AZ Alkmaar is a professional football club based in Alkmaar, Netherlands. Founded in 1967, the team competes in the Eredivisie, the top tier of Dutch football. The club's home matches are played at the AFAS Stadion, which has a capacity of around 17,000 spectators. The team has enjoyed success in Dutch football, winning the Eredivisie title in 1981 and 2009. Additionally, AZ Alkmaar has claimed the KNVB Cup multiple times. The club is known for its strong youth academy, which has produced several talented players who have gone on to have successful careers in football.