AZ Alkmaar

AZ
Full nameAlkmaar Zaanstreek
Nickname(s)De Kaasboeren (The Cheese Farmers)
Short nameAZ
Founded10 May 1967 (1967-05-10)
GroundAFAS Stadion
Capacity19,478
Executive director
Technical director
Merijn Zeeman
Max Huiberts
ChairmanRené Neelissen
Head coachMaarten Martens
LeagueEredivisie
2024–25Eredivisie, 5th of 18
Websitewww.az.nl

Alkmaar Zaanstreek (Dutch: [ˈɑl(ə)kmaːr ˈzaːnstreːk]), better known internationally as AZ Alkmaar, or simply and most commonly as AZ (pronounced [aːˈzɛt]) in the Netherlands, is a Dutch professional football club from Alkmaar and the Zaan district. The club plays in the Eredivisie, the highest professional football league in the Netherlands.

AZ won the Eredivisie in 1980–81 and 2008–09. In 1981, they also reached the UEFA Cup final, which they lost to Ipswich Town. The team has won the KNVB Cup on four occasions, and one Johan Cruyff Shield.