The Australia Cup returns to Darwin for a second consecutive year, with the Australia Cup 2024 Final Rounds Playoffs set to decide the final two Round of 32 participants on Tuesday, 23 July and Wednesday, 24 July.
- READ MORE: Australia Cup 2024 Final Rounds Playoffs return to Darwin
- READ MORE: How Melbourne Victory went from the Playoffs to Cup winners
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Since 2021, the Australia Cup has seen the four bottom placed A-League Men clubs from the previous season battle it out in single playoff style matches to determine who takes up the final Round of 32 places.
For the two defeated teams each year, it will be their only game in the Australia Cup and their only competitive match before the new A-League Men season. For the victors, they are just five games away from lifting the trophy.
What are the playoffs and why do we need them?
In 2021, two new A-League Men clubs - Western United and Macarthur FC – joined the competition, meaning there had to be a change to the cup system.
The slot allocation remained the same, but a new system was deployed to determine which 10 A-League clubs would join the competition at the Round of 32.
That system is the playoffs, where the bottom four clubs from the previous A-League campaign will face off in a knockout match.
While the top 8 progress to the Round of 32, 9th plays 12th and 10th takes on 11th to decide the final two spots.
History of the playoffs
In the past, one team has gone on to win the cup after starting in these playoffs, proving right out of the gate that one extra game is not prohibitive to winning the competition.
That team was Melbourne Victory in 2021 – they defeated Perth Glory on penalties in their playoff game before defeating Adelaide City, Gold Coast Knights, Adelaide United, Wellington Phoenix and then Central Coast Mariners in the final to lift the trophy.
In the same season, Western United defeated Newcastle Jets in the playoffs before being eliminated by Wellington Phoenix in the Round of 32.
2022 saw Brisbane Roar beat Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 before they went all the way to the semi-finals where they were upset by Sydney United 58 FC.
Newcastle Jets were the other winners of the playoffs, beating Perth Glory 3-1, before bowing out in the Round of 32 against Adelaide United.
Last year Macarthur FC won 4-0 over Perth Glory while Newcastle Jets defeated Melbourne Victory on penalties to progress, however both sides were knocked out in the Round of 32.
What's next in 2024?
Once again, the playoffs will be played in Darwin this year, after the city successfully hosted the Australia Cup 2023 Final Rounds Playoffs.
Brisbane Roar FC (9th) will face Perth Glory FC (12th) on Tuesday, 23 July, before Newcastle Jets FC (10th) go up against Western United FC (11th) on Wednesday, 24 July.
Both games will be played at Darwin Football Stadium at Larrakia Park, and they will kick off at 7.00pm (local), 7:30pm AEST.
The winner of Brisbane Roar v Perth Glory will go on to host Melbourne City FC on Saturday, 3 August while the winner of Newcastle Jets v Western United will travel to Rockdale Ilinden FC on Wednesday, 31 July.
Australia Cup 2024 Playoffs Match Schedule
Tuesday, 23 July 2024
Brisbane Roar FC vs Perth Glory FC
Kick-off: 7.00pm local / 7.30pm AEST
Venue: Darwin Football Stadium at Larrakia Park
Wednesday, 24 July 2024
Newcastle Jets FC vs Western United FC
Kick-off: 7.00pm local / 7.30pm AEST
Venue: Darwin Football Stadium at Larrakia Park
Tickets: Via Ticketbo from 3.30pm local / 4.00pm AEST on Tuesday, 28 May.
Ticketing Details
Tickets for each match of the Australia Cup 2024 Final Rounds Playoffs are $20 Adults, $12 Concession* and $50 Family.
*Concession Card Holders, Senior Card Holders, Students
**Children 3 years and under free unless occupying a seat
Tickets: Via Ticketbo from 3.30pm local / 4.00pm AEST on Tuesday, 28 May.
Australia Cup 2024 Final Rounds Playoffs Proudly supported by:
- H on Mitchell Apartment Hotel & The Smith Hotel - the official accommodation partners of the Australia Cup 2024 Playoffs.
- Thrifty Car and Truck Rental Darwin - the official vehicle partner of the Australia Cup 2024 Playoffs.
- Northern Territory Major Events Company - Supporting a diverse range of events that represent our unique character and Territory culture ntmajorevents.com.au
