2026 New Balance Dockerty Cup Final

Get Your New Balance Dockerty Cup Tickets Now! Witness Heidelberg United FC taking on Preston Lions FC at Lakeside Stadium!

Heidelberg United and Preston Lions reach the New Balance Dockerty Cup Final and will battle it out for the Cup on Saturday, 8 August. Kick off 2:30PM.

The day includes access to the Cecil Earley Plate Final match between Williamstown SC and Altona East SC at 6:00PM. Fans attending this match can select a Heidelberg or Preston Fan ticket in the section they would prefer.

The event will be held at Lakeside Stadium, 33 Aughtie Dr, Albert Park.

Gates will open at 1:00PM for the New Balance Dockerty Cup Final kick-off at 2:30PM.

Secure your tickets for the 2026 New Balance Dockerty Cup Final between Heidelberg and Preston today!

PLEASE NOTE: You must pre-purchase your tickets for this event online. No tickets are available for sale at the gate.

We encourage you to purchase your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Match Details

• Saturday, 8 August 2026
• Lakeside Stadium
• Gates Open 1:00PM
• Dockerty Cup Final - Kick-Off 2:30PM
• Cecil Earley Plate - Kick-Off: 6:00PM

Tickets

• General Admission - Adults: $30
• General Admission - Junior (13 - 17 years): $20
• General Admission - Concession: $20
• General Admission - 12 & Under: FREE

12 & under tickets must be bought with an accompanied adult ticket. 2 x free 12 & under tickets can be redeemed per adult ticket purchased.

To book an Accessible Seat, purchase a general admission ticket and email us at: info@footballvictoria.com.au to let us know you're coming and to receive a free companion seat.

For any general enquires email: info@footballvictoria.com.au

What to expect

Gates will open at 1:00PM, 90 minutes prior to the New Balance Dockerty Cup Final kick-off at 2:30PM.

Due to increased security measures on the day, please allow additional time for entry into the venue. There will be delays

Expect bag searches and security wanding upon entry. Face coverings are not permitted and hoods must be removed upon entry.

Only official club flags and Football Victoria approved banners are allowed.

NO pyrotechnics, flares or smoke bombs.

Please note: There will be no pass outs available for both the New Balance Dockerty Cup Final and Cecil Earley Plate Final.

Lakeside Stadium is a Smoke-Free venue.

Designated areas are assigned for each team's supporters at Lakeside Stadium

Heidelberg United fan ticket holders are to enter via Gate 2, next to the allocated South Grandstand side.

Preston Lions fan ticket holders are to enter via Gate 1, next to the allocated North Grandstand side.

The day includes access to the Cecil Earley Plate Final match between Williamstown SC and Altona East SC at 6:00PM.

A ticket purchase grants access to both games - Fans attending the Cecil Earley Plate Final can select the seating section they would prefer. Select a Heidelberg Fan ticket for the Southern Grandstand and a Preston Fan ticket for the Northern Grandstand.

Getting to the event

Public Transport

There are two convenient tram routes which drop you at the front of the Lakeside Stadium. Route 96 (East Brunswick to St Kilda Beach) - Stop 129. Route 12 (City to South Melbourne/St Kilda) - Stop 131.

Parking

Parking at Lakeside Stadium is owned and operated by Parks Victoria. There is a total of 418 parking bays in the Lakeside car park including 10 accessible car parks.

History

All roads lead to Lakeside Stadium as the final of the 2026 New Balance Dockerty Cup welcomes two of Victoria’s iconic clubs as they lock horns in what promises to deliver a thrilling encounter.

Heidelberg United FC

Reigning NPLM Champions Heidelberg United will be aiming to win just a second Dockerty Cup in their seventh final, their sole triumph coming in a penalty shootout triumph against Bentleigh Greens, then coached by John Anastasiadis, who is now at the helm at Olympic Villages. They will be hoping to overturn losses to Bentleigh Greens (2018), Oakleigh Cannons (2023) and South Melbourne (2025) to claim Victoria’s most coveted Cup trophy.

Preston Lions FC

Preston Lions will play in their fourth final and first since 1992, where they took home the silverware after an epic penalty shootout victory against South Melbourne. Their appearance in this year’s decider caps off a meteoric rise through the league hierarchy, restoring top-flight status after three promotions in four seasons. The Lions under Zoran Markovski are a worthy match for the trophy-hunting Bergers.

This will be the 70th encounter between both clubs, and their fifth in Dockerty Cup history, with both sides splitting their previous encounters with two wins a-piece. Which club will win their second Dockerty Cup and land the first major piece of silverware for 2026? Find out. Buy your tickets now!