Australian Professional Leagues terminate Western United's A-League licence

The Australian Professional Leagues announced the termination of Western United's club participation agreement, effectively barring the Tarneit-based side from the A-League Men and Women from the 2025 season onward. Granted a licence in 2018 with promises to build a stadium, the club entered the men's competition in 2019-20 and won the championship in 2021-22, later adding a women's team that reached a grand final in its debut season.

Financial distress led to a conditional hibernation in September 2025, during which players and staff were forced to find new employment. The West Melbourne Group, the club's owners, settled a $15.5 million tax liability in January to avoid a wind-up order, yet face another court hearing. The league cited multiple breaches of the Football Australia National Club Licensing Regulations as grounds for the termination, while acknowledging the impact on staff, players and supporters. Western United expressed intent to rebuild under new ownership and target a return for the 2027-28 season.