AZ

AZ – Club History

AZ Alkmaar, commonly known simply as AZ, was founded in 1967 in Alkmaar, a historic North Holland city famous for its cheese market and its fiercely independent character. The club was born from the merger of FC Alkmaar and Zaanlandse Voetbal Club — giving rise to the AZ abbreviation that defines the club to this day — and from the start benefited from the financial backing and ambition of local businessman Kees Ploegsma and later the influential Molenaar family. AZ's rise from a provincial club to one of Dutch football's genuine powers is one of the most compelling stories in the history of the Eredivisie.

AZ play in their characteristic red and white shirts and have built a reputation as one of the most progressive, analytically driven clubs in European football. Their partnership with the city of Alkmaar is close-knit, but the club has always demonstrated ambitions that stretch far beyond the provincial. With a world-class training facility, a commitment to youth development, and a willingness to adopt modern football philosophies under visionary coaches, AZ have repeatedly punched above their weight both domestically and in Europe. The club's consistency in the upper reaches of the Eredivisie and their regular European campaigns make them one of the most respected medium-sized clubs in continental football.

Eredivisie Era & Titles

AZ have won the Eredivisie title twice — in 1980–81 and 2008–09 — with both triumphs coming as genuine surprises that underscored the club's ability to compete with the Dutch football establishment. Their 1981 title, won under coach Hans Eijkenbroek with a squad built by the vision of club director Kees Ploegsma, came at a time when Ajax and PSV were considered untouchable. Their 2009 title, won under coach Ronald Koeman, was even more remarkable — AZ won the championship convincingly and would likely have competed in the Champions League the following season had the 2009–10 campaign not been dramatically cut short when the club's AFAS Stadion roof partially collapsed due to extreme weather.

Beyond their two league titles, AZ won the KNVB Cup in 1978 and again in 1981 and 1982, establishing themselves as one of the most successful cup clubs of that era. In European competition, AZ have reached the UEFA Cup semi-finals (1981), the UEFA Europa League semi-finals (2004–05 season, under Louis van Gaal), and have regularly participated in the group stages of European competition. Their 2004–05 UEFA Cup run, which included eliminating Villarreal and Sporting CP before losing to Sporting Lisbon in the last four, remains one of the most celebrated European campaigns by a Dutch club in the modern era.

Stadium

AZ play their home matches at the AFAS Stadion in Alkmaar, a modern, purpose-built arena with a capacity of approximately 17,000 spectators. Opened in 2006, the AFAS Stadion replaced the club's previous ground and was designed to provide an intimate, high-quality experience for supporters. The stadium famously suffered a partial roof collapse in 2019 when the stands were empty, forcing a temporary move to other grounds while repairs were carried out. Since its reopening, the AFAS Stadion has continued to be regarded as one of the finer provincial football grounds in the Netherlands, with excellent facilities and a tight, atmospheric bowl design.

Most Famous Players

AZ's history is peppered with outstanding players who became respected figures both in the Netherlands and abroad. Jan Peters and Pier Tol were key figures in the 1980–81 title-winning side. Louis van Gaal, before becoming one of the world's most famous coaches, spent time at AZ as a player and later returned to bring remarkable success as a manager. In the 2008–09 title-winning campaign, Moussa Dembélé (the Belgian, not to be confused with the Frenchman), Mounir El Hamdaoui, and Régis Gnagnon were central figures. More recently, Myron Boadu — a highly rated young striker who joined Monaco — emerged through the AZ academy. Oussama Idrissi, Calvin Stengs, and Owen Wijndal are among the modern-generation AZ players who attracted attention from Europe's bigger clubs after impressive Eredivisie performances.

Key Milestones

1967 – AZ Alkmaar founded through the merger of FC Alkmaar and ZVC. 1978 – First KNVB Cup won. 1981 – Eredivisie title won for the first time, alongside second KNVB Cup victory. 1982 – Third KNVB Cup won in consecutive years. 1981 – UEFA Cup semi-final reached. 2004–05 – UEFA Cup semi-final reached under Louis van Gaal. 2006 – AFAS Stadion opens as the club's new modern home. 2009 – Second Eredivisie title won under Ronald Koeman — a remarkable achievement for a provincial club. 2019 – AFAS Stadion suffers partial roof collapse; stadium repaired and reopened. 2023 – AZ reach the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-finals, continuing their European pedigree. AZ remain one of the most respected and analytically progressive clubs in Dutch and European football.