Founded in 1967 from the merger of two clubs in the Alkmaar-Zaanstreek region, AZ take their name from the initials of "Alkmaar Zaanstreek." In 1981, the club won the Eredivisie title and reached the UEFA Cup Final in the same season.

Under Louis van Gaal in 2009, AZ claimed their second league title after a 28-year wait, establishing themselves as a genuine fourth force in Dutch football. Despite operating on a fraction of the Big Three's budgets, outstanding youth development and smart recruitment keep AZ competitive year after year.

Maarten Martens, a Belgian appointed in January 2024, guided AZ to fourth place in his first half-season and earned a contract extension through 2028.

He deploys a 4-3-3 with emphasis on wide play and rapid transitions. Troy Parrott and Mexx Meerdink lead the forward line, with efficient counter-attacks through the flanks forming the core attacking strategy.

Opened in 2006, the AFAS Stadion holds 19,722 spectators and sits approximately two metres below sea level — a typically Dutch detail. It replaced the old Alkmaarderhout as the club's home ground.

Named after IT software company AFAS, the compact and modern venue suits AZ's stature as one of the Eredivisie's most consistent mid-sized clubs.

AZ are renowned as one of the Netherlands' finest talent factories. Alumni include Arjen Robben, Maarten Stekelenburg, Ron Vlaar, and Adam Maher. More recently, Ruben van Bommel (sold to PSV) and Ernest Poku (Bayern Munich) have continued the production line.

The buy-develop-sell cycle is firmly established, and AZ's identity as the "little giant" of Dutch football remains unshakeable.