Kobie Dee is the headline performer for the Isuzu UTE A-League 2026 Grand Final, Australia and New Zealand’s premier soccer league.
When the Sydney artist from Bidjigal Land Maroubra takes his spot during the weekend of May 23/24, it’ll mark his first time performing at a major national sporting event.
Dee is tapped for the big show just days after the release of his new single “Aim For The Stars” (via Bad Apples Music/Island Records Australia), an energetic, anthemic track that was selected as the official sync for the competition’s Finals campaign, the ad for which is currently streaming on Paramount+.
“I want people to hear this song and feel like no dream is too big,” Kobie explains in a statement. “Especially young people coming from the same streets I started in. I want them to believe that they can see themselves in these spaces too. For me, ‘Aiming For The Stars’ means taking Maroubra to the world, not leaving it and just telling stories about it.”
“Aim For The Stars” was written with producer NERVE and collaborators WYES, GENE and SMAK. “When NERVE started the beat, Kobie continues, “I just went straight in with the lyrics. It was one of those moments where everything flowed and I was able to get everything off my mind.” “We dominate in sport,” he adds, “but we’re also incredibly creative. There’s so much talent in our communities that could have gone into music or sport.”
Kobie enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2025, when he was nominated for the inaugural NSW Music Prize (for “Chapter 26”); performed on stage at the ARIA Awards with Young Franco, Baker Boy, Anna Ryan and Touch Sensitive; and founded Twenny47 Studios, a creative space in the heart of his community dedicated to supporting and mentoring emerging First Nations artists.
The rising hip-hop artist’s career streams top 80 million, he has landed slots at such festivals as Splendour in the Grass, Listen Out, and Spilt Milk, and collaborated with such brands as Lacoste and GQ.
The location of the A-League final is still to be decided. Tickets will be available from 4pm AEST next Monday, May 18. The official music video for “Aim For The Stars” will drop later this month.
