The match was contested by the two winning finals series semi-finalists, Adelaide United and Western Sydney Wanderers who finished the 2015–16 A-League season in first and second position respectively.

Wanderers lost consecutive grand finals in 2013 and 2014, against Central Coast Mariners 2–0 and Brisbane Roar 2–1 in extra time.

[4] In the second semi-final match Western Sydney Wanderers hosted Brisbane Roar at Parramatta Stadium in front of a sold-out crowd of 20,084.

Brisbane started the game strongly by racing to a 3–0 lead inside 23 minutes via a Dimitri Petratos penalty, an Andreu Guerao own goal and a Jamie Maclaren strike.

The deadlock broke in the 102nd minute with substitute Dario Vidosic netting in the decisive goal to send Wanderers to a third Grand Final in four years.

Virgin Australia had put on four extra flights, with the cheapest economy ticket from Sydney to Adelaide on the Saturday before the Grand Final costing $445 one-way.

Isaías doubled the lead for the home side 12 minutes later when he curled a free kick into the top corner past Wanderers keeper Andrew Redmayne.

Adelaide thought they had restored a two-goal lead with just over 20 minutes to go, but when the ball was poked home from inside the box, it was ruled out for offside.

As the game moved into the final minutes, Adelaide made sure of their title, as Pablo Sanchez burst into the penalty area and fired a shot across Redmayne into the corner of the net for 3–1.

[13] Joe Marston Medal: Isaías (Adelaide United) Assistant referees: Matthew Cream Luke Brennan Fourth official: Paul Cetrangolo Additional assistant referees: Strebre Delovski Chris Beath Match rules As with the previous season, the 2016 A-League Grand Final was broadcast in Australia on Foxtel and on free-to-air TV, with SBS showing the game on a one-hour delay.