Western Sydney Wanderers will host Macarthur FC in the 2020-21 season opener on December 27, it was revealed on Tuesday.
The other opening games will see Western United host Adelaide United, Wellington Phoenix visit Brisbane Roar, Sydney FC take on Melbourne City and the F3 Derby between Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets.
The opening round would seem like just another game, but history shows otherwise.
With the help of Opta data, we assess just what round one means in the A-League.
Opening loss and trophies become difficult
Incredibly, only twice in A-League history has a team that lost in round one gone on to be crowned champions or premiers of that season.
The first instance came in 2011-12, when the Mariners were edged by Brisbane in round one, but went on to win the Premiers' Plate, finishing two points clear of the Roar.
Melbourne Victory were the second, going on to be crowned champions in 2017-18 despite a 1-0 loss to Sydney FC in round one.
In all, six of the nine teams to do the A-League double of being crowned premiers and champions in a single season have done so far after winning in round one. The other three drew. Of the 15 champions, seven have won and seven have drawn, to go with Victory's 2017-18 defeat, in round one. Nine of the 15 premiers have won in the first round, alongside five draws and the Mariners' loss.
Round one looks hugely important in the A-League.
Fast-starting Sydney, Glory woes
Sydney have scored more goals (21) in round one games than any other team in the competition, while earning the most points per game (1.7) of teams to have featured in at least five seasons.
The Sky Blues have lost just two round one matches in their history, and the most recent of those was in 2012-13. They face a huge test to begin 2020-21 season, hosting Melbourne City in a Grand Final rematch at ANZ Stadium.
On the other hand, Perth Glory have lost more games in round one than any other team in A-League history with seven.
In contrast to Sydney, Perth are winless in their past five openers, their last win coming in 2014-15.
The 2019-20 A-League campaign has been suspended since March due to the COVID-19 crisis, but Australia's premier football competition is set to restart on July 16 followed by a five-game finals series – the Grand Final to take place on August 23.
A derby between Melbourne Victory and Western United – originally scheduled for AAMI Park in Melbourne – will be played at a stadium still to be determined due to a spike in coronavirus cases in the state.
Six venues will be used in New South Wales and Queensland with the potential for more to be added subject to government regulations – ANZ Stadium (NSW), Bankwest Stadium (NSW), Central Coast Stadium (NSW), McDonald Jones Stadium (NSW), Jubilee Stadium (NSW) and Cbus Stadium (QLD).
"Over the past three months all stakeholders have been working hard together with one goal in mind – To finish what we started," FFA's Head of Leagues Greg O'Rourke said on Wednesday.
"We know the COVID-19 environment has been very difficult for many people in our community and we hope that delivering an extravaganza of matches will allow our fans to basically see a game everyday will be a unique experience for those who have stood by us.
"As we are a truly national game, the current border controls means that some of the match day venues may need to change, however we have secured venues in both a NSW Hub model and a hybrid hub model which has most games in NSW but allows for a few games in other states.
"Whilst we don't see the draw changing, the planning we have undertaken provides us with agility to shift between certain states if required. This version of the draw displays our current venue plan.
"We will continue to work with the Federal and State governments to ensure the health and safety of our players, coaches and other stakeholders and have detailed and practical protocols in place for all parties involved in training and match days.
"I am excited to see us kick off the restart and ultimately finish off what we started last October, with our priority always being to be in a position to crown our Hyundai A-League premiers and champions for this season."
Defending champions Sydney FC top the table by eight points through 20 matches, though second-placed Melbourne City have played three games less.
Playing under interim boss Steve Kean for the first time, Victory were ahead in the 14th minute through Ben Folami's first goal in Australia's top flight, with Storm Roux heading home Jake Brimmer's left-wing corner to double their advantage.
James Troisi reduced the arrears for Wanderers by hammering in via the crossbar, but Folami had his second in first-half stoppage time – a pinpoint Brimmer delivery and appalling Western Sydney marking again factors.
Brimmer saw a 63rd-minute penalty saved by Daniel Margush, who was let down again from the resulting corner as Dylan Ryan scored.
Jacob Butterfield then clattered in a brilliant long-range effort, meaning Graham Dorrans' 76th-minute spot-kick looked little more than a consolation.
Mitchell Duke converted Troisi's cross and substitute Nicolai Muller got in on the act, but Kean's men held on.
