Auckland FC

Auckland Football Club, known as Auckland FC, is a professional soccer team based in New Zealand's largest city. They compete in the A-League Men, Australia's top-flight domestic league, and the OFC Professional League. The club was founded on March 14, 2024, after American billionaire Bill Foley secured an A-League license in November 2023 through his Black Knight Sports and Entertainment organization. Foley also owns the Vegas Golden Knights and AFC Bournemouth. Auckland FC plays home matches at Mount Smart Stadium (commercially Go Media Stadium), a 25,000-seat venue in Penrose. The team made an immediate impact, winning the A-League Premiership in their debut 2024-25 season, becoming only the second expansion side to do so. They followed that by claiming the A-League Championship and OFC Professional League title in 2025-26, completing a historic double. [edit]

When Bill Foley received the A-League license in November 2023, Auckland became the league's 13th club and the second from New Zealand after the Wellington Phoenix. Foley's Black Knight Sports and Entertainment, which also runs the Vegas Golden Knights and AFC Bournemouth, provided substantial financial backing. The club appointed Nick Becker as CEO and Steve Corica, a former Sydney FC manager with multiple A-League titles, as head coach. The inaugural squad was assembled over nine months, blending international signings with domestic talent.

Auckland FC's first competitive match was on October 19, 2024, at Go Media Stadium against Brisbane Roar. A crowd of 24,492 watched the hosts win 2-0, setting a tone for the season. The team topped the regular season table, winning the Premiership by seven points. However, they lost the Semi-Final to eventual champions Central Coast Mariners, missing the Grand Final. The 2025-26 season saw a more measured regular campaign, finishing third, but the team peaked in the Finals series, defeating Melbourne City and Western Sydney Wanderers to claim the Championship. They also won the inaugural OFC Professional League, beating Solomon Warriors in the final. [edit]