The 2026 Football South Australia Federation Cup, also known as the Australia Cup South Australian preliminary rounds until the semi-finals, was the 113th running of the Federation Cup, the main soccer knockout cup competition in South Australia. The competition also functioned as part of the 2026 Australia Cup preliminary rounds, with the two finalists qualifying for the main competition.
North Eastern MetroStars were the defending champions, losing 1–4 in the second round to Croydon FC.
Schedule RoundDraw dateMatch datesNo. of fixturesTeamsNew entries this roundFirst round2 February20 February–7 March2658 → 3252Second round11 March1–4 April1632 → 166Third round8 April24–25 April816 → 8NoneQuarter-finals12–19 May48 → 4NoneSemi-finals10–17 June24 → 2NoneFinal—12 July12 → 1None
Teams
58 teams participatedin the competition: 49 from the Greater Adelaide area, three from Mount Gambier, two from the Adelaide Hills region, and one from Gawler, Port Pirie, Naracoorte, and Whyalla. National Premier Leagues South Australia, State League One and State League Two represent levels 2–4 on the unofficial Australian league system, and are required to participate in the Federation Cup. The South Australian Regional Leagues represent level 5. The South Australian Amateur Soccer League was not represented in the national league system. Adelaide United Youth werenot eligible for the tournament, as the senior team entered the Australia Cup competition at the round of 32.
Football South Australia affiliate clubs NPL SA (2) SA State League 1 (3) SA State League 2 (4) North South Adelaide City Adelaide Atletico Angle Vale Adelaide Hills Hawks Adelaide Comets Adelaide Blue Eagles Barossa United Adelaide Titans Campbelltown City Adelaide Croatia Raiders Elizabeth Downs Adelaide University Croydon FC Adelaide Olympic Elizabeth Grove Ghan United FK Beograd Adelaide Omonia Cobras Gawler Eagles Mount Barker United North Eastern MetroStars Cumberland United Modbury Vista Noarlunga United Para Hills Knights Eastern United Northern Demons Plympton Bulldogs Playford City Fulham United Pontian Eagles Seaford Rangers Sturt Lions Modbury Jets Port Adelaide Vipers FC West Adelaide Salisbury United Salisbury Inter Western Strikers West Torrens Birkalla South Adelaide Panthers The CoveNon-affiliate clubs Regional Leagues (5)Amateur Leagues (-) Limestone Coast Whyalla Blue Lake Whyalla Lions Adelaide Brasfoot BOSA FC Gambier Centrals Ingle Farm Messinian Association Hawks International SC Old Ignatians Para Hills East Naracoorte United Para Hills West Sturt Marion Thunder Tea Tree Gully West Adelaide Raptors
Bracket
First round The first round of the Federation Cup was also the third round of the 2026 Australia Cup preliminary rounds. National Premier League teams Campbelltown City, North Eastern MetroStars, Para Hills Knights, Sturt Lions, West Adelaide, and West Torrens Birkalla were given a bye into this round.
All times are in ACDT.
Second round The second round of the Federation Cup was also the fourth round of the 2026 Australia Cup preliminary rounds, featuring 26 teams from the previous round and the six teams from the National Premier League who were not drawn into the first round.
+ Number of teams per tier still in competition NPL SA (2) State League 1 (3) State League 2 (4) Regional (5) Amateur (-) Total
Third round The third round of the Federation Cup was also the fifth round of the 2026 Australia Cup preliminary rounds.
+ Number of teams per tier still in competition NPL SA (2) State League 1 (3) State League 2 (4) Regional (5) Amateur (-) Total
Quarter-finals The quarter-finals of the Federation Cup were also the sixth round of the 2026 Australia Cup preliminary rounds.
+ Number of teams per tier still in competition NPL SA (2) State League 1 (3) State League 2 (4) Regional (5) Amateur (-) Total
Semi-finals The semi-finals of the Federation Cup were also the seventh round of the 2026 Australia Cup preliminary rounds.
+ Number of teams per tier still in competition NPL SA (2) State League 1 (3) State League 2 (4) Regional (5) Amateur (-) Total
Final
See also 2026 Football South Australia season
Notes
References