Live: Auckland FC A-League grand final v Sydney FC

The countdown to kick off in the first A-League grand final to be played outside of Australia is on, and fans have sold out Auckland FC's stadium in Penrose.

Auckand FC are chasing their first Championship trophy in their second season in the league while their opponents Sydney FC want to win a sixth.

Temporary seating has been added to the northern end of Go Media Stadium to help accommodate the nearly 28,000 fans who secured tickets earlier this week.

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.

There's a sense of confidence in the fans outside Mount Smart Stadium, but also a slightly nervous tension.

Hundreds of fans sporting black and blue arrived hours early, expecting to see a result from the Black Knights.

Cries of "up the port" and "ole ole ole" can be heard from the streams of people heading from Penrose Station to the ground.

An organised parade in excess of an estimated 200 people with drums and flags passed singing songs and chanting chants.

Most fans are confident of an Auckland win, with predictions ranging from a cagey 1-0 win to one young lads expectation of a 100-0 thrashing.

However, there is also a decent contingent of Sydney fans who have come over for the final, who are also equally confident their team will lift the trophy tonight.

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.

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.

Sydney FC beat the Jets 4-2 on penalties at Newcastle, after the second leg of their semi-final series finished 1-1 in regular time and 2-2 on aggregate.

Auckland FC had earlier beaten Adelaide 4-1 on aggregate, after an impressive 3-nil away win in the second leg.

Auckland FC is unbeaten against Sydney FC this season, winning the first clash on February 7th 1-0 in Auckland, before drawing 1-all ten days later in Sydney, and then 2-2 on April 26th, also in Sydney.

Kick-off is at 8.10pm NZT.

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