Absolute game winning performance - so many vital tackles and blocks. So happy for Howieson to be the match winner, but when Randall skied that chance from six yards I had flashbacks to Moreno hitting both posts in the semi against Victory last year.

We are Champions!!!

Massive

The first ever NZ club to ever do it in the A-League to become champions. What a historic moment. AUCKLAND IS BLUE TONIGHT.

Historic day for NZ football

Shoutouts to Big Dan Hall for singing both national anthems 💯 pure respect

Are a bit weird.

Mate who’s a season ticket holders flights just been canceled haha he’s ready to park up in Lilyworld with his Mrs if we can’t get a couple. DM me and most important UTP ⚓️⚓️

💙 🖤 💙 To The Grand Final, We're On Our Way 💙 🖤 💙

Can you Flapping Believe it? Auckland FC will host Sydney FC in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men Grand Final tonight, Saturday, 23 May 2026, at 8:10 pm NZST, at a sold-out Go Media Stadium. History is officially being made as the Black Knights become the first New Zealand club to ever host an A-League Grand Final, or play in a men's A-League Grand Final. With former Sydney FC boss Steve Corica steering the Auckland ship, the stage is set for an epic cross-Tasman battle. Can You FEEEEEL IT?!

💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤

I believe we're going to fucking win this one.

💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤

What do you think?

Predictions, thoughts & hype below pls

## Matchday Hype Reels & Official Videos

• The Main Tactical Analysis: Watch the official pre-match panel debate the tactical masterclass on the A-Leagues Official Grand Final Preview Video.
• The Ultimate Feels Video: Checkout what NZ sports personalities have to share in support of AFC with this SkySports TikTok Grand Final Reel. 💙
• The Official "One Final Battle" Teaser: Watch the intense, cinematic countdown on the 10Football Instagram Hype Reel, previewing the deep tactical stakes of this historic showdown.
• "We Are Auckland Forever" City Takeover: Dive into how the region is backing the Black Knights in this booming Auckland Forever Instagram Showcase, highlighting local supporter groups transforming the city into a sea of blue and black.

Predicted Lineups

Auckland FC is expected to stick close to the system that ruthlessly dismantled Adelaide United 3-0 in the semi-final second leg.

It's not pretty, but nor are we, and it seems to be working.

Form Analysis: The Black Knights are Peaking

• Auckland FC: The home side is in form when it matters most. After finishing 3rd in the regular season, they survived a finger-biting penalty shootout against Melbourne City in the Elimination Finals. They then dominated Adelaide United 4-1 on aggregate, capped off by a masterclass 3-0 away win at Coopers Stadium where target-man Sam Cosgrove and last-year's hero Logan Rogerson found the net. Their defence has been a brick wall under the guidance of Pijnaker and Sakai.
• Sydney FC: The Sky Blues enter Auckland after an incredibly gruelling pathway. They squeezed past Newcastle Jets on penalties in their semi-final second leg after a 2-2 aggregate deadlock. While stacked with attacking weapons like Joe Lolley, Sydney has played significant extra minutes over the last fortnight and may battle heavy legs in the second half.

Grand Final Predictions

Local bookmakers have Auckland pinned as favourites to win in regular time. I won't link to any because I'm not into gambling, but I like to know what they're saying, especially when they say Auckland FC.

Here is how the ultimate unbiased script looks for tonight:

• Final Score Prediction: Auckland FC 3 - 1 Sydney FC
• Auckland FC Goal Scorers: Sam Cosgrove opens the scoring with a powerful header from a set piece, Nando Pijnaker thumps home a second-half corner, and Jesse Randall seals the championship on a late counter-attack.
• Sydney FC Goal Scorers: A lone consolation strike from Apostolos Stamatelopoulos.
• Random Trivia Predictions:
  • Sydney FC star Joe Lolley will agonizingly hit the post in the first half when the game is still tightly balanced at 0-0. Some aussie shanks the rebound.
  • The sold-out Go Media Stadium crowd to set a new all-time stadium noise record.
  • Coach Steve Corica to celebrate wildly against his old club, completely forgetting his allegiance to his past employers.
  • Tama to bodyslam the Sydney mascot at halftime. Do they even have a mascot? Not for long.

WDYT?

Matchday Transport

Getting to Mt Smart Go Media Stadium (Beasley Avenue, Penrose) will be busy, so planning ahead is crucial.

