Your comprehensive guide to AFC Ajax Amsterdam - everything you need to know about the club, its rivals, current standings, upcoming fixtures, and answers to frequently asked questions.
AFC Ajax (pronounced "eye-yaks") is a professional football club based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and is one of the most historically successful and influential football clubs in the world.
Ajax is world-renowned for its commitment to youth development through its academy "De Toekomst" (The Future) and its distinctive attacking style of play based on "Total Football" - a tactical philosophy where any outfield player can take over the role of any other player during a match.
The club has a unique status in football as a talent factory, having produced numerous world-class players who have gone on to star at Europe's biggest clubs. Ajax's influence extends far beyond Dutch football, with its tactical approach and youth development model copied by clubs worldwide.
Ajax regularly competes at the top of the Eredivisie table and in European competitions. Check the current standings and season information below.
Ajax has historically been one of the dominant forces in the Eredivisie, regularly competing for the championship. The club's position in the current standings varies throughout the season.
For the most up-to-date Eredivisie standings and Ajax's current position in the league table, we recommend checking:
Ajax's position in the Eredivisie is crucial for qualification to European competitions for the following season:
Ajax regularly participates in European competitions, most notably:
Ajax's participation in these competitions depends on their performance in the previous season's Eredivisie. As one of the most successful clubs in European football history, Ajax has a rich tradition in continental competitions.
For current European competition standings and fixtures involving Ajax, check the official UEFA website or Ajax's official club website.
The Ajax fixture list includes matches in multiple competitions:
Key fixtures that Ajax fans look forward to each season include:
For the most up-to-date schedule of upcoming Ajax matches, visit the official Ajax website or major sports news platforms.
Ajax has several intense rivalries that define Dutch football, with matches against these opponents often being decisive for championships and generating immense passion among supporters.
The rivalry between Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord Rotterdam is the fiercest and most historically significant in Dutch football. Known as "De Klassieker" (The Classic), this rivalry represents much more than football – it embodies the cultural and socioeconomic contrast between Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
The rivalry intensified in the late 1960s and early 1970s when both clubs were at their European peaks. Ajax, led by Johan Cruyff, won three consecutive European Cups (1971-1973), while Feyenoord had won the European Cup in 1970 and the UEFA Cup in 1974.
Both Ajax and Feyenoord field their strongest possible lineups for these crucial matches. Lineups vary by season based on squad composition, but these matches often feature:
For specific lineups from recent Ajax vs Feyenoord matches, check sports news archives or the official club websites.
The rivalry between Ajax Amsterdam and PSV Eindhoven is often referred to as "De Topper" and represents a battle between the two most successful clubs in Dutch football history. While lacking the cultural and historical intensity of the Ajax-Feyenoord rivalry, Ajax-PSV matches are frequently decisive in determining the Eredivisie champion.
This rivalry gained prominence in the 1970s and 1980s when both clubs dominated Dutch football and experienced European success. The competition intensified in the 1990s and 2000s as the two clubs regularly battled for the Eredivisie title, with players often transferring between the teams.
Matches between Ajax and PSV are often characterized by:
Both clubs usually field their strongest squads for these crucial encounters. The lineups represent the best of Dutch football talent combined with international stars. For the most recent Ajax vs PSV lineups, check sports news platforms or the official club websites before each fixture.
Beyond the iconic matchups with Feyenoord and PSV, Ajax has several other notable rivalries that contribute to the club's rich history and competitive spirit.
The rivalry with FC Utrecht has grown in intensity since the 1970s. Utrecht fans consider Ajax their main rival due to the contrast between Amsterdam's metropolitan status and Utrecht's more provincial identity. Matches are often characterized by intense atmospheres and strong challenges.
The rivalry between Ajax and ADO Den Haag has historical roots and is known for its hostile atmosphere. The antagonism stems from the contrast between the capital city of Amsterdam and the administrative center of The Hague. Due to security concerns, away fans were banned from these matches for several years.
During FC Twente's rise to prominence in the late 2000s and early 2010s (culminating in their 2010 Eredivisie title), a competitive rivalry developed with Ajax. Though less historical than other rivalries, fixtures between these teams gained importance as they competed for league titles.
Ajax has developed several notable European rivalries through repeated encounters in continental competitions:
The name "Ajax" comes from Greek mythology. Ajax (or Aias) the Great was a legendary hero in Greek mythology who fought in the Trojan War. He was known for his exceptional strength, courage, and the huge shield he carried into battle. The football club was named after this mythological hero to represent strength, bravery, and excellence.
The club's full name is "Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax," which identifies its home city of Amsterdam. In official documentation, the club is often referred to as AFC Ajax.
The pronunciation of "Ajax" in Dutch is different from English – it's typically pronounced "eye-yaks" rather than "ay-jacks."
The current Ajax logo features the silhouette of the Greek hero Ajax. The logo was redesigned in 1990 to its current form with 11 lines representing the 11 players on a football team. The club's colors of red and white are prominently featured.
Ajax's traditional home jersey features a red vertical stripe down the center of a white background. This distinctive design is one of the most recognizable in world football and has remained relatively consistent throughout the club's history. The away and third kits vary by season.
Ajax jerseys are highly sought-after by football fans worldwide due to their clean design and the club's prestigious history.
Ajax's mascot is "Lucky Lynx," a character introduced to appeal to younger fans. The lynx was chosen as it represents speed, agility, and sharpness - qualities valued in Ajax's playing style.
