Adelaide City and Adelaide United set for final pre-season hit-out

Adelaide City will complete preparations for the 2026 Australian Championship with a competitive trial match against Adelaide United at Adelaide City Park on Thursday night.

The fixture will also serve as Adelaide United’s final hit-out before the start of its 2026/27 A-League Men campaign, giving South Australian football fans the opportunity to see both clubs go head-to-head before they embark on their respective national competitions.

Adelaide United has already used recent fixtures against Perth Glory as part of its build-up to the new A-League season.

For Adelaide City, Thursday night represents one final opportunity to sharpen combinations and build match fitness ahead of its Australian Championship opener against Avondale on Friday, 16 October 2026.

While City regularly faces the Adelaide United Youth Team during the NPL season, senior meetings between the two clubs have been far less common.

The first came in 2014, when the two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Marden Sports Complex. Marcelo Carrusca opened the scoring for United before Thomas Love equalised for City in the second half.

Three years later, Adelaide United edged City 1-0 in another pre-season meeting, with Mark Ochieng scoring the only goal at Marden Sports Complex.

United then recorded a 6-0 friendly win at Taperoo Reserve in 2019, with goals from Michaël Maria, Riley McGree, Ben Halloran, Louis D’Arrigo and Nikola Mileusnić, along with an own goal.

The most significant meeting between the clubs came in the 2022 Australia Cup Round of 16, the first competitive senior fixture between Adelaide City and Adelaide United.

In a dramatic contest at ServiceFM Stadium, City twice came from behind through Zak Waters and Matthew Dawber to force penalties after the match finished 2-2 following extra time. United eventually prevailed 4-1 in the shootout to progress to the quarter-finals.

That match also highlighted the strong connection between the two clubs, with several players and coaches having represented both Adelaide City and Adelaide United over the years.

Thursday night will provide another rare senior meeting between two important South Australian clubs and a final competitive test before both turn their attention to the national stage.

Malual Nichola is also set to feature for Adelaide City against his parent club as part of the Black and Whites’ Australian Championship preparations.

There will be several other familiar connections across both squads, with a number of current Adelaide City players having previously represented Adelaide United at either A-League or Youth Team level.

For the Reds, Fabian Talladira will also return to Oakden, having spent the majority of his junior career at Adelaide City before progressing through to Adelaide United.

Match Details

Thursday, 8 October 2026

Adelaide City v Adelaide United

Kick-off: 7:00pm

Gates open: 6:00pm

Adelaide City Park

Free Entry