[21][22][23] Both the Mariners and Adelaide United made their best-placed league finishes in under a decade, with the former earning continental qualification to the AFC Cup for the first time since the 2013–14 campaign.

Mathew Leckie opened the score early in the first half for City, before Adam Le Fondre equalised from a retaken penalty, initially taken by Anthony Caceres and intervened through VAR.

[1] The leg ended in a 4–0 win for Melbourne City, adding towards a 5–1 aggregate and allowing them through to their fourth consecutive Grand Final.

Curtis Good, Marco Tilio and Richard van der Venne scored a goal each, extended by an own-goal from Sydney's Jack Rodwell.

Earning a bye past the first week, they matched up against Adelaide United, who had beaten Wellington Phoenix 2–0 in the elimination finals.

Despite a 4th-minute penalty conversion from Craig Goodwin, Central Coast Mariners dominated the first half, coming back to win 2–1 with first-half goals from James McGarry and Jason Cummings.

In December 2022, The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) announced that the 2023, 2024, and 2025 A-League Men Grand Finals would be hosted in Sydney regardless of which two teams qualified.

This was to replicate a tradition similar to the English FA Cup and Coupe de France, where they play in a fixed venue at the final stage of the competition.

[32][33] The decision was heavily criticised by supporters of non-Sydney based clubs, leading to major events, including the elimination and semi-finals rounds, to be boycotted by home and away crowds.

[34][35][36][37] The Grand Final was broadcast live and free on Network 10 in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, 10 Bold in Perth, and streamed on Paramount+ and 10Play.

[38] As part of the Grand Final, travelling packages were offered for City fans, with discounts given by Qantas and the A-League's official partners.

[43][44] The event took place from 2:30 to 10:00 p.m. which featured live music, street food, freestyle football and kids entertainment, with both Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne City players present for fans to meet during the festival.

[50] Anton Shchetinin and Ashley Beecham were named as the assistant referees, with Adam Kersey and Brad Wright appointed as the fourth and fifth officials respectively.

[53] Rado Vidošić confirmed two changes in his Grand Final squad, with Raphael Borges Rodrigues and Jordon Hall being promoted.