The A-League Men grand final is coming to Auckland.

After thrashing Adelaide United 3-0 on Friday night to book their spot on the biggest stage in the competition, Auckland FC have secured hosting rights as the highest-ranked of the two teams to qualify.

They will host Sydney FC, who eliminated the Premiers Plate-winning Newcastle Jets in a penalty shootout away from home.

Auckland FC finished the regular season third, while Sydney FC were fifth on the ladder.

Just as it was in Auckland’s semi-final series with Adelaide, there was nothing to separate Sydney and Newcastle after the first leg of their semi-final home-and-away series.

And that proved to be the case throughout the contest.

The Jets, who made a slow start to the regular season before a rampant finish, needed a last-ditch equaliser from Eli Adams to force extra time. His strike five minutes into added time at the end of the second half cancelled out the 63rd-minute effort of Sydney’s Piero Quispe.

And with no one able to find a winner in 30 minutes of extra time, the side headed to the penalty spot to decide it.

Both goalkeepers started penalties in the best way, each saving the first attempt taken at them.

But when Harrison Devenish-Meares saved the shot of Xavier Bertoncello, Ben Garuccio stepped up to kick the Sky Blues into the big dance.

Speaking on the broadcast after slotting his penalty, Garuccio praised the fans of both sides before noting what his side would be in for in the grand final.

“The whole spectacle. Best fans in the league over there, but Newcastle as well. It was such an amazing atmosphere and this is the benchmark for Australian football,” he said.

“I’m sure next week’s going to be no different. Auckland’s had big crowds since they’ve come in. Now they finally get to the big dance, we’re back there, it’s going to be massive.”

Newcastle suffered the same fate as Auckland FC did last year, being eliminated in the semi-finals despite home-field advantage after being the top-ranked team in the regular season.

The grand final will be held at Go Media Stadium on Saturday May 23. Kick-off is at 8.10pm NZT.