Melbourne City will kick off the 2025/26 campaign with a trip to Sydney to face APIA Leichhardt FC in the Australia Cup Round of 32.
The clash will mark City’s first competitive fixture since being crowned A-League Men’s Champions in a 1-0 Grand Final win over Melbourne Victory in late May.
City will now turn its attention to preparing for the new campaign, with the squad set to return to training in mid-July ahead of the Australia Cup tie. The fixture will be played between Saturday 19 July and Wednesday 30 July, with final match details to be confirmed in the coming days.
This will be the first-ever meeting between Melbourne City and APIA Leichhardt, one of the most historic clubs in Australian football. Founded in 1954, the Sydney-based side currently sits fourth in the NPL NSW Men’s competition and famously won the National Soccer League in 1987 and the original Australia Cup in 1966.
APIA have twice made headlines with ‘cupsets’ against A-League opposition, knocking both Western Sydney Wanderers (2021) and Melbourne Victory (2018) out in the Round of 16.
City will be aiming to make a strong start to the new season after a disappointing Round of 32 exit in last year’s competition, falling to Perth Glory in extra time. The club has a proud history in the Cup, having won it in 2016, reached the Final in 2019, and made it to the Semi-Finals in both 2015 and 2023.
Stay tuned to our website and social channels for further information once fixture details are confirmed.
