Auckland was given an A-League licence under its chosen owner Bill Foley in November 2023, as part of the third tranche competition expansion.

In March 2023, the Australian Professional Leagues confirmed plans for the next two expansion clubs to be based in Canberra and Auckland ahead of the 2024–25 season.

[5] On 14 March 2024, the club officially announced its name, logo and inaugural home kit at its headquarters in Auckland.

The name was announced as Auckland FC and a stripe kit that featured electric blue and black as its main colours.

[7] On the same day of the announcement, the club revealed Terry McFlynn as its director of football,[8] and Steve Corica as its inaugural head coach.

[10] On 19 October 2024, Auckland played their inaugural A-League Men's fixture at the Mount Smart Stadium against Brisbane Roar.

[15] Due to scheduling conflicts with National Rugby League side New Zealand Warriors, the club uses the North Harbour Stadium as its training ground.

[21] The Knights folded in the 2006–07 A-League season after the club's licence was removed from the Football Federation Australia (FFA) due to insolvency.

[29] After the unveiling of Auckland FC on 14 March 2024, Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray, co-founder of Zuru, were announced as co-owners of the club.