Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
A-League strike action remains possible after players unanimously rejected the latest collective bargaining agreement proposal from the Australian Professional Leagues. The dispute emerged on Tuesday as clubs prepared for the 2026-27 A-League Men and A-League Women seasons, which begin in October.
The previous five-year agreement expired on June 30, leaving clubs and players without a new employment framework. The season can begin without a deal, but industrial action could disrupt preparations and reduce certainty around contracts, salaries and squad planning.
World Cup attention continues before the domestic season, with Lionel Scaloni facing a major tactical test against England.
CBA negotiations reach stalemate
Australian Professional Leagues chief executive Steve Rosich said talks with Professional Footballers Australia had continued for eight months. He maintained that league officials wanted negotiations to resume.
“We have been negotiating in good faith with the PFA for the past eight months to agree a new CBA to ensure the sustainable growth of the A-Leagues for our clubs and players, and are looking to continue to do so,” Steve Rosich said.
However, Professional Footballers Australia chief executive Beau Busch told players that “the CBA negotiation process has been exhausted”.
Players question league direction
Professional Footballers Australia believes the proposed agreement does not provide enough support for the A-League Women or protect the standard of the A-League Men. The union is concerned that reduced wages and investment could increase the flow of players overseas.
“The players are not satisfied with the trajectory of the A-Leagues,” Beau Busch said. “The previous five-year CBA has not protected the game from damaging decisions, declining crowds and an accelerating talent drain.”
The dispute comes soon after Australia’s penalty shootout defeat to Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Domestic football officials had hoped the tournament would produce renewed interest in the A-Leagues.
Clubs can continue signing players, but uncertainty over salary rules and exemptions may affect negotiations. Strike action remains available if the Australian Professional Leagues and Professional Footballers Australia cannot agree before October.
Information on how agreements govern player employment is available through the official Professional Footballers Australia collective bargaining page.
