March 18, 1900: Founding
AFC Ajax is founded by a group of friends in the centre of Amsterdam.
May 21, 1911: Promotion to the First Division
After finishing first in the Second Division West B, Ajax competes with ’t Zesde and Hercules for a place in the First Division. A 0-0 draw against ’t Zesde on May 21, 1911, is enough to secure promotion.
September 10, 1911: White-Red-White
The current Ajax jersey, with a red stripe in the middle and two white sections on the sides, is based on a team photo from September 10, 1911. As far as we know, this is the first image of Ajax in the white-red-white kit. The picture is taken after a 3-0 victory in the Golden Cross final against Volharding. Due to their promotion to the First Division, Ajax must change their striped red-and-white kit, as Sparta already uses it.
September 19, 1915: Jack Reynolds' debut
Former Ajax coach Jack Reynolds replaces departing coach John Kirwan in the summer of 1915, amid the war in Europe. The Englishman significantly impacts the club, focusing on attacking football, youth development, and strengthening discipline and fitness training. Over three separate periods, Reynolds wins eight national titles and a cup.
May 27, 1917: First (national) trophy
Seventeen years after its founding, Ajax secured its first national success. The club wins the NVB Cup (precursor to the KNVB Cup) with a 5-0 victory over VSV.
June 9, 1918: Ajax March and first national title
In June 1918, Ajax win their first national title during an away match against Willem II. In the championship battle, they defeated Go Ahead, Willem II, AFC, and Be Quick. The newly composed Ajax March was sung.
1928: New, old, and classic logo
Ajax adopts a new logo. The previous emblem featuring a footballer is replaced with the Greek hero Ajax, symbolizing strength, determination, and warrior spirit. The emblem has been featured on Ajax's banner since 1925, in honour of the club’s 25th anniversary.
1930-1940: The Golden 1930s
Ajax winning five league titles in the 1930s (1931, 1932, 1934, 1937, 1939). The team's all-time top scorer, Piet van Reenen ("Goal Piet"), is the standout player of this era. Since then, Ajax has been regarded as a top club in the Netherlands.
December 9, 1934: Opening of De Meer stadium
Ajax leave the Wooden Stadium for a new home: Stadion De Meer. Despite economic hardships, the club manages to fund the construction independently.
September 16, 1956: Mister Ajax's debut
During a cup match against Stormvogels (3-2 victory), a young Sjaak Swart makes his official debut for Ajax. Swart ultimately becomes the club's most-capped player, featuring in 603 matches between 1956 and 1973.
May 19, 1957: First Eredivisie title
A new national league is formed after the 1955/1956 season: the Eredivisie. The new season begins with a 1-0 victory over NAC and ends with a championship on May 19 after a 1-5 win against BVC Amsterdam. This national championship grants Ajax access to European football for the first time in club history. The first official European match is played on November 20, 1957, in East Germany against Wismut Aue.
May 26, 1960: Tenth title
After 34 matches, Ajax and Feyenoord both have fifty points, leading to a decisive match in the Olympic Stadium. Feyenoord takes the lead, but Ajax dominates the second half (5-1) and secures its tenth national title.
April 26, 1962: First international trophy
In the European final of the Intertoto Cup, Ajax defeats Feyenoord 2-4. - Henk Groot is the key player for Ajax.
November 15, 1964: 'Johan' debuts
Johan Cruyff makes his debut for Ajax 1 in Groningen against GVAV. The debutant scores, but Ajax loses 3-1. Later that season, another legendary Ajax figure debuts: on January 24, 1965, Rinus Michels takes over from Vic Buckingham. That season, Ajax is a relegation candidate.
June 2, 1971: Best in Europe 1.0
Ajax crowns itself the best club in Europe. In the final at Wembley, Greek side Panathinaikos is defeated 2-0, with goals from Dick van Dijk and Arie Haan. Rinus Michels leaves with the European trophy in hand and moves to FC Barcelona.
May 31, 1972: Best in Europe 2.0
One season later, Ajax does it again—this time on home soil. At Rotterdam’s De Kuip stadium, the team, led by Stefan Kovács, once again wins the final 2-0. Two goals from Johan Cruyff eliminate Internazionale. That season, Ajax also win the league title and the domestic cup.
