They travel to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday 22 October in what will be the third competitive meeting between Chelsea and Ajax.

We were drawn together in the Champions League group stage in 2019/20, with Frank Lampard’s Blues winning 1-0 in Amsterdam before an epic 4-4 draw in the return fixture.

Ahead of next month’s game, discover more about Ajax’s European pedigree and their recent fortunes…

Factfile

Full name: Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax
Country: Netherlands
City: Amsterdam
Formation: 1900
Major honours: 38 Eredivisie titles (most recently 2022), four European Cup/Champions League wins (1971, 1972, 1973, 1975), 20 Dutch Cups (most recently 2021), 1 UEFA Cup (1993), 1 Cup Winners’ Cup (1987)
Head coach: John Heitinga

2024/25 league finish: 2nd
Stadium: Johan Cruyff Arena
Colours: Red and white
Nickname:de Godenzonen (Sons of the Gods)
Rivals: Feyenoord

Champions League history

Ajax first entered the European Cup in 1957/58. They were beaten by AC Milan in the final at the beginning of a golden era spearheaded by the legendary Johan Cruyff, but won the competition in 1971, 1972 and 1973, keeping clean sheets in each final.

In more modern times, Ajax reached consecutive Champions League finals in 1995 and 1996, beating Milan in the first and then losing on penalties to a Juventus side captained by Gianluca Vialli.

Like us, this is their first season in the competition since 2022/23.

2024/25 season

It was a frustrating campaign for Ajax last time out. They dropped points in four of their last five league fixtures to throw away a healthy lead at the top of the Eredivisie and hand the title to PSV Eindhoven, who pipped them by a point.

They lost 2-0 to AZ Alkmaar in the last 16 of the Dutch Cup, and were knocked out of the Europa League at the same stage by Eintracht Frankfurt.

2025/26 season so far…

Ajax have won both their home games in the Eredivisie 2-0, and drawn both their away games – against Go Ahead Eagles and Volendam - to sit fifth in the early league standings.

Current squad

There are several former Premier League players in Ajax’s squad, among them Wout Weghorst, Steven Berghuis and Davy Klassen. Vitezslav Jaros and James McConnell are on loan from Liverpool, while Israeli attacker Oscar Gloukh was their big signing of the summer.

Ex-Blue Bertrand Traore departed for Sunderland on deadline day, and Jordan Henderson joined Brentford on a free transfer earlier in the summer.

Notable former players

As well as Cruyff, after whom their stadium is named, there have been a glut of footballing greats to have played for Ajax, including Marco van Basten, the De Boer brothers, Frank Rijkaard, Clarence Seedorf, Dennis Bergkamp, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Johan Neeskens, and Edgar Davids.

Brian Laudrup, Hakim Ziyech, Mario Melchiot, Winston Bogarde, Jesper Gronkjaer, and of course new signing Jorrel Hato have played for both clubs.

Previous Champions League meetings

2019/20 group stage

Ajax 0-1 Chelsea
Chelsea 4-4 Ajax

You can be at all four of our Champions League home games with a Club Chelsea League Phase Bundle. Explore the package options here!