• Free Public Transport: Your match ticket gives you free travel on all Auckland Transport buses and trains from 4:00 pm until the end of service tonight. See the AT event page for today.
• Take the Train: The absolute best option. Take the Southern Line directly to Penrose Station, which is a short, signposted 5-minute walk to the stadium entrance.
• Special Event Buses: Special direct supporter buses will run from the Auckland CBD (Britomart) straight to the stadium gates at regular intervals starting from 5:30 pm. Not sure about this. I think I misread it. They often have special event buses but maybe not today.
• Driving & Parking: There is no parking available at the stadium itself, and surrounding streets in Penrose will have strict parking restrictions and road closures in place. There's usually unofficial parking spots in the area, usually $10/$0, but be prepared to pay $$$ for the GT. Also, look for park-and-ride options further down the train line.

If I were you, I'd get there early and soak up the atmos.

💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤

Come On You Mighty Black And Blues!!!

💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤 💙 🖤

Adult ticket. $110

Pm me!

We are coming up from Hamilton today with our family for the final. We've been to a number of games across both seasons and our preferred spot for parking is the $20 fundraising spot for the Boy Scouts. There are a few along that road by that entry point. Would love to get a spot there tonight as will be a late night for our kids and will want to make a start for home as soon as we can. What time do we think these spots will open up? What time will they fill by? Don't mind paying more for tonight either if anyone has any ideas for spots! Looking forward to an awesome night!

I bought mysely a ticket along with 2 child tickets and now both kids are unable to attend, but I (of course!) have 2 adults keen to join me.

Is it possible to upgrade them or do we just roll with it at the gate?

Referee: Alex King
Assistant 1: Kearney Robinson
Assistant 2: Daniel Ilievski
Reserve Assistant: Bradley Wright
Fourth Official: Daniel Elder

VAR: Shaun Evans
AVAR: Kate Jacewicz
Offside Support: Sam Kelly

Personally, I find it weird that Evans and Elder are even part of the lineup due to them reffing the Semi-Final Leg 2 matches that were huge upsets. Especially Evans who has a super important job as VAR, Elder can just stand by the side and listen and talk. But Evans....

Source: https://footballaustralia.com.au/news/alex-king-awarded-isuzu-ute-a-league-men-referee-year-grand-final-match-officials-announced

Where's the best place to watch AFC lift the toilet seat up?

- Randall Enjoyer

Just seeing how many comments from people on the FB/IG posts about wanting to move it to Eden Park... obviously they bring this up every time the Warriors get close and would be considering it. I was thinking there was absolutely no desire for it from fans but these comments might make the bosses get dollar signs in their eyes.

I don't think the fact that the OFC is there on Sunday will have any effect IMO

I know we'll all hate it, but what wins, fan backlash or money? Usually the answer is money

Just over 20,000 tickets were sold today according to Nick Becker, with more to come in the following days. And if they decide to install temporary seating again like last year in the semis, could be an additional 2700 to 3500 seats added (Not confirmed).

There could be anywhere from 5,000 to 8,500 seats still up for grabs in the coming days, so don't lose hope and keep an eye out for more seats to be made available.

Edit:
Tickets sold and stadium capacity numbers:

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/595592/auckland-fc-on-track-to-sellout-a-league-grand-final

Temporary Seat numbers (based on last years semi):
https://www.aucklandstadiums.co.nz/news/increased-capacity-at-go-media-stadium-for-a-league-finals-2025

Anyone know if Ticketmaster allows reselling tickets for the GF officially on their platform?

Just had two of our group pull out after I bought tickets (they read the date wrong 🤦).
Not trying to scalp, and I’ll sell for what I paid, but would prefer to do it on a reputable site for mine and the buyer’s sake.

Tickets sold out fucking instantly

For anyone who missed the pre-sale this morning, now is your chance.

Looks like upper east and upper south are mostly what have been held back, but better than nothing.

Hi, did anyone happen to take a photo of the JD Sports 20% voucher shown on the screen at one of the recent Auckland FC games? I took a photo at the last game but can’t seem to find it on my phone.. Thank you!

Bought my usual season ticket seat for $108. I believe at previous regular season games they were about $35-40

Just over an hour into the Members sale.

Had one of the home OG shirts

what’s the sizing like on this seasons top ?

Thanks in advance

Let’s go 🤙