Auckland FC Eyes Historic A-League Finals at Home Turf

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (PS) — Fresh off securing their first piece of silverware, Auckland FC is pushing to complete a rare first-season double — and they want to do it on home soil at Go Media Stadium.

The expansion A-League club locked up the Premiers Plate after finishing atop the regular-season standings, but their ambitions are far from satisfied. Head coach Steve Corica made it clear: winning the Grand Final remains the ultimate goal.

“The big picture is winning the Grand Final,” Corica said. “The Premier’s Plate is special, and we want the players to celebrate that achievement. But the real prize is the Grand Final. To win both in our first season would be unheard of.”

Auckland FC, as the top qualifier, would earn the right to host the 2024-25 Grand Final — if they progress — but final decisions on venue logistics rest with the Australian Professional Leagues (APL), which oversees the competition’s operations. The APL also retains all ticketing revenue for finals matches.

Nick Becker, Auckland FC’s chief executive, confirmed the club’s preference is to keep finals football at their home in Penrose.

“Our fans love it here. The players love playing here,” Becker said. “Our first choice is Go Media Stadium. That’s where we’ve built our season, and it’s only fair to reward our members who have been with us all year.”

Venue Uncertainty Remains

Negotiations between the APL, Go Media Stadium, and Eden Park are ongoing. However, Eden Park — Auckland’s largest venue — is unavailable on May 31 due to a Super Rugby Pacific clash between the Blues and Waratahs.

While Eden Park’s 50,000-seat capacity could host a bigger crowd, Becker believes atmosphere and loyalty matter more.

“Bigger isn’t always better,” Becker said. “We’re considering temporary seating at Go Media, which could push capacity to just over 30,000. That would still allow for an incredible atmosphere.”

This season, Auckland FC led the A-League in average home attendance with nearly 18,000 fans per match and recorded four sellouts, including season opener and key derbies against Wellington Phoenix.

Home Advantage: A Point of Pride

Keeping the Grand Final at Go Media Stadium would not only honor fan loyalty but also provide season ticket holders with priority seating — preserving the same seats they’ve occupied all year.

In 2022, the APL controversially sold the Grand Final hosting rights to Sydney in a three-year deal reportedly worth $20 million. Intense backlash from fans led to a reversal, reinstating home-ground advantage for top qualifiers — a decision Becker applauded.

“Football thrives on passion and tribalism,” Becker said. “Hosting the Grand Final at home is the right reward for finishing first. It’s a massive moment for the club, the players, and especially for our supporters.”

Auckland FC will begin their finals campaign with a semifinal first leg in Australia on May 17, before returning to Go Media Stadium for the second leg on May 24. If successful, the Grand Final could follow — and Auckland will be ready.