Canberra United kicks off their 2025/2026 Ninja A-League campaign at home against the Newcastle Jets on Sunday afternoon at McKellar Park.
Finishing in fifth last campaign, United are hoping to start the season with a bang and repeat last season’s opening day victory against the Brisbane Roar in front of a packed McKellar Park crowd. Wins in thee final three games of the season secured an Elimination Finals spot for the first time since 2021 for the club. United went on to lose to eventual Champions Central Coast Mariners 2-1 at Polytec Stadium.
United have enjoyed a strong preseason, defeating the ESS Invitational Allstars team 2-0 at the club’s season launch, with goals to new signings Emma Hawkins, and local NPL star Keira Bobbin. United then went onto defeat the Western Sydney Wanderers 3-2 in their final pre-season fixture in Sydney.Â
United have added a host of experienced A-League players to their 2025/2026 side, with the signing Kiara De Domizio and re-signing of Sasha Grove from the Western Sydney Wanderers. Nanako Sasaki (Adelaide United), Jazmin Wardlow (Central Coast Mariners), and Ava Briedis (Melbourne Victory) make up the rest of the experienced signings, with Josie Aulicino and Sienna Dale signing from Victorian and New South Wales NPL clubs.
The Newcastle Jets are looking to recover from last season’s underwhelming performance of five wins and five draws, which saw them narrowly avoid the wooden spoon in 11th place. Under new head coach Stephen Hoyle, the Jets have looked to New Zealand to bolster their squad this season. Goalkeeper Anna Leat and Striker Kelli Brown have both represented the Football Ferns, while Olivia Page, and Defender Charlotte Lancaster have appearances for New Zealand’s U-20s team.
United could not take advantage of Newcastle’s poor run of form last season, drawing to the NSW side in both of their meetings. The last meeting was a 2-2 draw in January, with United goals to Sofia Christopherson and Michelle Heyman.Â
