The Wellington Phoenix will likely spend Christmas in Australia, after confirmation that the 2020/21 A-League season will start December 27.
The club will take advantage of the relaxed border restrictions with Australia - which come into effect on October 16 - to spend the majority of their pre-season across the ditch, where they'll have to remain until a trans-Tasman bubble is operational.
The competition will welcome expansion club Macarthur FC aboard for its inaugural season.
"The men’s competition now features 12 teams, including three in Sydney and three in Melbourne, meaning more derbies, more intensity and more fans," says head of leagues Greg O'Rourke.
"With families at home together during the holiday season, great weather, and games broadcast live on multiple platforms, there are so many ways for fans to be close to the action, at home or in the stadium."
The full schedule of fixtures will be released in early November.
