WESTS APIA FC ANNOUNCE LAMBERT PARK AS HOME VENUE FOR AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2026
National football comes home as Lambert Park hosts Wests APIA FC's Australian Championship matches
For the first time since the early 1990s, national senior men’s football is coming back to Leichhardt’s fabled, purpose-built Lambert Park. Wests APIA FC has confirmed the iconic ground as the venue for all of its home matches in the 2026 Australian Championship.
The move brings the club’s Group B campaign against Avondale FC, Adelaide City FC and Broadmeadow Magic FC to Marion Street, while Leichhardt Oval, the club’s more recent home for national fixtures, undergoes renovations.
Back where it all began
Lambert Park has been APIA’s home since 1954. It hosted the club’s National Soccer League campaigns from 1979, including the 1987 championship-winning season under Rale Rasic.
View this post on Instagram
Since APIA left the NSL after the 1991–92 season, its national-stage matches have been played away or at Leichhardt Oval. Those include famous Australia Cup wins over Melbourne Victory (2018), Western Sydney Wanderers (2021) and Melbourne City (2025).
In the competition’s inaugural season, Wests APIA staged all four of its Australian Championship home matches at Leichhardt Oval. More than ten thousand supporters came through the gates as the granatazzuri reached the quarter-finals. Now, with the national second tier back for its second edition, APIA is aiming to go even further.
Big nights at Lambert Park are nothing new, either. Through the 2020s, APIA has drawn between 2,000 and 5,000 fans to several matches at the ground. Highlights include the 2021 and 2022 Festival of Football clashes with Sydney Olympic and the 2024 Australia Cup Preliminary Round 7 derby against Marconi Stallions.
A better matchday at Lambert Park
The club can’t wait to welcome fans back for big games at Lambert Park. We also know some supporters may wonder how matchdays at a tight, compact ground will compare with the spacious 20,000-capacity Leichhardt Oval.
That’s why the club has been working hard to improve the experience for every spectator. Combining our own investment with funds raised through a raffle fundraiser during the 2026 NPL season, here’s what’s new at Lambert Park:
Brighter LED floodlights: Work began this week to renew the ground’s main floodlights. The new LED system doubles Lambert Park’s current lux level and keeps the light on the pitch, with no spill beyond it.
New grandstand seating: Thanks to the Inner West Council, we’ve secured an extra 700 seats sourced directly from Leichhardt Oval’s Latchem Robinson Grandstand, adding another iconic local touch to our beloved Leichhardt home. This seating is a temporary installation for the Australian Championship. A full refurbishment, customisation and further tiered seating will follow in 2027.
Scoreboard back in action: Earlier this year we completed a full refurbishment of the DESANE Scoreboard at the railway end. It’s now fully operational, with high-quality visuals and information throughout APIA home matchdays and events.
More food options and food trucks: A steak roll and chips from Joe’s canteen remain a Lambert Park must, but across a three-game pass you may fancy more variety. We’re in talks with a range of vendors to sit alongside the stadium scran staples. We’ll share what’s coming to each match as our November home games draw closer.
A brand-new public beer garden: A public beer garden will be set up behind the goal at the railway end, open to General Admission patrons and Season Members. That’s all we’ll say for now; more details will follow on our social media channels.
Restocked merchandise store: Retro shirts and jackets, FORZA range favourites, Macron teamwear and customisable items, plus hats, scarves and accessories. Whatever APIA gear you need, we’ve topped up the shelves of the Lambert Park Matchday Merch Shop. Keep an eye out, too, for an online pre-order window for our 2026 Australian Championship kits.
First-class entertainment: Building on what made Wests APIA matchdays so popular in 2025, our Australian Championship games are events, not just matches. We’ll share more about what’s in store beyond the 90 minutes ahead of each home game.
Join us for the 2026 campaign
With Lambert Park ready to roar again, Wests APIA’s 2026 Australian Championship campaign is set to be one to remember. Memberships go on sale on Friday 9 October, with single-match tickets released in the lead-up to each home game. Follow the club’s social media channels for every key announcement, from matches and kits to squad changes and new signings.
View this post on Instagram
