The2015 FFA Cup preliminary rounds were a qualifying football competition inAustralia to decide 21 of the 32 teams which will take part in the2015 FFA Cup Round of 32, along with the 10A-League clubs and reigningNational Premier Leagues champion (North Eastern MetroStars SC). The preliminary rounds operated within a consistent national structure whereby club entry into the competition was staggered in each state/territory, with the winning clubs from Round 7 of the preliminary rounds in each member federation gaining direct entry into the Round of 32. All Australian clubs were eligible to enter the qualifying process through their respective FFA member federation, however only one team per club was permitted entry in the competition. Teams from theNorthern Territory competed in this competition for the first time.
39 Victorian clubs level 8 and below entered this stage.
First round:
19 Northern New South Wales clubs level 3 and below (North Zone) entered this stage. For Northern NSW, the preliminary rounds would go straight to a penalty shootout in the event that the game is tied at the conclusion of the regular 90 minutes.[11]
20 Queensland clubs level 3 and below entered this stage.
88 Victorian clubs (28 from the previous round and 60 level 6–7) entered this stage.
Second round:
56 Northern New South Wales clubs (10 from the previous round and 46 level 3 and below) entered this stage.
68 Queensland clubs (16 from the previous round and 52 level 5–7 entered this stage.
80 Victorian clubs (44 from the previous round and 36 level 5–6) entered this stage.
23 Western Australian clubs level 6 and below entered this stage.
Third round:
10 Australian Capital Territory clubs level 3 and below entered this stage.
80 New South Wales clubs level 4 and below entered this stage.
43 Northern New South Wales clubs (30 from the previous round and 13 level 2 and below) entered this stage.
10 Northern Territory clubs level 2 and below entered this stage.
74 Queensland clubs (36 from the previous round and 38 level 5–7 entered this stage.
16 Western Australian clubs progressed to this stage.
Byes – 4 NNSW clubs (4 from the South Zone)
Sixth round:
4 Australian Capital Territory clubs progressed to this stage.
20 New South Wales clubs progressed to this stage.
8 Northern New South Wales clubs progressed to this stage.
4 Northern Territory clubs progressed to this stage.
4 South Australian clubs progressed to this stage.
16 Queensland clubs progressed to this stage.
4 Tasmanian clubs progressed to this stage.
16 Victorian clubs progressed to this stage.
8 Western Australian clubs progressed to this stage.
Seventh round:
2 Australian Capital Territory clubs progressed to this stage. This was also the Final of theFederation Cup.
10 New South Wales clubs progressed to this stage. The 5 winners also participated in theWaratah Cup.[1]
4 Northern New South Wales clubs progressed to this stage.
2 Northern Territory clubs progressed to this stage – the winners of the Darwin-based and Alice Springs-based knockout competitions.[12]
8 Queensland clubs progressed to this stage. The 2 Brisbane zone teams (not including theNPL Queensland teams) also played in the Final of theCanale Cup.[13]
2 South Australian clubs progressed to this stage. This was also the Grand Final of theFederation Cup.
2 Tasmanian clubs progressed to this stage. This was also the Grand Final of theMilan Lakoseljac Cup.[7]
8 Victorian clubs progressed to this stage. The 4 winners also qualified to the semi-finals of theDockerty Cup.[14]
4 Western Australian clubs progressed to this stage. The 2 winners will also play in theCool Ridge Cup Final.[15]
FNC = Far North Coast MNC = Mid North Coast NC = North Coast NI = Northern Inland NTH = North (generally) STH = South
NT = Northern Territory
ASP = Alice Springs DAR = Darwin
QLD = Queensland
BNE = Brisbane CQ = Central Queensland FNQ = Far North Queensland GC = Gold Coast MRF = Mackay Regional Football NQ = North Queensland SC = Sunshine Coast SQL = South Queensland (generally) SWQ = South West Queensland WB = Wide Bay
164 teams took part in this stage of the competition, including 148 qualifiers from the previous round and 16 entering at this stage (11 from theNPL QLD (2), 4 from the Football in Central Australia League (2) and the2014 ACT Federation Cup champion (2)). The lowest ranked side that qualified for this round wasNorth Epping Rangers, the onlylevel 7 team left in the competition.
A total of 84 teams competed in this round of the competition. The 42 victorious teams in this round qualified for the Seventh Round. The lowest ranked sides that qualified for this round wereCaulfield United Cobras,Kenthurst and District,Wollongong United andYagoona Lions. They were the onlylevel 6 teams left in the competition.
A total of 42 teams competed in this round of the competition. The 21 victorious teams in this round qualified for the2015 FFA Cup Round of 32. The lowest ranked sides that qualified for this round wereGwelup Croatia andProspect United. They were the onlylevel 5 teams left in the competition.
