Canberra is A-League's 'best prospect' for expansion says former FFA director

Football Federation Australia indicated Canberra as next in line to join the competition but the nomination was thrown into question once they surrendered control of the A-League.

Club owners have taken independent ownership of the competition and revealed a long-term plan for a full home-and-away season to keep fans engaged.

New organisers hope to add up to four new teams in the next broadcast cycle, with the current one due to expire in 2023.

Unlike the previous round of expansion, A-League organisers will only invite bids from specific markets to pitch for licences in those geographical areas.

Moulis, who's the former chair of the Canberra Cosmos, said the capital is the best prospect for the competition and should be admitted sooner rather than later.

"What A-League clubs are doing right is that it's not about extracting the most money for a one-off licence but developing the football competition in the country," Moulis said.

"On that measure, Canberra definitely needs to be included and should be the first cab off the rank."

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A-League organisers will identify key markets driven by consumer numbers and potential TV audiences as they look to maximise fan engagement.

Canberra's population size has been a roadblock in previous bids but Moulis said the quality of fans would only help the city's bid under the new structure.

"Canberra has very high-value eyeballs, especially with respect to football," Moulis said.

"There'll be great support for a team in a properly resourced, planned and well-promoted competition, which the A-League clubs are trying to put together.

"Courageous steps were needed to revamp the competition and its offering in Australia. I'm really glad to see the A-League clubs taking up that challenge."

A-League organisers will also consider stadium plans and commercial viability for the next round of expansion.

Capital Football's new $24.5 million complex, which is set to be completed in 2021, will only make Canberra more attractive for a potential A-League franchise.

The Throsby facility will provide international teams with a purpose-built training base in Canberra and will soon host the city's W-League team.

Canberra United will move home games from McKellar Park to Throsby once an enclosed field with a grandstand is built.

"[The facility] is a fantastic advantage for soccer here in Canberra," Moulis said.

"The model that's chosen for the Canberra A-League team is very important and I think a commercial and community model is the way to go.

"Why shouldn't the community invest in terms of facilities like Throsby and ownership of the club to some degree? That will really unite Canberra behind the team."