The 2023 Australia Cup was the 10th season of the Australia Cup, the main national soccer knockout cup competition in Australia. Thirty-two teams contested the competition proper, with the winner qualifying for the 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two.
Macarthur FC were the defending champions, but were eliminated by Campbelltown City in the Round of 32.
Sydney FC won its second Australia Cup after defeating Brisbane Roar in the final. This also resulted in qualification to the group stage of the AFC's 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two competition.
Round and dates RoundDraw dateMatch datesNumber of fixturesTeamsNew entries this roundPreliminary roundsVarious9 February–18 July746778 → 32770Round of 3228 June4–14 August1632 → 168Round of 1614 August26–30 August816 → 8NoneQuarter-finals30 August14–17 September48 → 4NoneSemi-finals17 September24 September24 → 2NoneFinal—7 October12 → 1None
Teams A total of 32 teams participated in the 2023 Australia Cup competition proper.
A-League Men clubs represent the highest level in the Australian league system, whereas Member Federation clubs come from level 2 and below.
A-League Men clubsAdelaide UnitedBrisbane RoarCentral Coast MarinersMacarthur FCMelbourne CityNewcastle JetsSydney FCWellington PhoenixWestern Sydney WanderersWestern United Member federation clubs Canberra Croatia (2) APIA Leichhardt (2) Inter Lions (3) Mt Druitt Town Rangers (2) Sydney United 58 (2) Edgeworth FC (2) Broadmeadow Magic (2) Hellenic Athletic (2) Gold Coast Knights (2) Lions FC (2) Moreton Bay United (2) Peninsula Power (2) Campbelltown City (2) North Eastern MetroStars (2) Devonport City Strikers (2) Goulburn Valley Suns (4) Heidelberg United (2) Melbourne Knights (2) Northcote City (3) Oakleigh Cannons (2) Floreat Athena (2) Inglewood United (2)
Preliminary rounds
Member federation teams competed in various state-based preliminary rounds to win one of 22 places in the competition proper (at the Round of 32). All Australian clubs (other than youth teams associated with A-League franchises) were eligible to enter the qualifying process through their respective member federation; however, only one team per club was permitted entry into the competition. The preliminary rounds operate within a consistent national structure whereby club entry into the competition is staggered in each state/territory, determined by what level the club sits at in the Australian soccer league system. This ultimately leads to round 7 with the winning clubs from that round entering directly into the round of 32. Slot allocations were the same as the previous year.
The top eight placed A-League Men clubs from the 2022–23 A-League Men season gained automatic qualification to the Round of 32. The remaining four teams entered a play-off series to determine the remaining two positions. FederationAssociated competitionRound of 32 qualifiers Football Australia A-League Men10Capital Football (ACT)Federation Cup (ACT)1Football NSWWaratah Cup4Northern NSW FootballNNSWF State Cup2Football Northern TerritoryNT Australia Cup Final 1Football Queensland—4Football South AustraliaFederation Cup (SA)2Football TasmaniaMilan Lakoseljac Cup1Football VictoriaDockerty Cup5Football West (WA)State Cup2
Bracket
Round of 32 The round of 32 draw took place on 28 June 2023. The lowest ranked side that qualified for this round was Goulburn Valley Suns. They were the only level 4 team left in the competition.
Round of 16 The round of 16 draw took place on 14 August 2023. The lowest ranked side that qualified for this round was Inter Lions. They were the only level 3 team left in the competition.
Quarter-finals The quarter-finals draw took place on 30 August 2023. The lowest ranked sides that qualified for this round were Heidelberg United, Melbourne Knights and North Eastern MetroStars. They were the only level 2 teams left in the competition.
Semi-finals The semi-final draw took place on 17 September 2023. The lowest ranked side that qualified for this round was Melbourne Knights. They were the only level 2 team left in the competition.
Final
The venue was originally set for Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, but was changed to Sydney to the Allianz Stadium due to irrigation work.
Top goalscorers RankPlayerClubGoals1 Lachlan BrookWestern Sydney Wanderers52 Tolgay ArslanMelbourne City4 Thomas WaddinghamBrisbane Roar Patrick WoodSydney FC5 Gian AlbanoMelbourne Knights3 Marcus AntonssonWestern Sydney Wanderers Brandon BorrelloWestern Sydney Wanderers Mitchell HoreMelbourne Knights Jamie MaclarenMelbourne City Kaine SheppardHeidelberg United
References