Professional Footballers Australia (the PFA) has today released its 2024–25 A-League Men (ALM) Report, revealing key trends across the competition.
The Report highlights the league’s rapid shift toward youth development, with players aged under 21 accounting for an unprecedented 18% of all match minutes in 2024–25. Players aged 25 and under made up more than half of total minutes for the first time.
Player payments declined for the second successive season. Transfer fees received fell below the previous two seasons but remained well above prior averages across the league’s history.
Acknowledging the strong performance of A-League academies and the increasing playing opportunities for young players, the Report warns that the competition must ensure it strikes a balance between providing opportunity and quality if it is to leverage rising sporting and commercial revenue opportunities.
Read the full 2024-25 A-League Men Report here
Excluding the excellent Auckland FC, the Report reveals that crowds across the league declined from the 2023-24 season, with stadium utilisation continuing to present an enormous barrier to creating a compelling match day atmosphere across the league.
PFA Chief Executive Beau Busch said the findings illustrate both the promise and the fragility of the league.
“The quality on the pitch and the increasing willingness of overseas clubs to invest in the league’s young talent reflects the outstanding work undertaken in A-League academies,” Busch said.
“However, continuing to drive value on the international transfer market must not come at the expense of the other football and traditional revenues.
“The Report shows the league is approaching the extreme end of youth minutes by global standards.
“The Report makes clear that the A-League Men can develop young talent, whilst also competing in Asia, attracting fans and re-establishing an atmosphere that is the envy of all other Australian codes.”
The Report also raises concerns about the A-Leagues’ governance, noting the Australian Professional Leagues’ (APL) decision to announce major labour-market reforms in April this year — including the attempted introduction of a hard salary cap — is in conflict with the 2021–2026 A-Leagues Collective Bargaining Agreement and the hard-won rights of the players.
Busch said players will continue to advocate for solutions that strengthen the league.
“The continued operation of a salary cap, or any other restraint beyond this season, will require the players’ agreement through collective bargaining negotiations, and will be heavily conditional,” Busch said.
“It clear that governance reform is urgently required to deliver a system that fans and players have confidence in and which can ensure the game’s potential is realised.
“Through collective bargaining and constructive engagement, the players will continue to offer a credible plan that responds to the league’s challenges and leverages the opportunities.
“As always, we are committed to being part of the solution.”
Key Findings from the 2024–25 A-League Men Report
- Youth opportunities at record levels: Under-21 players reached 18% of total match minutes; players 25 and under exceeded 50% of available match minutes for the first time.
- Attendances and infrastructure: Average crowds rose 9% to 8,788 — boosted by Auckland FC’s debut — yet only three clubs filled more than half their stadium capacity, underscoring the need for improved, fit-for-purpose venues for the A-Leagues.
- Player sentiment and governance: 52% of surveyed players expressed dissatisfaction with league management; 60% support an independent commission to oversee the competition, aligned with leading models in the AFL and NRL.
- Transfer revenue is volatile revenue source: Clubs earned at least A$11.4 million from transfers in 2025, but the Report warns against relying on player sales at the expense of core revenue streams and long-term fan connection.
