Matchday 3 of the Hahn Australia Cup 2026 sees A-League Men's teams introduced for the first time and chances for 'Cupsets' aplenty.
Defending champions Newcastle Jets travel to Melbourne to take on the Preston Lions, Lions FC welcome Perth Glory to Brisbane, South Australia's Cumberland United debut against last year's finalists Heidelberg United, and Sydney FC travel to Perth to take on Bayswater City.
Read our preview of the action below.
Preston Lions v Newcastle Jets
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEST
Venue: Genis Steel Stadium
Broadcast: Paramount+
Tickets
The defending Hahn Australia Cup winners, and the A-League Men’s premiers, will face a tough test in the first round against national round debutants Preston Lions.
Preston was a founding member of the Australian Championship last year. They have a rich history in Australian football, taking part in thirteen seasons of the NSL in the 1980s and 1990s.
They are currently fourth in the NPL Victoria competition. Their current squad includes the likes of former A-League Men’s players Stefan Nigro and goalkeeper Ryan Scott.
The Newcastle Jets lifted the trophy last year after previously having struggled in the competition. They have had a revival under Head Coach Mark Milligan over the past few months and will hope to continue that form this year.
They have added experience to the squad this season ahead of being tested in three competitions this year – the Hahn Australia Cup, the A-League Men’s, and the AFC Asian Champions League.
“The competition is meant to be difficult for us… and it is going to test us,” Milligan said pre-match.
Lions FC v Perth Glory
Kick-off: 7.30pm AEST
Venue: Spencer Park
Broadcast: 10.com.au, YouTube
Tickets
Queensland NPL’s Lions FC will be hoping to cause their first ever ‘Cupset’ against A-League Men’s side Perth Glory.
Lions FC are currently top of the NPL Queensland, one point clear of fellow Hahn Australia Cup Round of 32 qualifier Peninsula Power. This is the sixth time they have reached this stage, progressing to the Round of 16 on four previous occasions.
Alexander Fiechtner is their key man. He has scored an astonishing 32 goals in 19 games in the NPL Queensland this season – ten clear of his next closest contender in the Golden Boot race – and will be gearing up to replicate that form against top opposition.
Perth Glory are setting out this year to win their first ever Hahn Australia Cup. They have reached the final twice, in 2014 and 2015, but the A-League Men’s side has never lifted silverware.
They fell at this stage of the competition last season, but will hope to go at least one better this time around to start their campaign on a high.
Cumberland United v Heidelberg United
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEST
Venue: Lady Burra Stadium
Broadcast: 10.com.au, YouTube
Tickets
Cumberland United are making their debut in the Hahn Australia Cup, welcoming Victorian side Heidelberg to Lady Burra Stadium.
It was a remarkable journey for Cumberland – a mid-table side in South Australia’s second tier - to reach this stage. They knocked off NPL side Adelaide City in qualifiers and then defeated fellow League 1 side Adelaide Cobras to reach the both the Federation Cup final and the national stages of the Hahn Australia Cup.
They come into this game in good form, having defeated Fulham United 3-1 during the week.
In contrast, Heidelberg United are one of the most established clubs in Victorian football. Their story was one of the most memorable in 2025, reaching the final after producing a remarkable three ‘Cupsets,’ including a 2-0 victory over soon-to-be A-League Men’s champions Auckland United in the semi-final.
They are currently fifth in the NPL Victoria competition but will draw on memories of last year for this season’s Cup campaign.
Bayswater City v Sydney FC
Kick-off: 8.30pm AEST
Venue: Frank Drago Reserve
Broadcast: 10.com.au, YouTube
Tickets
Bayswater City return to the national stage for the first time since 2019 with a difficult task on their hands, taking on A-League Men’s side Sydney FC.
Bayswater are currently third in the NPL WA competition. To qualify for the national rounds, they were 3-2 victors against Perth RedStar, goals to Cameron Teece, Brent Quick and Toby Sutton helped them overoame a two-goal deficit in the cup semi-final.
Christopher Jackson is their top scorer in the NPL this season, with 10 goals.
Sydney FC are two-time champions of the competition and have only failed to advance from the Round of 32 twice, in 2019 and 2024. They will hope to be serious contenders for the title in this campaign.
Head Coach Patrick Kisnorbo suggested throughout the week that recent arrivals such as Gabriel Popovic, Jake Hollman, Ethan Dyer, Sam Lancaster and Takahiro Sekine could take part in the match.
“It’s a trophy at the end of the day and a potential route into Asia. A cup’s a cup and a competitive game is a game, so we’re looking forward to Tuesday," Kisnorbo said.
