The trophies keep coming: APIA crowned NPL NSW Premiers

APIA Leichhardt took home the 2026 NPL NSW premiership after securing the point they needed in a 0-0 draw with Sydney United in a dramatic penultimate round of the season.

Franco Parisi’s APIA needed only a draw to wrap up top spot with a round to spare and held firm at Sydney United Sports Centre, where Mason Wells came closest to breaking the deadlock when he struck the crossbar late.

It continues a special period under APIA legend Parisi, who has now delivered two Premierships in 2023 and 2026, the 2025 Championship and 2024 Waratah Cup. Four seasons, four major trophies.

Sutherland Sharks also had reason to celebrate after a 2-1 win over St George City secured both NPL NSW finals football and the club’s first-ever qualification for the upcoming Australian Championship.

Yianni Nicolaou and Diego Bonilla struck in front of a packed Seymour Shaw as David Perkovic’s impressive side added another chapter to a season that has gathered serious momentum.

There were vastly different emotions at Belmore Sports Ground, where Sydney Olympic were relegated from NPL NSW for the first time in their illustrious history.

Ahmad Elhelou’s 84th-minute winner earned Marconi Stallions a 1-0 victory and lifted them into second, while condemning the former NSL powerhouse - NPL NSW Premiers as recently as 2022 - to the second tier.

The finals race, meanwhile, is heading for a grandstand finish.

Manly United remained inside the top six with a crucial 2-0 win over UNSW, while Benjamin Duroux earned NWS Spirit a 1-0 victory over nine-man SD Raiders.

Wollongong Wolves kept the pressure on with a commanding 3-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers, moving within two points of the top six ahead of a huge final-round showdown with Manly.

At the bottom, 10-man St George FC defeated Blacktown City 1-0 to avoid automatic relegation following Olympic’s defeat. The Saints will instead face Northern Tigers in the promotion-relegation playoff.