September 29, 1972: Best in the world
Ajax are the best team in the world. In a two-legged clash with Argentina's Independiente, Ajax wins the Intercontinental Cup. After a tough first leg (1-1), the Amsterdam-based team seal the deal at the Olympic Stadium with a 3-0 victory.
January 24, 1973: First European Super Cup
Glasgow Rangers are Ajax’s opponents in the battle for the European Super Cup in January. A 1-3 victory in Glasgow and a 3-2 win in Amsterdam secure Ajax’s first European Super Cup title.
May 30, 1973: Best in Europe 3.0
The triple is complete. For the third consecutive year, Ajax win the European Cup I. After defeating Panathinaikos and Internazionale, Juventus are beaten 1-0 in May 1973, thanks to a goal from Johnny Rep. Ajax firmly establishes its golden era.
January 16, 1974: Second European Super Cup
A few months after Johan Cruijff's departure, Ajax once again demonstrated their class by winning the European Super Cup for the second time, this time against AC Milan. The 1-0 loss in Italy is spectacularly overturned in the return match. A dazzling Ajax wins 6-0.
May 15, 1982: Twentieth national title
In the 1981/1982 season, Ajax wins its 20th national title after a 3-2 victory over AZ’67. The championship is largely due to the return of Johan Cruyff. Wearing number 14, he makes his comeback on December 6, 1981, against Haarlem, scores a stunning goal, and leads Ajax to the championship.
May 13, 1987: European Cup II comes to Amsterdam
A dynamic Ajax, coached by Johan Cruyff, defeats Bursaspor and Olympiakos in De Meer. In the quarter-finals, the team overcomes Malmö FF and reaches the final after a successful two-legged tie with Real Zaragoza. During the final in Athens against Lokomotiv Leipzig, Marco van Basten heads Ajax to the European title.
May 13, 1992: UEFA Cup Victory
With Louis van Gaal at the helm, Ajax wins the UEFA Cup. In the final, Torino is defeated over two legs (2-2 and 0-0), with Ajax winning on away goals. Ajax now has all major European trophies in its cabinet.
May 24, 1995: Unbeatable in the Netherlands and Europe
Thanks to a toe-poke goal from Patrick Kluivert, Ajax wins the UEFA Champions League, defeating AC Milan 1-0 in the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna. The team, largely composed of homegrown talent under Louis van Gaal, also dominates the domestic league.
November 28, 1995: Best in the World 2.0
Six months later, Ajax once again crowns itself the best team in the world. In Tokyo, Ajax defeats Brazilian side Grêmio FC on penalties.
August 14, 1996: Opening of Amsterdam ArenA
Ajax's new home, the Amsterdam ArenA, is officially opened. In 2018, the stadium is renamed Johan Cruijff ArenA.
May 15, 2011: The Third Star
In a thrilling ArenA, Ajax wins the 30th national title in its history in a direct showdown with FC Twente. The third star on the club’s shirt becomes a reality after a 3-1 victory.
May 18, 2012: Ajax Women's team established
Ajax forms a women's team that competes in the BeNe League. The first official match is played on August 24 of that year.
April 27, 2014: Fourth consecutive league title
Under Frank de Boer, Ajax wins four consecutive league titles. After championships in 2011, 2012, and 2013, the fourth is secured in 2014 following a 1-1 draw against Heracles Almelo.
June 9, 2014: First trophy for Ajax Women
The Ajax Women win their first-ever trophy. In the cup final, they defeat PSV 2-1.
May 19, 2017: First league title for Ajax Women
The Ajax Women become league champions for the first time. At the sports complex De Toekomst, they defeat ADO Den Haag 2-1, securing the title.
May 24, 2017: European final
After many years, Ajax plays in a European final again. Following thrilling matches against Schalke 04 and Olympique Lyon, Manchester United proves too strong in the final in Stockholm, winning 2-0.
May 15, 2019: European success and domestic glory
In the 2018/2019 season, Ajax win both the domestic cup and 34th league title. Additionally, the team under Erik ten Hag reaches the UEFA Champions League semi-finals after victories over Real Madrid and Juventus, narrowly missing the final in Madrid.
May 11, 2022: Third title in four years
In Erik ten Hag's final home game as head coach, Ajax wins its 36th league title with a commanding 5-0 victory over SC Heerenveen. After titles in 2019, the interrupted COVID season in 2020, and the 2021 championship, Ajax secured their third league title in four years.
