What time does UK football kick off in Australia?
8 minute read ⌚
Sport is important. With Euro 2024 just around the corner, I’m sure we’ll that out first-hand in the HTWA household.
One of my thoughts (mild concern) about moving from the UK to Australia would be about, “What time does the Coventry City match kick-off?”
It seems silly, but I’ve been watching those guys for 30 years plus. It is part of what I am, so I don’t want to give that up.
Am I now going to have to wait until Monday evening to get angry at my Seahawks? Are Cov now going to ruin my Saturday nights?
What Time do UK Football Matches Kick off in Australia?
I’ll go straight in with the headline topic here. Despite several games being moved around to suit various broadcasters the standard UK football match takes place at 3pm on a Saturday.
Timezones
There are multiple timezones in play on both sides of the world here so it’s going to get confusing 🙃
UK Summer Time (GMT +1) is usually in effect between April and October, inclusive of the whole of those months.
Australian Daylight Saving is in place in only the following states:
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Australian Capital Territory
In Australia, daylight saving is in effect in the applicable states between October and April
Firstly we’ll look at the equivalent times based on UK Winter Time.
| Australian City | Kick Off Time |
|---|---|
| Sydney – New South Wales | 2am |
| Brisbane – Queensland | 1am |
| Perth – Western Australia | 11pm |
| Canberra – ACT | 2am |
| Adelaide – South Australia | 12:30am |
| Melbourne – Victoria | 2am |
| Darwin – Northern Territory | 11:30am |
| Hobart – Tasmania | 2am |
| Australian City | Kick Off Time |
|---|---|
| Sydney – New South Wales | 12am |
| Brisbane – Queensland | 12am |
| Perth – Western Australia | 10pm |
| Canberra – ACT | 12am |
| Adelaide – South Australia | 11:30pm |
| Melbourne – Victoria | 12am |
| Darwin – Northern Territory | 11:30pm |
| Hobart – Tasmania | 12am |
My brain is hurting after trying to fathom the differences including both timezones for the UK and Australia. In reality, the time zones are opposing so if you are in Sydney a manageable midnight kick-off at the start of the season will become a tiring 2am when UK winter/Aussie summer kicks in.
Perth maintains its favourite status with me for the more favourable late evening kick-off times.
Champions League
If you are in the fortunate position of supporting a team that regularly plays in the Champions League. Or just enjoy watching the top-tier football entertainment that the competition offers, you’ll be hoping for another table 😖
I’ve prepared one more table based on Tuesday/Wednesday night games kicking off at 8pm UK winter time.
| Australian City | Kick Off Time |
|---|---|
| Sydney – New South Wales | 7am following day |
| Brisbane – Queensland | 6am the following day |
| Perth – Western Australia | 4am |
| Canberra – ACT | 7am |
| Adelaide – South Australia | 6:30am |
| Melbourne – Victoria | 7am |
| Darwin – Northern Territory | 5:30am |
| Hobart – Tasmania | 7am |
Any dedicated fan will find the time to watch their local football team, even if it means consuming a vat of coffee the following day due to lack of sleep.
Moving to the other side of the world will obviously come with some sacrifices. Those Champions League kick-off times are going to be difficult with work and school thrown into the mix. I presume a fan in Australia would just avoid all forms of social media etc until they get back from work and get the time to catch up on the football.
A-League Teams
What time does UK football kick off in Australia? Who cares if you just support your newly adopted local Aussie team right?
OK, it’s not going to be a replacement, but we all have room in our hearts for another team. There is nothing like seeing the ball hit the net live in a stadium either. Therefore, if I ever get the fortune to become a resident of Perth. I’ll look to visit The HBF Park to watch Perth Glory.
There are plenty of other teams on offer though. Check the Table below for more details.
| Club | City | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Adelaide United | Adelaide | https://adelaideunited.com.au/ |
| Brisbane Roar | Brisbane | https://brisbaneroar.com.au/ |
| Central Coast Mariners | Gosford | https://ccmariners.com.au/ |
| Macarthur FC | Campbelltown | https://macarthurfc.com.au/ |
| Melbourne City | Melbourne | https://melbournecityfc.com.au/ |
| Melbourne Victory | Melbourne | https://melbournevictory.com.au/ |
| Newcastle Jets | Newcastle | https://newcastlejetsfc.com.au/ |
| Perth Glory | Perth | https://perthglory.com.au/ |
| Sydney FC | Sydney | https://sydneyfc.com/ |
| Wellington Phoenix | Wellington (New Zealand) | https://wellingtonphoenix.com/ |
| Western Sydney Wanderers | Sydney | https://wswanderersfc.com.au/ |
| Western United | Melbourne | https://wufc.com.au/ |
Well, that is the important subject of football (soccer) covered. UK Kick-off times may be awkward, but I’m sure a coffee on the beach is decent medicine for the potential tiredness from staying up to watch your team play.
