facility

Wednesday June 2nd:
7.30pm Oakleigh Cannons FC/Preston Lions FC v Green Gully Cavaliers SC at Jack Edwards Reserve or BT Connor Reserve
7.30pm South Melbourne FC v Eastern Lions SC at Lakeside Stadium

To Be Announced:
North Geelong Warriors SC v Avondale FC at Elcho Park

Western Australia round 6 draw result:
Floreat Athena v Gosnells City
Sorrento v Armadale
Bayswater City v ECU Joondalup
Cockburn City v Perth SC

Ties to be played Tuesday June 1st & Wednesday June 2nd.