The A-League is one of the youngest football competitions in the world, having begun in the 2005-06 season. To put this into perspective, the English Football League had existed for more than one hundred years at that point. Despite its age, the sport is rapidly gaining traction in Australia and is even attracting foreign investment. It’s this that makes many think that football fans from other counties would enjoy a trip Down Under to check out the fledgling division.
Who are the Best Teams in the A-League?
For sports travellers who want to get a taste of Australian football, there are a few leading teams that are worth checking out. The most successful side of all time is Sydney FC. They’ve won the most championships with five titles, and the most premierships with four. Another team to be regarded as one of the best in the country right now is Melbourne City. Patrick Kisnorbo’s side claimed the championship and the premiership in the 2020-21 season for the first time in their history.
Melbourne City and Sydney FC are both tipped to challenge at the top of the league this term. According to the latest football betting odds, the former can be backed at 3/1 and the latter at 7/2 to win the division. While some fans would find it enjoyable to watch these teams as they dominate weaker sides in the league, others would prefer to watch the underdogs in action. There are plenty of teams in the A-League that have an incredibly loyal following. For example, Brisbane Roar and Western Sydney Wanderers are both renowned for having passionate fanbases that generate a buzzing atmosphere in the stadiums.
City Football Group Investment Could Spark Other Deals
City’s rise to the top of the tree in Australia has been thanks to their investment from City Football Group, the holding company that also owns Manchester City in England. Along with turning the Sky Blues into the dominant force in the Premier League, the corporation has expanded overseas to create a sustainable franchise operation. Melbourne City acts as one of the sister clubs to the major attraction, and it can also serve as a place to nurture up-and-coming players who can’t get close to the first team at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City fans would find it interesting to venture to Melbourne to see another branch of their club’s ever-expanding operations. The investment from overseas also highlights how much more money is being pumped into the A-League. Because Melbourne managed to find success within six years of the takeover, it is likely to inspire other investors to get into the division while it is still relatively young. In the decades ahead, with more money being pumped into Australian football, the standard will improve.
Although the quality may not be as high as what English football fans are used to, watching the A-League can still be an exciting and entertaining opportunity. It also provides a glimpse back in time to what English football used to be like before it became a multibillion-pound industry. Sports travellers should enjoy that while it lasts, as it looks as though more money will be invested in the league in the years ahead.
