PAOK

PAOK Football Club, officially known as Παναθηναϊκός Αθλητικός Όμιλος, is a professional football club based in Thessaloniki, Greece. The club was founded on 5 October 1926 after the merger of two local teams, PAOL and Νείτε. Since its inception, PAOK has become one of the most prominent clubs in Greek football, rivaling clubs such as Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, and AEK Athens.

The club’s home matches are played at the Toumba Stadium, located in the Toumba district of Thessaloniki. The arena has a capacity of approximately 27,000 spectators and is known for its passionate fan base, often referred to as the "Toumba fans". The team’s colors are black and white, and its emblem features a stylised swooping phoenix, symbolizing resilience.

PAOK has secured multiple domestic honours, including nine Greek Super League titles and five Greek Cup victories. The club also achieved notable success in European competitions, most famously reaching the quarter-finals of the European Cup in 1979–80 and the Champions League group stages on several occasions. In 2023, PAOK won its first major trophy in five decades with a triumph in the Greek Super Cup, defeating rivals in a high‑profile match.

Known for its tradition of nurturing homegrown talent, PAOK maintains strong ties to the local community. The club is managed by a board of directors and operates under the Greek Football Federation’s regulations. Despite fluctuations in performance, PAOK remains a central figure in Greek football culture.