Auckland FC’s Go Media Stadium and Perth Glory’s HBF Park have been voted by the players as the PFA A-League Men Stadiums of the Season for the second straight year.
Go Media Stadium and HBF Park received the highest average rating by the players for atmosphere and pitch quality, respectively.
Auckland’s home ground scored 4.4 (on a scale of 1-5) from the 13 games surveyed throughout the home and away season. In the Black Knights’ inaugural season, the atmosphere was rated 4.8 on the 1-5 scale.
“We’ve repeatedly said we’ve got the best fans in the league, and this award is proof of that,” Auckland FC striker and A-League Men Golden Boot winner Sam Cosgrove said.
“They turn out in numbers every weekend, create a huge amount of noise and spur us on. I’ll never forget the game against the Jets in the rain earlier in the season. I’ve never seen fans like that. That’s dedication.”
Perth Glory’s HBF Park received the best pitch quality on average for consecutive seasons, scoring 4.7 from the 12 games surveyed by the players. This score reflects a slight increase on last year’s average score of 4.4.
“We’re delighted to see the venue that we proudly call home recognised as the best in the country for pitch quality for a second consecutive season,” Perth Glory Chief Executive Officer Anthony Radich said.
“This honour is deserved recognition of the outstanding work of the HBF Park venue management and grounds team, whose dedication and attention to detail has set a benchmark for excellence across the industry.
“We are very grateful for their great care and professionalism and wish to congratulate all concerned”
A VenuesWest spokesperson added: “VenuesWest is thrilled that HBF Park has again been recognised by A‑League Men’s players for its outstanding pitch quality.
“These are professional athletes who demand the highest standards, and we are proud they see that reflected in the consistency and quality delivered by our team at HBF Park and our turf managers Green by Nature, particularly at a multi‑purpose venue that balances elite sport with a busy events calendar.”
Stadiums with capacities of 25,000 or less, typically referred to as ‘boutique venues’ scored well in the atmosphere stakes. These included the 17,000 capacity Adelaide’s Coopers Stadium (pitch: 4.4, atmosphere: 4.3), Sydney’s Leichhardt Oval (pitch 4.3, atmosphere 4.3), and Brisbane’s Kayo Stadum (pitch 4.3, atmosphere 4.3).
Melbourne’s AAMI Park also scored strongly receiving a 3.8 for pitch quality and an average of 3.5 for atmosphere across Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City matches.
Victory’s home games scored markedly stronger than City’s averaging 4.1 while City averaged 2.8.
Meanwhile, Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch also scored strongly in the one match played there in April, receiving 4.0 for both pitch quality and atmosphere. Brisbane Roar’s solitary game in the Sunshine Coast received a strong score for atmosphere of 4.0, but a slightly slower score for pitch quality with 3.0.
These contrast with the results of Roar’s main stadium, Suncorp, which had an average pitch quality rating of 2.8 across eight matches surveyed, and a 2.5 atmosphere rating. This was an improvement on the 1.8 atmosphere rating the previous season.
Other high-scoring venues this season included:
- Coopers Stadium, Adelaide – Pitch: 4.4 | Atmosphere: 4.3
- Leichhardt Oval, Sydney – Pitch 4.3 | Atmosphere: 4.3
- Kayo Stadium, Brisbane – Pitch 4.3 | Atmosphere: 4.3
- AAMI Park, Melbourne – Pitch 3.8 | Atmosphere 3.5 (Melbourne Victory home matches: 4.1 and Melbourne City home matches 2.8)
Standout one-match venues included:
- Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch – Pitch: 4.0 | Atmosphere: 4.0
- Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast – Pitch 3.0 | Atmosphere 4.0
About the PFA post-match surveys
Since 2009, the PFA has surveyed players after matches to assess the quality of the pitch and the match atmosphere. Throughout the season, the players rate A-League Men stadiums on key performance factors after every match.
Selected players assess every ground they play on across four criteria: surface quality, hardness, pace, and smoothness. The players also assess the atmosphere and any extreme weather impacts.
The survey has gradually expanded to cover more areas, including officiating and work workplace standards. The purpose of the surveys is to inform decision-making and improve the industry for players, clubs, and fans.
Image credit: Imago and Perth Glory
Full A-League Men Stadium Ratings:
Pitch quality:
| Venue | Pitch Quality Average | Games Surveyed |
| HBF Park | 4.7 | 12 |
| Coopers Stadium | 4.4 | 12 |
| Leichhardt Oval | 4.3 | 3 |
| Kayo Stadium | 4.3 | 3 |
| Apollo Projects Stadium | 4.0 | 1 |
| Campbelltown Sports Stadium | 4.0 | 12 |
| AAMI Park | 3.8 | 26 |
| polytec Stadium | 3.8 | 12 |
| Hnry Stadium | 3.7 | 11 |
| McDonald Jones Stadium | 3.6 | 11 |
| Go Media Stadium | 3.3 | 13 |
| CommBank Stadium | 3.2 | 10 |
| Sunshine Coast Stadium | 3.0 | 1 |
| Suncorp Stadium | 2.8 | 8 |
| Allianz Stadium | 2.8 | 9 |
Atmosphere:
| Venue | Atmosphere Average | Games Surveyed |
| Go Media Stadium | 4.4 | 13 |
| Leichhardt Oval | 4.3 | 3 |
| Coopers Stadium | 4.3 | 12 |
| AAMI Park – MVC | 4.1 | 13 |
| Apollo Projects Stadium | 4.0 | 1 |
| Sunshine Coast Stadium | 4.0 | 1 |
| Kayo Stadium | 3.7 | 3 |
| Allianz Stadium | 3.6 | 9 |
| McDonald Jones Stadium | 3.5 | 11 |
| HBF Park | 3.5 | 12 |
| CommBank Stadium | 3.4 | 10 |
| AAMI Park – MCY | 2.8 | 13 |
| Hnry Stadium | 2.7 | 11 |
| polytec Stadium | 2.6 | 12 |
| Suncorp Stadium | 2.5 | 8 |
| Campbelltown Sports Stadium | 1.5 | 12 |
