Canberra United FC has a buyer, ending years of uncertainty for the capital's A

In short:

Canberra United FC has a new owner after the team finished last season unsure it would survive.

The Australian Sports Group has been announced as the club's saviour, taking ownership from Capital Football.

What's next?

The new owner has already pointed to plans for Canberra to expand to the A-League Men.

Canberra United FC will take to the pitch next season after the A-League Women's team locked in a buyer.

Australian Sports Group (ASG) has been announced as the new owner and is described as a group of executives in marketing and sports with experience in Australian football.

ASG has already pointed to the prospect of expanding football in the capital with an A-League Men's team for the 2028-29 season.

Australian Professional Leagues, which owns the nation's football competitions, said ASG had plans to "develop Canberra's elite academy pathways, connect the ACT Football community, [and] invest in football infrastructure."

'Introduction of A-League Men's team'

ASG chief executive Theo Fotopoulos said he was "thrilled to be leading the next generation of professional football in Canberra".

"Taking on the ownership of the Canberra United womenʼs team with a renewed focus on growth and investment, and progressing towards an integrated professional club with the introduction of an A-League Menʼs team in season 2028-29,ˮ he said.

Canberra United FC remains the A-League Women's only stand-alone team, and until now, it also had no owner, which had resulted in uncertain one-year contracts for players.

The club had been saved a few times, but was given one final lifeline last year when the ACT government gave Capital Football a funding injection to keep it from folding.

Capital Football is responsible for running football in the ACT, but unlike other state and territory-based organisations, it has also run the professional A-League Women side — putting a strain on its resources.

"We stand ready to support ASG going forwards, strengthening connections and pathways across the ACT football community,"

Capital Football chair Sarah Baker-Goldsmith said.

The last A-League Women's regular season wrapped up in April with United finishing third on the ladder.

The players will now be able to plan for the next season kicking-off in October.

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