AFC Ajax is one of the most successful football clubs in Europe. They have won the European Cup/Champions League four times, and are one of three clubs that have won the competition three times consecutively. Ajax have also won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup once, the UEFA Cup once, the UEFA Super Cup three times, the Intercontinental Cup twice and the International Football Cup once. The club has also appeared in three additional finals finishing as runners-up. In the 1979–80 season, Ajax player Søren Lerby was the top scorer of the European Cup with ten goals. Below is a list of all official European matches contested by Ajax.

History 1950s: European debut Ajax made their inaugural appearance in European competition during the 1957–58 European Cup. In the first round, they faced East German side Wismut Karl-Marx-Stadt, securing a 3–1 victory at home and a 1–0 win away, advancing with a 4–1 aggregate score. In the quarter-finals, Ajax drew 2–2 with Hungarian club Vasas SC in Amsterdam but suffered a 4–0 defeat in Budapest, resulting in a 6–2 aggregate loss and their elimination from the tournament.

1960s: Building foundations After their initial foray, Ajax participated in the 1960–61 European Cup but were eliminated in the preliminary round by Norwegian club Fredrikstad FK, following a 4–3 loss away and a 0–0 draw at home. The decade also saw Ajax's first major European success when they won the International Football Cup in 1962, defeating Feyenoord 4–2 in the final. In the 1968–69 European Cup, Ajax reached the final but were defeated 4–1 by AC Milan.

1970s: Golden era The 1970s marked a period of dominance for Ajax in European football. They secured three consecutive European Cups in 1971, 1972, and 1973, defeating Panathinaikos, Inter Milan, and Juventus in the finals, respectively. In 1972, Ajax achieved a treble by winning the Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, and European Cup. They also claimed the Intercontinental Cup in 1972 and the UEFA Super Cup in 1973.

1980s: Resurgence After a period of transition, Ajax returned to European prominence by winning the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1987, defeating Lokomotive Leipzig 1–0 in the final. They reached the final again in 1988 but were narrowly defeated by Mechelen.

1990s: Return to glory The 1990s saw Ajax reclaim their status among Europe's elite. They won the UEFA Cup in 1992, becoming one of the few clubs to have won all three major European competitions. In 1995, Ajax secured their fourth Champions League title by defeating AC Milan 1–0 in the final. They reached the final again in 1996 but were defeated by Juventus in a penalty shoot-out.

2000s: Challenges and rebuilding The early 2000s presented challenges for Ajax in European competitions. They reached the Champions League quarter-finals in the 2002–03 season but struggled to maintain consistent performances in subsequent years. Despite these hurdles, Ajax continued to develop young talents, laying the foundation for future successes.

2010s: Revival Ajax experienced a resurgence in the late 2010s. They advanced to the UEFA Europa League final in 2017 but were defeated by Manchester United. In the 2018–19 Champions League, Ajax reached the semi-finals, showcasing a young and dynamic squad.

2020s: Continued pursuit In the 2020–21 UEFA Europa League, Ajax advanced to the quarter-finals, demonstrating their ongoing competitiveness in European tournaments. The club remains committed to its philosophy of developing young talent and playing an attacking style of football, aiming to build upon its European legacy.

Finals

No.YearCompetitionLocationCountryOpponentScoreR1.1961–62International Football CupOlympic Stadium, Amsterdam, NetherlandsFeyenoord4–2W2.1968–69European CupSantiago Bernabéu, Madrid, SpainMilan1–4L3.1970–71European CupWembley Stadium, London, EnglandPanathinaikos2–0W4.1971–72European CupDe Kuip, Rotterdam, NetherlandsInternazionale2–0W5.1972–73European CupRed Star Stadium, Belgrade, YugoslaviaJuventus1–0W6.1986–87European Cup Winners' CupOlympic Stadium, Athens, GreeceLokomotiv Leipzig1–0W7.1987–88European Cup Winners' CupStade de la Meinau, Strasbourg, FranceMechelen0–1L8.1991–92UEFA Cup1st Leg: Stadio delle Alpi, Turin, Italy2nd Leg: Olympic Stadium, Amsterdam, NetherlandsTorino2–2, 0–0 (a)W9.1994–95UEFA Champions LeagueErnst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, AustriaMilan1–0W10.1995–96UEFA Champions LeagueStadio Olimpico, Rome, ItalyJuventus1–1 L11.2016–17UEFA Europa LeagueFriends Arena, Stockholm, SwedenManchester United0–2L

European match history

Seasonal competitions