Canberra United will continue to play in the A-League for the 2025/26 season following an injection of funds from the ACT Government.

It comes following an uncertain future for the professional soccer club.

Funding has been allocated to Canberra United from the ACT Government to go towards the considerable running costs of operating a team in the Ninja A-League.

With backing from the Capital Football board, the team will take its place in the competition for the forthcoming campaign.

Capital Football chief executive officer Samantha Farrow said the club was extremely appreciative of the continued financial support from the ACT Government.

Ms Farrow said the club is now in the process of appointing the coaching staff and assembling a playing roster to participate in the league.

“We strongly reiterate that this will be the final season that Capital Football will be running Canberra United FC,” she said.

“As stated previously, the growth of the team, the competition, and the associated financial commitments have become too large for a Member Federation to adequately manage to the professional standards that these players deserve.”

The next stage in the process for United is to confirm the coaching group and start recruiting players ahead of the new season.

Details on these appointments, and the launch of a new membership campaign for the dedicated and loyal United supporters, will also be announced in due course.

Ms Farrow said United was aware there were probably a lot of questions about the season ahead.

“However, be assured that work is continuing behind the scenes to provide this information to our fan base as soon as we are able,” she said.

The club has been crowned Ninja A-League Champions twice, and Premiers three times, and is a foundation member of the league having played in every season since the competition began in 2008.

At a pre-match conference the day before the Matildas’ sold-out match at GIO Stadium on 2 June, then interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni praised Canberra United — who he said should remain in the A-League Women’s.

He said football in Canberra was one of the strongest territories in the women’s game.

“Canberra United is a great flagship at an elite domestic level. And probably one of our most successful teams in the A-League Women’s program,” he told media.

When asked about the uncertain future of the club in contrast to the Matildas match being sold out, Mr Sermanni said it was a great indication that the club needed to be kept in the A-League Women’s competition.

“This is a founding club. Particularly in the initial stages of the league, they were a dominant force,” he said.

“They are, I would say, the best supported team in the competition and I say that by both crowd size but also the passion from the crowd and the actual mix in the crowd.

“So when I come down here to the games, I see a lot of people my age in the crowd, which is quite comforting to be honest. But then there’s a mix of all young girls, etc”

He said United was a critically important team in the A-League and for the development of football.

“Because what we want to see is more players coming out of places like Canberra and going through the A-League Women’s,” he said.

“And then coming into the international arena.”

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