The three stars above the Ajax logo represent the club winning more than 30 league titles (one star for every 10 championships). Ajax was the first Dutch club to earn three stars, reflecting their dominance in Dutch football.
Due to the shared name, there are often misconceptions and confusion around the term "Ajax." Here we clarify some common points of confusion.
The Myth: Ajax was a legendary Greek hero who fought in the Trojan War, known for his immense strength and courage. In Homer's Iliad, Ajax is described as the second-greatest Greek warrior after Achilles.
The Modern Club: AFC Ajax was founded in 1900 in Amsterdam and named after the Greek hero to symbolize strength and greatness. While the club takes its name from mythology, there is no direct connection between ancient Greece and the football team beyond the inspiring qualities of its namesake.
Common Confusion: "Ajax" is also a well-known brand of cleaning products, including dish soap, surface cleaners, and other household cleaning items.
The Reality: There is absolutely no connection between Ajax Amsterdam football club and Ajax cleaning products. The cleaning brand was established in 1947 by the Colgate-Palmolive Company and happens to share the name, which also derives from the Greek mythological figure due to its connotations of strength and effectiveness.
Marvel Comics: Ajax is a character who appears in Marvel Comics, most notably as an antagonist in Deadpool comics and the 2016 Deadpool movie. This character has no connection to the football club.
Ajax Deadpool: In the Deadpool movie, Ajax (Francis Freeman) is the main villain who gives Wade Wilson his superpowers but also disfigures him, leading to Wilson becoming Deadpool and seeking revenge.
The Distinction: Despite sharing the same name, these fictional characters have no relationship with the football club - they are completely separate entities that happen to reference the same Greek mythological figure.
Technical Term: In web development, "AJAX" stands for "Asynchronous JavaScript and XML," a set of web development techniques that allows web applications to send and retrieve data from a server asynchronously without interfering with the display of the existing page.
The Distinction: The acronym AJAX in programming is completely unrelated to Ajax Amsterdam football club. The programming technique was named in 2005, long after the football club was established in 1900.
AFC Ajax (Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax) is a professional football club based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Founded in 1900, it is one of the most successful and historically significant football clubs in the world. Ajax is known for its youth development academy "De Toekomst," its attacking style of play based on the "Total Football" philosophy, and its significant contribution to Dutch and international football.
The name "Ajax" comes from Greek mythology. Ajax (or Aias) was a legendary Greek hero who fought in the Trojan War and was known for his strength, courage, and fighting prowess. The club was named after this mythological figure to embody these heroic qualities. The abbreviation "AFC" in AFC Ajax stands for "Amsterdamsche Football Club" (Amsterdam Football Club).
Ajax's main rivalries are:
Ajax's current position in the Eredivisie standings can be checked on:
These sources provide real-time updates on standings, results, and upcoming fixtures.
Ajax typically plays each team in the Eredivisie twice per season - once at home and once away. Therefore, Ajax usually faces both Feyenoord and PSV twice each season in league competition. Additional matches may occur in cup competitions or European tournaments.
The Eredivisie schedule is released before each season starts, usually in June or July. For the most up-to-date fixture information, check Ajax's official website or the Eredivisie website.
These high-profile matches, especially Ajax vs. Feyenoord (De Klassieker), are often scheduled with security considerations in mind and may be designated as "high-risk" fixtures with special arrangements.
Ajax is famous for its distinctive playing style based on the principles of "Total Football" - a tactical theory developed in the 1970s where any outfield player can take over the role of any other player in the team. Key elements of Ajax's playing style include:
This philosophy has evolved over time but remains core to Ajax's identity as a club.
Ajax jerseys can be purchased from multiple sources:
For authentic jerseys with official licensing, it's recommended to purchase from official sources. New home, away, and third kits are typically released at the beginning of each season (usually summer).
This question refers to Ajax the Great from Greek mythology, not the football club. According to Greek mythology, Ajax the Great committed suicide after losing a contest with Odysseus for the armor of the fallen warrior Achilles. In his shame and anger at not receiving the armor (which he felt he deserved), Ajax went mad and slaughtered a flock of sheep, believing them to be Greek leaders who had wronged him. When he realized what he had done, he was overcome with shame and fell on his sword.
This mythological story has no connection to the football club beyond the shared name.
This question refers to the fictional character Ajax from Marvel Comics and the 2016 Deadpool movie, not the football club. In Marvel Comics and the Deadpool film, Ajax (real name Francis Freeman) is a villain with enhanced strength, reflexes, and an immunity to pain. He is the primary antagonist in the first Deadpool movie, portrayed by actor Ed Skrein.
In the film, Ajax is the scientist who gives Wade Wilson (Deadpool) his healing abilities through torturous experiments, but also disfigures him in the process. Deadpool spends much of the movie hunting Ajax for revenge.
This fictional character has no connection to AFC Ajax football club.
Ajax Cleaner is a brand of cleaning products manufactured by Colgate-Palmolive, including dish soap, surface cleaners, and scouring powders. It was first introduced in 1947 and is a popular household cleaning brand in many countries.
The cleaning product brand has no connection to AFC Ajax football club - they simply share the same name, which is derived from the Greek mythological hero Ajax. The cleaning brand likely chose the name to evoke connotations of strength and effectiveness in cleaning.
