Auckland expansion team secures full A-Leagues Licence

Australian Professional Leagues (APL) has announced the award of a full A-Leagues licence to Bill Foley, the owner of AFC Bournemouth of the English Premier League, FC Lorient of France’s Ligue 1 and Vegas Golden Knights of North America’s National Hockey League.

The full licence award confirms the Club’s entry to the A-Leagues for the 2024/25 season, with the men’s team due to join the Isuzu UTE A-League Men in Season 2024/25 and the Liberty A-League Women’s team in Season 2025/26.

Foley is the founder and general partner of Black Knight Football Club, which owns AFC Bournemouth and has a significant investment in FC Lorient.. He is also founder and owner of ice hockey’s 2023 Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights.

Commenting on being awarded the A-Leagues licence, Foley stated “it’s an honour to bring a top football club to Auckland. Building a championship team from expansion has been my most exhilarating professional achievement, and I aim to do the same for the fans of New Zealand and particularly the community on the north island. It’s a special place and an area that I know will embrace this team.”

Australian Professional Leagues Chair, Stephen Conroy added “on Billl Foley we have a proven global sports investor and operator with a track record of building deep roots in the community, a passion for football, and a long-standing business and personal relationship with New Zealand.

“We are delighted to welcome Bill and his team to the A-Leagues and look forward to seeing the club in action next year.”

Andrew Pragnell, Chief Executive of New Zealand Football, added “the expansion of the A-Leagues into Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, and the league becoming truly Australasian, is a step change moment in the development of football in New Zealand.

“This is an exciting day and we welcome Bill Foley to the wider football system in this country. Bill has seen the potential of Auckland as a football city and is here for the long haul to help grow and develop the sport.

“The relationship between New Zealand Football and Football Australia has never been stronger and it has been great to see the benefits of co-hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 spread far and wide. This expansion has been in part made possible by these positive trans-Tasman football relations and we look forward to this continuing over the coming years.

“We are truly stronger together and the region as a whole benefits from football development when we are aligned.”

A-Leagues Commissioner, Nick Garcia, joined representatives from Football Australia and New Zealand Football in Auckland to formally award the licence to Bill Foley in Auckland.

Foley also confirmed the appointment of New Zealander Nick Becker, former Premier League and A-Leagues executive, as Chief Executive of the Club.

Image: Bill Foley at today's press conference. Credit: AKL Football 24.