Canberra United determined to turn Viking Park into a W-League fortress

United will play six home fixtures in Wanniassa this season, having been forced to leave their spiritual home of McKellar Park for the first time in club history.

McKellar Park, where United has played 62 matches, remains closed due to the effects of the COVID-19 crisis and it's unknown when the football venue will reopen.

Under current restrictions, enclosed outdoor venues like Viking Park can hold 50 per cent of capacity, up to 1000 people, with a COVID safe plan.

It's understood United will apply for an exemption to have at least half of the venue's 8000-spectator capacity should these regulations remain for their first home match.

Given Viking Park can hold twice as many fans as McKellar Park, coach Vicki Linton hopes United can attract new fans this season.

"We have some growing room don't we? I think that's a real positive," Linton said.

"I think in this Covid year, that capacity allows us to get people in and still meet all the protocols. Hopefully we won't be impacted too much with a reduction of numbers, that could be here with those restrictions.

"From a coaching point of view, I'm pleased to be playing here. It looks like a great venue.

"The surface is pretty good already, once they start grooming it and preparing it for football I think it'll be very good. It seems to have a good feeling about it here."

United played one match at Viking Park during the 2014-15 season, beating Perth Glory in the final round en route to their second W-League championship.

United has won 43 of 73 home matches, with returning defender Clare Hunt determined to continue their success at Viking Park.

"McKellar was a fortress for us and was a successful home ground. There's no reason why we can't make the same use of Viking Park," Hunt said.

"I feel like we've had a lot of success at home games, it just means we need that fan base to shift to Viking Park and give us that support to win those matches.

"It'll [also] give the south-side supporters an opportunity to get out to some more games. I'm excited for that."

The W-League schedule is expected to be released later this week, with the season to kick-off on December 27.

The Western Sydney Wanderers will launch the football summer with a double-header at Parramatta Stadium, with Dean Heffernan's outfit to host Melbourne Victory. It will follow the A-League's curtain-raiser between Western Sydney and expansion club Macarthur FC.