Sydney FC and their local council have provided more information about the decision to call off Saturday’s men’s A-League match against Auckland FC.
“We are extremely disappointed not to be able to host these important Christmas holiday fixtures, particularly the top of the table clash between ourselves and Auckland FC,” the club’s executive vice chairman Sebastian Gray said.
The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) had previously announced the game could not go ahead at Sydney’s Leichhardt Oval on Saturday December 27, 2025, because the pitch was “unplayable” and declared unsafe to play.
Sydney FC’s Sebastian Gray.
The Inner West Council says the problem was that the pitch surface had taken longer than expected to recover from annual maintenance.
The announced postponement — only four days ahead of the match — has disrupted travel plans for Auckland FC fans on both sides of the Tasman.
The Auckland FC squad had been scheduled to fly to Sydney on Christmas Day.
What they said: The host club
“We know how disappointing this is for our Members and fans during the holiday period, especially given we’ve had six great home games at Leichhardt Oval this season,” executive vice chairman Sebastian Gray said.
“We worked hard to find alternative venues, however given the time of year we were unable to find anything suitable.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their continued support, the team at the club as well as our partners at Inner West Council who have worked hard to solve this issue, and we look forward to working with them in future.”
What they said: The council
The council’s Peter Gainsford.
“Council has been undertaking our annual playing field maintenance at Leichhardt Oval,” Inner West Council general manager Peter Gainsford said.
“Unfortunately, there has been a delay to the surface returning to the high-quality standard that we pride ourselves on.
“This follows additional games in November scheduled at Leichhardt Oval as requested by Sydney FC.
“A number of grounds in Sydney are undergoing similar maintenance at this time, which is why no alternative grounds are available.
“We are confident it will be fit to play on by early January and look forward to welcoming Sydney FC back on January 9.”
What they said: The A-Leagues
“Ground staff at the venue changed the field of play from a winter to summer grass following Sydney FC’s last match at Leichhardt Oval against Melbourne Victory on November 22,” the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) said in a statement.
“A follow-up pitch inspection on Monday has found the playing surface to be in an unsatisfactory condition, with large patches of sand and mud, and it’s been declared unsafe for play.”
APL’s Stephen Conroy.
APL chair Stephen Conroy said: “We understand that weather and other factors can impact pitch maintenance and repairs, but for Leichhardt Oval to be unplayable and to be given little notice is unacceptable.
“It’s frustrating that football has to bear the burden of these pitch management issues. It’s simply not good enough, and our game and our fans deserve better.
“We need venues to provide pitches that are maintained and presented to the required standard to ensure player safety and the highest quality football for our fans.
“It’s vital that all tiers of government continue to upgrade venues, recognising that football is the fastest-growing sport in Australia.
“While we know these changes will inconvenience many — and for that we apologise — we’d like to thank Sydney FC, Auckland FC and Brisbane Roar for their collaboration in moving these matches, and we look forward to the rescheduled fixtures.”
Hasn’t this happened before?
Leichhardt Oval has long been one of Sydney football’s most atmospheric venues, but recent seasons exposed problems that went beyond ageing stands.
The sharpest criticism has centred on the playing surface, with concerns about safety, consistency and presentation in broadcast matches.
That scrutiny peaked in November 2024, when the pitch was judged unfit to stage the Ninja A-League Women’s Unite Round.
A pitch inspection followed the Sydney derby at the ground and confirmed the surface did not meet the required standards.
APL moved all six Unite Round matches to Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, citing “player safety and product quality.”
READ MORE: Change of venue prompts free entry to women’s A-League’s Unite Round >>>>
The episode was damaging for a marquee women’s weekend, and it intensified broader questions about Leichhardt’s readiness for elite football.
At the time, Sydney FC chief executive Mark Aubrey said the club would consider options for its remaining women’s home matches at the venue.
Leichhardt Oval. Photo credit: Sydney FC.
Criticisms have also targeted the matchday experience and facilities, including seating and amenities, as well as change rooms and media areas. Local and state planning documents have regularly framed the venue as needing modernisation to remain viable for top-level events.
In response, the Inner West Council has pursued staged works while seeking larger funding partners.
In October 2022, the council announced a $960,000 project to upgrade the playing field surface and improve male and female amenities.
In June 2024, governments and council confirmed a joint $40 million package for a wider redevelopment.
The announced scope included expanding capacity by 3,000 seats, building a new northern grandstand and delivering female-friendly change rooms
In April 2025, the council released final designs and confirmed the funding split of $20 million from the Commonwealth and $10 million each from the State and council.
The same update said construction is due to start after the 2026 winter season.
What happens next
The women’s A-League match between Sydney and Brisbane Roar, scheduled to be played at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday, has also been postponed.
The women’s game will be played on Wednesday February 4, 2026, at the same venue.
No alternative date has been agreed yet for the Auckland FC-Sydney fixture.
Ticketek will be in touch with any ticket holders who wish to request a refund.
Fixture
Game to be played on Saturday December 27, 2025
Sydney v Auckland FC
Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield, 7pm (NZT)
Club
MP
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Auckland FC
9
6
2
1
14
7
7
20
Sydney FC
9
6
0
3
15
7
8
18
Brisbane Roar
9
4
3
2
9
5
4
15
Melbourne City
9
3
4
2
10
7
3
13
Adelaide United
9
4
0
5
13
11
2
12
Newcastle Jets
9
4
0
5
16
17
-1
12
Macarthur FC
9
3
3
3
7
9
-2
12
Wellington Phoenix
9
3
2
4
13
15
-2
11
Melbourne Victory
9
3
2
4
7
12
-5
11
Perth Glory
9
3
1
5
7
12
-5
10
Western Sydney Wanderers
9
2
3
4
6
10
-4
9
Central Coast Mariners
9
2
2
5
10
15
-5
8
Table at 6am (NZT) on Wednesday December 24, 2025.
This story was first published on December 24, 2025.