The game will be rescheduled with a date yet to be confirmed.
“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,” APL chair Stephen Conroy said.
“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, local councils and state governments to invest more into better management and the upgrade of venues to ensure the highest-quality conditions for our players and fans.
“We will continue to push this across our leagues and support the club for this fixture.”
Conroy acknowledged the fixture change would “inconvenience many”.
“For that we apologise. It is imperative that we have the best possible playing surface to ensure quality football, player safety and the most entertaining product for our fans.”
Auckland FC had been due to fly to Sydney on Christmas Day.