From the moment you ask when was Ajax founded, you unlock more than just a date — you open the door to the origins of one of Europe’s most legendary clubs. In this article, QuraGoal will accompany you through the early days of Ajax, explore its founders, trace the club’s rise, and explain why March 18, 1900 still echoes in Amsterdam stadiums today.
Origins: The Founding of AFC Ajax

The story begins in the heart of Amsterdam at the turn of the 20th century. AFC Ajax was officially founded on 18 March 1900, when three friends — Floris Stempel, Carel Reeser, and Han Dade — laid the cornerstone of what would become one of football’s great institutions.
The name “Ajax” derives from the mythological Greek hero Ajax the Great — embodying strength, resolve, and a warrior spirit. With those ideals in mind, the founders set out to create a club rooted in community, athleticism, and ambition.
The Early Years: Building the Club
Amateur Era and Growth
In its infancy, Ajax competed at the local and regional levels of Dutch football, navigating modest facilities and humble beginnings. As football grew in popularity in the Netherlands, the club began participating in the lower divisions, slowly carving a place in Dutch football’s structure.
By 1911, Ajax had been promoted to the top-tier regional competition. Their colors — the iconic red stripe on white — were already emerging as a symbol of identity. Within a few more years, Ajax would win its first major honors.
First Trophies and National Success
The breakthrough came in 1917, when Ajax captured the precursor to the KNVB Cup. A year later, in 1918, they won their first national championship. That victory marked Ajax’s arrival as a serious footballing force in the Netherlands.
Through the 1920s and early 1930s, Ajax accumulated regional successes and began competing for national honors more regularly. The 1930s in particular proved fruitful: the club secured multiple league titles and became a leading name in Dutch football.
Ajax Through the Decades: Rise to Prominence

Golden Era of the 1970s and European Dominance
The true turning point in Ajax’s legacy arrived in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Under visionary coaches such as Rinus Michels and with transcendent talent like Johan Cruyff, Ajax became synonymous with Total Football — a fluid, dynamic style where positional interchanges and collective intelligence redefined the game.
From 1971 to 1973, Ajax won the European Cup three times in a row, a feat almost unparalleled at the time. In 1972, they even pulled off the continental treble (league, domestic cup, European Cup) — a hallmark of dominance.
Later Achievements and Modern Era
Ajax’s prestige extended beyond the 1970s. Across later decades, the club added further European honors, including:
- UEFA Cup / Europa League
- Cup Winners’ Cup
- European Super Cups
- Intercontinental Cups
Domestically, Ajax accumulated dozens of Eredivisie titles and KNVB Cups, becoming the most successful Dutch club in history. The club also continuously refined its youth academy philosophy, producing a stream of world-class talents —.
Why the Founding Date Matters

Asking when was Ajax founded is more than a tri. That date represents:
- Heritage & Identity: March 18, 1900 marks the moment Ajax’s identity — red and white, attacking football, youth development — began.
- Continuity: Unlike earlier clubs that dissolved or merged, Ajax’s continuous operations trace directly to that founding moment.
- Legacy Anchor: Milestones (e.g., anniversaries) hinge on that starting point, guiding club celebrations and historical reflection.
Ajax by the Numbers: Key Historical Stats
To bring context to that founding date, here are some standout figures that define Ajax’s journey over more than a century:
- Over 36 Eredivisie titles (Dutch league)
- 20+ KNVB Cups (Dutch national cup competition)
- 4 European Cup / Champions League titles
- Multiple UEFA Cup, Cup Winners’ Cup, Su, and Intercontinental Cups
- One of just a few clubs to win all three major UEFA competitions
- Continuous membership in the Eredivisie since its formation
These records underscore that from its founding — 18 March 1900 — Ajax has built a legacy not just of longevity, but of sustained excellence.
The Founders’ Vision and Club Philosophy
The three founders were not merely organizing a recreational team — they envisioned a club with staying power. Over time, key pillars took shape:
- Youth development: Ajax became world-renowned for its academy, emphasizing technical skills, tactical intelligence, and holistic growth.
- Attacking style: The club favored open, possession-based, creative football — famously in line with Total Football ideals.
- Community roots: Though Ajax is now a global brand, its ethos remains tied to Amsterdam communities, identity, and local pride.
- Sustainability: Ajax often reinvested profits into infrastructure, scouting, and youth, rather than chasing one-time spending.
The seeds of all these principles were sown around that 1900 founding moment.
When Was Ajax Founded: Answer You Can Trust
So, when was Ajax founded? AFC Ajax was founded on 18 March 1900. That date marks the legal and historical birth of a club that has remained present, evolving, and powerful for more than a century.
It’s from that moment that Ajax’s narrative truly begins — a narrative that grew into golden eras, global influence, and a reputation among the most storied clubs in world football.
Conclusion
When was Ajax founded is a question with a definitive answer — 18 March 1900 — but the power lies in what followed., Ajax’s foundation set the stage for a century of innovation, identity, and glory.
Thank you for following QuraGoal on this historical journey. If you want deeper dives into Ajax’s players, match histories, top 10s, or its youth academy, just ask — we’ll keep pulling the threads of legend and fact together for you.