With the start of the Ajax youth league just around the corner, we meet a familiar face on the touchline at sports complex De Toekomst: brand-new Ajax U17 coach Stan Bijl. Now thirty, he is about to begin his ninth season as a youth coach in Amsterdam. “I’ve already been here for nineteen years."
Since Thursday, Ajax know who their opponents will be in the League Phase of the UEFA Champions League. At the draw in Monaco, which was partly conducted by former Ajax player Zlatan Ibrahimović, the Amsterdam club were paired with: Inter, Chelsea, Benfica, Villarreal CF, Olympiakos, Olympique Marseille, Galatasaray and FK Qarabağ. Who are the opponents, and do the clubs share a history? Here you can read more about our opponents.
Shortly after the UEFA Champions League draw was completed, we gathered an initial reaction from Ajax captain Davy Klaassen. On Thursday evening, the Amsterdammers were paired with Inter, Chelsea, Benfica, Villarreal CF, Olympiakos, Olympique Marseille, Galatasaray and FK Qarabağ in the League Phase.
The eight opponents of the League Phase of the UEFA Champions League have been announced. The draw on Thursday evening paired the Amsterdam-based team with Inter, Chelsea, Benfica, Villarreal CF, Olympiakos, Olympique Marseille, Galatasaray and FK Qarabağ. More details on the fixture list and ticket sales will follow.
At sports complex De Toekomst, the men of coach John Heitinga trained on Thursday afternoon. The focus is on league match number four: FC Volendam – Ajax.
It won’t be long before the UEFA Champions League anthem rings out again at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, with the flags waving high to the sounds of André Rieu. Europe's biggest club competition is returning to Amsterdam. On Thursday evening, the draw will take place in Monaco, and we will find out who Ajax's opponents will be in the League Phase. Because Ajax and the Champions League – that's a treasure chest full of wonderful memories.
Ajax and Jinairo Johnson have reached an agreement on a new contract. The 18-year-old defender’s new deal runs until June 30, 2028. His previous contract was set to expire in mid-2026.
Today, Ajax and Beko officially launched a strategic three-year partnership. Beko, Europe's number one home appliances company, becomes the club's Official Confidence Partner. Beko and Ajax will work together to create inspiring content, activations, and community initiatives focused on building confidence, from the home to the football field. It will also be activated across both brands’ digital channels, stadium presence, and grassroots programmes. Beko's partnership with Ajax also reflects its deepening commitment to the Amsterdam and the Netherlands region, and to communities that share its belief in sustainable living.
Jorrel Hato was back in Amsterdam on Sunday and briefly back at Ajax. The nineteen-year-old defender, who moved to Chelsea last month, said his goodbyes to the fans and his former teammates ahead of the home match against Heracles. We looked back with Hato one more time on his time at Ajax.
Ajax have also turned their second home match of the season into a win. The Amsterdammers beat Heracles 2-0. Steven Berghuis scored after just over half an hour of play, after which Wout Weghorst decided the match deep in the second half, bringing the same scoreline to the board as against Telstar.
Ajax have also turned their second home match of the season into a win. The Amsterdammers beat Heracles 2-0. Steven Berghuis scored after just over half an hour of play, after which Wout Weghorst decided the match deep in the second half.
For Ajax, the focus is fully on the second home match of the season, on Sunday against Heracles Almelo. Two days ahead of the Heracles visit, John Heitinga’s squad took to the training pitch, in a session that also included Josip Šutalo and Brian Brobbey. The defender and striker returned to group training after a period of injury.