The 2016 A-League grand final looms as the most profitable in history for Football Federation Australia but the governing body has ruled out awarding any prize money to the champion this season.

Fairfax Media understands the FFA will receive a gross profit of up to $3 million if all tickets to Sunday's final at Adelaide Oval are sold but the winning club won't receive a cut until a new TV deal.

A higher capacity than many recent grand final venues, lower hiring fee than Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium and incredible demand for tickets is making this year's decider a considerable cash cow for the FFA. Tickets went on sale to the general public at 11.30am on Tuesday and by the close of business more than 40,000 tickets to the 53,000 capacity stadium were purchased.

Staff, leasing, transport, security and accommodation costs mean the final figure will be lower than $3 million, but sources suggest the FFA will still walk away with a total profit well in excess of $1 million.