A new chapter in the storied history of Canberra United will be written this weekend as Antoni Jagarinec’s side kick off their 2026/27 Ninja A-League campaign.
After playing finals football for a second consecutive season, the club was then transformed off the pitch, with confirmation Canberra United would now officially be under private ownership for the first time.
Canberra United had been under the stewardship of Capital Football since 2008 before being acquired by Australian Sports Group (ASG).
Now on the eve of their season-opening clash with Central Coast Mariners in Gosford, Australian Sports Group chief executive Theo Fotopoulos and chairman Morris McAlister have outlined their big plans for one of Australian football’s grandest clubs.
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“The last three years were extremely difficult for the club,” Fotopoulos said, when speaking exclusively to the Canberra Times.
“One of the key priorities in the first 60 days was to stabilise and build a new organisation – even though it’s an existing club, it still almost had to be built from scratch.
“We’ve made some significant progress with our football operation, our front office and commercial operation. The big vision is to have a successful competitive Ninja A-League club that has pathways down to grassroots within the ACT and the region.
He continued: “The plan for us is to enhance the current ecosystem, so if a girl or boy would like to become a soccer player, what can Canberra United offer?
“We want better communication, relationships, looking at how we can be more engaged, whether it’s community appearances or working with grassroots clubs, or in the regional areas.
“We think Canberra is the best kept secret in Australia and should take its place in the football world as a very competitive, sustainable organisation that can continue to produce great players, amazing fan experiences, and look to create bridges with our stakeholders.”
And that’s just the start.
Whilst the Ninja A-League team will be the ownership group’s sole focus when it comes to on-pitch matters this coming season, off the field, Fotopoulos and McAlister are busy mapping out what the future will hold.
As part of taking control of the women’s side, the Australian Professional Leagues also granted the club an exclusive option to introduce a men’s team for the 2028/29 season.
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CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 08: Antoni Jagarinec of Canberra United is pictured during a media opportunity ahead of the A-League season at McKellar Park, on October 08, 2026 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Should that happen, it will be the first time there has been a men’s professional team in the nation’s capital since the Canberra Cosmos, who previously existed more than 25 years ago.
“In a perfect scenario we would have the men’s program up and running by the middle of 2028, we’d have the infrastructure set up, and the players would be announced towards the second half of that year,” Fotopoulos said.
He later added: “There’s definitely been a lot of enthusiasm from many well-recognised coaches here in Australia and around the world for the Canberra men’s team.
“It will come down to what type of football is representative of Canberra and the region, and what our DNA is.
“We will be looking locally for some talent, but if we had a marquee player who wanted to come to Canberra, even if costings may be a little bit excessive, if we felt it was going to help the team and the international profile, we’d have to consider that.”
Another exciting part of ASG’s Canberra blueprint is to bring back an A-League academy in a bid to create a pipeline for the region’s talent to the first team.
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“We need to build this pathway for the future, and we’re looking forward to working with all the stakeholders in the local game to determine what that might look like,” Fotopoulos said when speaking to the Canberra Times.
“The academy is part of our obligation as an A-League club, and the great A-League clubs have an academy structure.
“Our objective is to have that up and running as early as 2028.
“That would be in line with the men’s A-League team starting in 2028 as well, so that is going to be a very significant year.
“If we’re serious about developing football players in this region, we have to give them every opportunity to become that and we’re well placed for that as the only A-League operation.
“But we want to bring everybody along and that’s one of the big jobs we have.”
If that all wasn’t exciting enough, ASG have also confirmed their intention to look at expanding McKellar Park, whilst talk of a new stadium in Canberra to house both the women’s and future men’s side has also been touted.
For now though all eyes will be on Canberra United’s season-opener against Central Coast Mariners at polytec Stadium this weekend.
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CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 04: Michelle Heyman of Canberra United celebrates a goal with team mates during the round 22 A-League Women match between Canberra United and Brisbane Roar at McKellar Park, on April 04, 2026, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
“When the first game kicks off there might be some tears across the board,” Fotopoulos said.
“It’s been a team effort to get the support of Canberra, the stakeholders, the volunteers, and the sponsors, and we can’t wait to meet all our fans.
“We want to say thank you. It’s really about the whole 18 years of developing this club into what it is today.
“Over the last three years, to the people that were faithful to the idea that the club would continue and had that belief, we hope our custodianship will keep evolving the club to a very stable, sustainable organisation in the future.
“It’s wonderful to see Canberra football continue its journey in women’s football and with the introduction soon of the men’s program as well. We’re very privileged and honoured to have this opportunity now to help build on the club’s success.”
