Canberra United’s A-League Women Future Secured with New Ownership and Men’s Team Option

A new era for Canberra United has dawned with the A-League Women’s club’s future secured under the ownership of Australian Sports Group (ASG). The move ends two years of uncertainty for the two-time champions and includes an exclusive option to introduce an A-League Men’s side to the Australian capital for the 2028/29 season.

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) announced the sale of the license from Capital Football to ASG on Friday, signaling a significant step forward for professional football in Canberra.

New Ownership and Vision

Australian Sports Group’s chief executive, Theo Fotopoulos, expressed enthusiasm for the club’s next chapter. “Canberra is home to a thriving football community – a huge participant and passionate supporter base who have made Canberra United one of the most strongly supported A-League Women teams for the past 18 years,” Fotopoulos stated.

“We’re thrilled to be leading the next generation of professional football in Canberra, taking on the ownership of the Canberra United women’s team with a renewed focus on growth and investment, and progressing towards an integrated professional club with the introduction of an A-League men’s team in season 2028/29.”

This development is particularly significant as Canberra United has been the only standalone women’s team across the A-Leagues. Its existence had been precarious for approximately two years, following Capital Football’s decision not to continue funding the team. The ACT government had provided crucial support to keep the club afloat during this period.

Player and League Reactions

The prolonged period of uncertainty had drawn criticism from prominent figures, including Canberra United captain Michelle Heyman. The securing of new ownership is therefore a welcome resolution for players and supporters alike.

APL chair Stephen Conroy highlighted the importance of the agreement. “This is an exciting next step for professional football in the ACT and highlights the growth opportunity for the A-Leagues and football in Canberra,” Conroy commented. “We’d like to acknowledge the Canberra football community and the ACT government for their strong and ongoing support of Canberra United.”

The inclusion of an option for an A-League Men’s team represents a potential major expansion for professional football in the region, aiming to create a more comprehensive and integrated club structure.

Key Facts

The future of Canberra United is now more stable, with a clear vision for both the women’s team and the potential addition of a men’s team. This move is expected to invigorate the local football scene and provide new opportunities for players and fans in Canberra.

Source: The Guardian Football, https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/17/canberra-united-a-league-women-club-football-new-owner