Ajax Amsterdam secured qualification for the UEFA Conference League second preliminary round by defeating Utrecht in a playoff held at a neutral venue in Volendam on Sunday, May 24, 2026 [1, 2]. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, with Davy Klaassen scoring a deflected free kick seven minutes into extra time to give Ajax the lead, only for Gjivai Zechiel to equalize soon after, sending the match to a penalty shootout [1, 2].
In the shootout, Ajax converted all four of their penalty kicks. Their goalkeeper, Maarten Paes, made crucial saves against Utrecht players Sebastian Haller and Souffian El Karouani that proved decisive in the 4-3 shootout victory [1, 2].
Ajax finished the regular 2025-2026 Eredivisie season in fifth place, requiring them to compete in a playoff among four clubs for a European competition spot [1, 2]. With this win, they earned a place in the second preliminary round of the UEFA Conference League [1, 2].
The draw to determine Ajax’s opponent in the next round is scheduled for June 17, 2026 [1, 2]. Should Ajax advance from that stage, they will need to win two additional knockout rounds to reach the group stage of the tournament [1, 2].