![\"Cam](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4JO5RRZ_260523AucklandFCSydneyFinal_071_JPG.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nCam Howieson celebrates his winning goal.
\nPhoto: Andrew Cornaga\/www.photosport.nz\n<\/p>\n
Auckland FC are A-League champions after their second season in the league ended with the biggest prize in the competition.<\/p>\n
A 1-0 win over Sydney FC in Saturday’s grand final at a sold-out Go Media Stadium crowned Auckland as the A-League champions for the first time.<\/p>\n
It was Cam Howieson’s goal on the hour mark that was the difference.<\/p>\n
Howieson has been playing football in Auckland for nearly a decade and was among the first signings when Auckland FC was formed.<\/p>\n
It was fitting it that it was the midfielder who scored his first goal for the club on the biggest stage.<\/p>\n
The first A-League grand final to be hosted outside of Australia got off to a cautious start with the home side dominating the chances in the first half as Sydney committed to playing out from the back.<\/p>\n
![\"Auckland](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4JO5SJ1_260523AKLFCvSydneyFC_2903_JPG.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
\nAuckland FC’s Callan Elliot and Sydney FC’s Wataru Kamijo.
\nPhoto: Shane Wenzlick \/ Photosport.nz\n<\/p>\n
The scores were level at 0-0 at halftime.<\/p>\n
After the break Sydney’s best chance came just before the hour mark but it was Auckland who would be the first to find the back of the net with a bit of help from a Sydney defender.<\/p>\n
A flare thrown from the crowd, at the Auckland supporters end, on to the field after the goal was scored was a blight on the 28,374 fans who witnessed history.<\/p>\n
Read how the grand final unfolded below:<\/p>\n
Temporary seating had been added to the northern end of Go Media Stadium to help accommodate the nearly 28,000 fans who secured tickets earlier this week.<\/p>\n
Auckland FC are known for the entertainment they offer off the pitch and the popular slide down the embankment is there but the football-themed bouncy castle will not be in its usual spot as the extra seating takes up some of that space.<\/p>\n
‘Ours to win’<\/p>\n
Even going into the match, Auckland FC fans were confident of the win.<\/p>\n
Cries of “up the port” and “ole ole ole” could be heard from the streams of people heading from Penrose Station to the ground.<\/p>\n
A parade with an estimated more than 200 people with drums and flags headed towards the stadium, singing songs and chanting chants, more than an hour before kickoff.<\/p>\n
One fan told RNZ said he thought it was absolutely “ours to win tonight.”<\/p>\n
Another said he was “beyond excited” to see Auckland host the grand final.<\/p>\n
His prediction was particularly good.<\/p>\n
“Auckland win, hands down … I’m guessing 1-0 in 90, or it’s gonna go to penalties.”<\/p>\n
Other predictions were less accurate, with one young Auckland fan predicting a 100-goal landslide.<\/p>\n
![\"Eager](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4JO5Y1Y_AucklandFCFinal_2_jpeg.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
\nEager fans enter the stadium for the grand final.
\nPhoto: RNZ\/ Tim Collins\n<\/p>\n
A particularly dedicated fan said he had made the snap decision to travel up from Dunedin for the game.<\/p>\n
“This morning I was on the plane bright and early.”<\/p>\n
![\"Eager](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4JO5Y1Y_AucklandFCFinal_1_jpeg.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
\nOne said she had a particularly special reason for supporting the team.
\nPhoto: RNZ\/ Tim Collins\n<\/p>\n
However, there was also a decent contingent of Sydney fans who had crossed the Tasman for the final.<\/p>\n
One said she had a particularly special reason for supporting the team.<\/p>\n
“My husband and I probably almost had our first date at a Sydney FC game, so now that we have kids, we thought we would bring them along across the ditch and cheer on Sydney FC.”<\/p>\n
However, there was also a decent contingent of Sydney fans who had come over for the final, and were also equally confident their team will lift the trophy tonight.<\/p>\n
One told RNZ she and her family were incredibly excited for the match.<\/p>\n
“My husband and I probably almost had our first date at a Sydney FC game, so now that we have kids, we thought we would bring them along across the ditch and cheer on Sydney FC.”<\/p>\n
She said she was expecting her team to win 2-0.<\/p>\n
“Sorry to disappoint the local fans.”<\/p>\n
![\"Louis](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4JO5TVP_260523AucklandFCSydneyFinal_051_JPG.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
\nLouis Verstraete of Auckland FC and Tiago Quintal of Sydney FC.
\nPhoto: Andrew Cornaga\/www.photosport.nz\n<\/p>\n
Sydney arrive in New Zealand with a new coach, Patrick Kisnorbo, who has only been in the job since March but undefeated since he took over.<\/p>\n
Auckland’s coach Steve Corica has won A-League trophies five times before with Sydney but only one of his players, Dan Hall, has been an A-League champion before.<\/p>\n