Auckland vs Wellington

Lore & Background

Auckland FC was established on 14 March 2024 under license from the APL, with owner Bill Foley. The club's home ground is Mount Smart Stadium (known as Go Media Stadium for sponsorship reasons) in Penrose. Auckland achieved early success by winning the A-League Premiership in the 2024–25 regular season and the Championship in 2026, becoming only the second expansion side to win the Premiership in their debut season after Western Sydney Wanderers.

In Their Own Story

The floodlights at Eden Park hum with an electric tension as the white jerseys of Auckland face off against the black and gold of Wellington. The air is thick with the roar of twenty thousand fans, a sound that vibrates through the very grass of the pitch. A scrum engages in the center, bodies locking together in a display of raw power, while the ball sits oval and ready on the turf. There are no helmets here, only the protective tape on shoulders and the sheer will to dominate this historic ground.

Reader's Guide

Auckland FC's colours are blue and black, with a crest featuring an A symbolizing the city, representing Rangitoto Island and the Sky Tower, along with a black knight visor and stripes. The club's nickname is 'Black Knights'. They play at Mount Smart Stadium, with plans for a future stadium development at Western Springs Stadium that were later scrapped in favor of extending their deal with Go Media Stadium and North Harbour Stadium.

Did You Know?

• Auckland FC became the first New Zealand-based club to win A-League silverware by finishing as A-League Men Premiers in the 2024–25 season.
• The club's owner Bill Foley also owns Premier League side AFC Bournemouth and the Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL.
• Auckland FC fielded a separate squad in the OFC Professional League, winning the inaugural championship on 24 May 2026.