The NSW government has announced Darling Harbour will host Sydney's live site for the public to watch the Socceroos' FIFA World Cup knockout round match against Argentina this weekend.
There were wild scenes at Melbourne's Federation Square last night as thousands celebrated Australia's victory over Denmark.
Federation Square has hosted live sites for all three of the Socceroos' group matches.
NSW pubs and clubs were able to stay open late to screen the last game, but Sydney football fans had no public place to watch.
Hundreds celebrated Australia's victory in George Street outside a sports bar that screened the game, but many fans stayed home.
This afternoon, the government said Tumbalong Park at Darling Harbour would be the venue for Australia's round of 16 clash, to kick-off at 6am on Sunday.
The site, which will open at 5:30am, will be alcohol-free and free to enter.
Retailers around Darling Harbour are being encouraged to open early to cater for fans.
In a show of support, the Sydney Opera House sails will also be lit up green and gold from 8pm on Saturday night until dawn.
Public transport will be free Sydney-wide from 4am to 12pm on Sunday to help fans get to live sites.
"On Sunday morning Sydney football fans can watch the game together and cheer on the team as they push to make history and earn a spot in the quarter-finals," Premier Dominic Perrottet said.
Matthew Leckie's historic winner against Denmark this morning sparked a scramble to find a viewing site in the Harbour City, as Australia prepares for its first knockout round appearance since 2006.
There had been criticism among fans for the country's biggest city not having a public place for Aussie fans to gather during the World Cup.
Liverpool City Council's Mayor Ned Mannoun has also arranged for the big match to be broadcast live from the heart of the Liverpool CBD at Macquarie Mall from 5am.
Earlier today, Mr Perrottet had committed to organising a site for the next game against Argentina on Sunday morning.
"We're going to have a great live site," he said.
"It's going to be the best in the country because it's the best city in the world."
Mr Perrottet did not watch the game, which kicked off at 2am, but said it was a "phenomenal result" for the Socceroos to make it to the round of 16.
"The inspiration that will provide young boys and girls right across NSW is going to be phenomenal," he said.
"I want everyone in the city and across the state to come out and enjoy that and we'll be doing everything we can to do that."
Opera House unavailable
Opposition Leader Chris Minns called for big screens to be set up outside the Opera House and at other key locations.
"The Socceroos' historic performance at the World Cup has brought our country and state together," he tweeted.
"It's only right that everyone in our state gets to celebrate together too."
But an Opera House spokesperson said the forecourt would be "in use" on Sunday morning and was unavailable.
Football fan Luke Di Stefano launched a petition on Sunday for a live site to be set up for Australia's World Cup games.
He said it was an "unbelievable" feeling watching the game against Denmark at Cheers sports bar in George Street, but said there was no comparison with Federation Square.
"The amount of joy I had in a pub, imagine that times 100," he said.
Mr Di Stefano said going to the pub was not for everyone and a public site would allow more teenagers and families to get involved.
He said an alternative to the Opera House should be found quickly.
"It just needs to be something," he said.
Sydney 'out of practice'
Inner West Council will erect a big screen at Enmore Park for Sunday's game after supporting a live site at Summer Hill for Saturday's match against Tunisia.
More than 500 people gathered in the inner-west suburb's main square for the 9pm game, but decided not to show the Socceroos play Denmark because of the unsociable hour.
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said the difference between Sydney and Melbourne had been stark during the World Cup.
"It's time that Sydneysiders were able to enjoy the atmosphere of a public celebration and public live screening of what will be the biggest game in Australian football for many years," Mr Byrne said.
"I do think that the lockout laws and the message that has been sent by the NSW government over 10 years that people don't have fun here after dark has gotten us out of the practice of bringing the public together in the public domain for big international events like the World Cup. So everyone is welcome at Enmore Park this Sunday at 6am."
Former Socceroos captain Craig Foster told ABC Radio Sydney the scenes in Melbourne showed the passion for football in Australia and called for public viewing sites to be set up in other cities.
"Every capital city has to have something because we'll have tens of thousands of people come out for this game … and this team can actually get through," he said.
"This journey is not ending here."
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas announced a live site would be established at a plaza at the Adelaide Oval, which has two large screens.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner tweeted that his council was talking to SBS about plans to show the match against Argentina in King George Square and Queen Street Mall.
Perth fans will be able to watch the game, kicking off at 3am AWST, at Northbridge Piazza.
