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

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

The game is underway in front of a sold out crowd at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium.

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.

One said he thought it was absolutely "ours to win tonight."

"They'll score first, we'll take it to extra time, and we'll win in extra time," he said.

Another said he was "beyond excited" to see Auckland host the grand final.

"Auckland win, hands down ... I'm guessing 1-0 in 90, or it's gonna go to penalties."

A particularly dedicated fan said he had made the snap decision to travel up from Dunedin for the game.

"This morning I was on the plane bright and early."

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.

One told RNZ she and her family were incredibly excited for the match.

"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."

She said she was expecting her team to win 2-0.

"Sorry to disappoint the local fans."

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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