Who will feature in the 2026 Australia Cup final? We will know at the end of the semi-finals, which begin this week.
The Big Blue between A-League rivals Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory headlines the final four on Wednesday night.
A week later, NPL VIC powerhouse South Melbourne play host to NPL QLD high-flyers Lions FC at Lakeside Stadium on Tuesday, September 15.
The winners of the respective semis will contest the Australia Cup decider.
AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP: Every team qualified as final sides locked in
Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory
A lot has changed since Sydney FC beat Melbourne Victory the A-League Men elimination finals last season.
Sydney FC appointed Patrick Kisnorbo on a permanent basis and sold Paul Okon-Engstler, while farewelling star Joe Lolley, Peruvian loanee Piero Quispe, Corey Hollman, Alex Grant, Joel King, Patrick Wood, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Lachie Middleton.
The Sky Blues have since brought in James Overy from Manchester United, Oriola Sunday, Takahiro Sekine, Zach Harrison, Gabriel Popovic and Jake Hollman, to go with Aaron Gurd’s loan return.
Victory, meanwhile, have a new coach in Venezuelan Giovanni Savarese after Arthur Diles’ exit.
They have also signed former Premier League defender Tom Lockyer, Philipp Ziereis, Harry Sawyer and Harry Shillington, having said goodbye to Socceroo Nishan Velupillay, captain Roderick Miranda, Josh Rawlins, Nikos Vergos, Reno Piscopo, Sebastian Esposito among others.
Two-time champions Sydney FC have beaten NPL WA premiers Bayswater City, A-League rivals Brisbane Roar and NPL NSW’s SD Raiders en route to the semi-finals. Victory – who have also won the Australia Cup twice – vanquished NPL Tasmania’s Kingborough Lions, A-League foes Western Sydney Wanderers and NPL NSW premiers APIA Leichhardt to make it to the final four.
South Melbourne v Lions FC
Next week, South Melbourne and fellow NPL outfit Lions FC will do battle for the right to play an A-League opponent in the Australia Cup final.
Through to the semi-finals for the third time in their proud history, South Melbourne are coming off a thrilling 2-1 win over rivals Preston Lions in the quarter-finals before edging old foes Heidelberg United to qualify for the NPL VIC semis.
Their Australia Cup semi-final run has also seen South take down three-time champions Adelaide United and Fremantle City.
Lions FC, meanwhile, are in the midst of a headline-grabbing campaign, both domestically and nationally.
Lions, who conquered A-League duo Perth Glory, Melbourne City and North Sunshine Eagles en route to the semis, have already won the Kappa Pro Series, NPL QLD premiership and the Kappa Queensland Cup in 2026 as they now eye a state quadruple with the Grand Final this weekend.
How to watch
The two semi-final matches will be broadcast exclusive on Paramount+.
When is the final?
The date for the 2026 decider is still to be determined.