Auckland FC

Last night, alongside delegates from across the Pacific, Auckland FC attended the launch of the OFC Pro League at Eden Park. With representatives for Vanuatu, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, plus others all present, the event demonstrated football's power to unite. The OFC Pro League will start in January, and as with all our teams, we play to win. As a club, it will also allow us to provide more pathways to professionalism to talented footballers from across the country, as well as strengthen our ties with Pacific Communities here in Auckland and beyond. Thanks to Lambert Matlock, OFC President for hosting us. 

Back-heeled into history, Iconic AFC Shirt Finds a Home at Auckland War Memorial Museum He shoots; he scores, and into the archives it goes. The shirt worn by Auckland FC and All Whites defender Nando Pijnaker for the opening two games of Auckland FC’s historic debut season has been accepted into the archives by Auckland Museum.  The shirt, size extra-large and with the number four and Pijnaker on the back, has added significance, being the shirt that the 26-year-old scored a last-minute back-heeled goal in against Sydney FC in October 2025.  The 97th-minute goal ensured Auckland FC won the game and set the team up for a record-breaking six wins in a row, making them the most successful new team in Australian football history.  Dutch-born, Rotorua-raised Pijnaker was at Auckland Museum to formally hand the shirt over and sign the Deed of Gift.  “I’m grateful to Auckland Museum for accepting the shirt and recognising its significance. A bit like our debut season, it’s not really sunk in, and I’m not sure it will until I’m much older and looking back on my career and what we achieved,” says Pijnaker.  “I love this city, our fans, what together we’ve all achieved, and to know a piece of it will always be here is special.” There to accept it were museum chief executive David Reeves and curator, social history, Jane Groufsky. “Auckland Museum’s collections are built around stories that shape this city and its people,” Reeves said. “Objects like Nando’s shirt represent not only a remarkable game, but our sporting culture, community pride and the achievements that make this city.” Speaking of the goal, Pijnaker said he backheeled it more in hope than expectation. “I think you saw from my celebration that I didn’t know for certain where it would end up. The ball just fell to me, and back-heeling it towards the goal felt the simplest thing to do. The crowd were celebrating before I had time to turn around and see it in the back of the net,” added Pijnaker.  Also in attendance was Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker. Becker was incredibly proud to see the shirt being handed over.  “As an Aucklander, I’m a frequent visitor to the museum. I used to come here a lot when I was a child and gaze at all the various exhibits. To know a piece of Auckland FC will always be here, for young kids with big dreams to gaze up at, is huge, both personally and professionally,” says Becker.  “When we started this club, we talked a lot about making ourselves part of the fabric of the city and being a team Auckland can be proud of. The job is never done, but it is moments like today that make you realise you’re on the right track.”  

Moments like these. 💙 Get your tickets for this Saturday. 🎟️ https://lnkd.in/gUt7zNYq

This Halloween it’s less tricks, more treats! $5 for each ticket sold on our group ticket link goes back to your local club/group! 🎟️ Click here for more info: https://lnkd.in/gjfXMzaA (P.S. Flick us a message if you’d like your group added) See you on Saturday! 🏟️

Thank you for all your support on Saturday. 💙 We couldn’t do it without you. Let’s do it all again on Nov 1st against Adelaide, same place, same time. Get your tickets below 🎟️ https://lnkd.in/gUt7zNYq

Sunshine and smiles ahead of Matchday tomorrow ☀️

Matchday Mini Camps are back! Starting from 12:30pm on THIS SATURDAY, October 25th, young fans can kick off an unforgettable afternoon of football at our Matchday Mini Camps learning skills and drills from top coaches, meeting Auckland FC players, and sticking around to watch our home opener! It’s the perfect way for kids to get active, and be part of the matchday excitement! What’s Included ($200 package): 🔷 1x Child ticket (for the game) 🔷 1x Adult ticket (for the game) 🔷 Auckland FC training kit 🔷 Auckland FC boot bag 🔷 20% off merchandise (valid for 1 month) 🔷 $20 food vouchers (redeemable at any Go Media Stadium food vendor) 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/ggDjBejS

Here at Auckland FC we love WFH! Be there with us on Saturday! 🎟️ https://lnkd.in/ge6ChrBE

Make sure you’ve got your seats locked in for our first home game of the season this Saturday, October 25th 5pm, we can’t wait to see everyone there! https://lnkd.in/ge6ChrBE

UP Education backs Auckland FC in new partnership UP Education, Australasia’s largest independent tertiary education group, has joined forces with Auckland FC as the club’s Official Education Partner. With more than 39,000 students enrolled annually across 52 campuses in Australia and New Zealand, UP Education offers over 300 qualifications spanning health, sport, trades, technology, and creative industries. A key focus area for UP Education is the link between physical activity, mental health, and wellbeing - making sport a natural platform for community engagement. Reflecting this connection, the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC), a UP Education institution and Australia’s leading counselling and mental health education provider, will feature on Auckland FC’s away shorts throughout the 2025 season. “At UP Education, we equip students with the skills and confidence to succeed not just in the workplace, but in life,” says Tim McFarlane, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at UP Education. “Mental health is central to that mission. Through AIPC, we’re proud to champion awareness of counselling, wellbeing and the role that sport plays in supporting positive mental health.” AIPC has trained more than 4,000 counselling and community services students annually, providing practical skills that strengthen the mental health workforce across Australasia. “We know that to be the best on the pitch, players need to be feeling their best off it, and mental health plays a huge role in that,” says Auckland FC’s Mental Performance Coach, Hamish Barton. The one-year partnership will also offer Auckland FC players and staff access to professional development and wellbeing programmes through UP Education’s network. “UP Education is an impressive organisation to be partnering with,” says Nick Becker, CEO of Auckland FC. “We share a belief in the connection between sport and mental wellbeing - and we’re proud to carry the AIPC logo across Australia this season.”