A-League Women On Saturday, April 25, 2026, McKellar Park in Canberra became the stage for a true celebration of women’s football. Melbourne Victory defeated Canberra United 3–1 in the Ninja A-League Women elimination final and secured a place in the semi finals. However, it wasn’t just the result that mattered that evening. The stands were filled with 3,290 fans, breaking the all time stadium attendance record and showcasing the immense strength of the local community at a crucial moment for the club’s future.
Match summary – efficiency versus fighting spirit until the end
Victory imposed their tempo from the opening minutes and quickly took the lead. Within just three minutes, the visitors scored twice: first Rachel Lowe opened the scoring, and moments later Ella O’Grady made it 2–0. The hosts refused to give up, and before halftime Sasha Grove scored a goal to pull one back, igniting the crowd and giving hope for a sensational comeback.
After the break, Canberra United pushed forward, but Victory maintained composure and tactical discipline. Ella O’Grady once again proved to be the key player and scored her second goal in the second half, sealing the result at 3–1. The young striker’s brace was crucial to the visitors’ success. Victory demonstrated experience and efficiency in decisive moments, while Canberra, despite tremendous support from the stands, was unable to turn the match around.
Historic attendance record – higher than the grand final 14 years ago
The biggest winner of the evening was the attendance. The 3,290 fans at McKellar Park set a new venue record, one that had stood for over 14 years.
For comparison:
The previous record: 2,512 spectators, set on January 28, 2012, during the W-League Grand Final, when Canberra United defeated Brisbane Roar to win the Australian championship.
Difference: as many as 778 more people than at that historic match – an increase of over 30%.
This season, Canberra United rarely exceeded 2,000 spectators. Typical attendance ranged between 700 and 1,400 fans, with the regular-season record standing at 2,229 (November 2023 vs Perth Glory).
The fact that an elimination play off match attracted more fans than a historic title winning game from 14 years ago is remarkable. Supporters turned out in large numbers not only for the sporting spectacle but also as a gesture of support for a club whose future in the A-League Women remains uncertain. Many treated this match as potentially one of the last in Canberra United’s history. The atmosphere was electric, the chanting never stopped, and McKellar Park came alive like never before.
The significance of the evening
For Melbourne Victory, this marks their seventh semi-final appearance in the last eight seasons, confirming the team’s consistency and high quality. They now face an exciting Melbourne derby against Melbourne City, with the two legged tie shaping up as one of the highlights of the season.
For Canberra United, the defeat is painful, but the record attendance offers a reason for pride. A crowd of 3,290 sends a powerful message to the league, sponsors, and decision makers. This community loves its club and wants to preserve it. Football was the true winner that evening, regardless of the final score.
McKellar Park has never sounded better. This match will be remembered for a long time in A-League Women history not only for the result but above all as proof of the incredible strength a local community can show in difficult times.
