Auckland is buzzing with excitement as a new A-League team is officially confirmed.
American billionaire Bill Foley has secured a full A-League license, bringing an Auckland team back to the Australian League after a 17-year break.
The last time Auckland featured was with the Football Kingz from 1999 to 2004 and the New Zealand Knights from 2004 to 2007. Bill Foley, a big sports fan who owns Bournemouth in the English Premier League and started the Las Vegas Black Knights in 2017 (winning the Stanley Cup last year), is leading this new venture.
The team is ready to make its debut in the 2024 A-League season, injecting fresh excitement into Auckland’s sports scene. Foley, who invested in New Zealand in 2008, is honoured to bring a top football club to Auckland and is committed to building a championship team.
Nick Becker, an Auckland native, has been appointed as the new club’s Chief Executive Officer, overseeing business operations, with further announcements on football leadership coming soon.
While the franchise’s name is still under wraps, Foley hinted at a thoughtful process to make sure it represents New Zealand and Auckland. And it’s not just about the men; the team plans to have a women’s squad in the 2025-26 A-League Women’s competition.
