The Wellington Phoenix have confirmed they'll be bringing the A-league back to Auckland this year.
The side with host Melbourne City at Auckland's QBE Stadium on April 14 in their round-27 A-league clash.
Negotiations with Football Federation Australia (FFA) had been ongoing for some time but the governing body has given the green light for a second Auckland-based fixture ending speculation as to where Phoenix would take its final home game for their current campaign.
"Each season at the Phoenix we undergo a delicate balancing act," general manager David Dome said.
"Our fans, predominantly Wellington-based, want to see the club at Westpac Stadium as much as they can – but we get applications from around New Zealand, from fan groups, from councils to see the Nix come play in their home city."
"Football around New Zealand is a code that continues to grow, so we're delighted to be able to satisfy our northern fanbase by bringing the Nix to town so young kids can see their heroes in the flesh."
"Regional fans have in the past really embraced us when we travel – we've had twenty thousand come out in Christchurch and Auckland in the past, so it's important for us to continue to connect with important strategic markets around New Zealand."
"We remain, however, the Wellington Phoenix – the club has taken great strides to reiterate that this season, and we remain committed to New Zealand's capital of football, while also meeting our key commercial and corporate obligations."
After 18 matches, the Wellington side were struggling at the foot of the A-League ladder, eight points outside the top-six.
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