Football
AAP 6y

A-League Grand Final sells out 30,000-capacity McDonald Jones Stadium


Saturday's A-League Grand Final at Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium has sold out five days before the decider after unprecedented demand for tickets.

Hearty support from Melbourne Victory travelling fans has bolstered demand, though Jets coach Ernie Merrick hopes the home support at the 30,000-capacity venue will carry his side to a championship.

"Having a full house with predominantly Novocastrian and Hunter region fans will be terrific for us and very important for the outcome of this game," Merrick said on Monday.

It is the first time a non-capital city has hosted the A-League Grand Final, and the eighth successive time the event has sold out. The crowd will shatter the record for a sporting event at the venue.

FFA chief executive David Gallop suggested the compelling nature of the semifinals made selling tickets a breeze.

"Everyone is talking about the amazing drama of last weekend's semifinals, and the world is talking about Riley McGree's amazing scorpion kick goal," he said.

"The Jets have gone from wooden spooners to Grand Finalists in one season and earned the right to play in front of their home crowd ... and Melbourne Victory will be relishing the chance to win another Grand Final, so I am sure we are going to see a fitting finale to the season."

Live sites will be also be set up in Newcastle for fans not at the game.

Under a previous policy, any final hosted by a NSW-based team would have been played at Allianz Stadium.

Despite the advantage given to the Jets, opposing coach Kevin Muscat hailed the decision as a victory for fairness.

"[A-League head] Greg O'Rourke has made some really good decisions. Allowing Newcastle to play in Newcastle is another one," Muscat said.

"They've earned that right."

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