Dear AB Family,

As we turn the calendar to 2026, I find myself reflecting on the last twelve months and preparing for the year to come. I write today to share some of my reflection and preparation, but mostly to express the immense pride I have for this organization and my profound gratitude for all those that made 2025 special at AB A/S.

I am often reminded that football is just a game — tracked by wins, losses, and draws, and, of course, placement in the table. But AB A/S is more than that, it is a living, breathing organization, made up of people, passion, and shared values. While 2025 was by every metric a landmark year for us on the pitch — we won 21 of our 32 league games, and sit in first place today with 12 wins in our first 16 games of the 2025-26 season — it was also a tremendous year in almost every other part of the organization. While the excitement is clearly palpable with the team and we all cannot wait to take the pitch in March, the rest of the organization is humming this winter as we close out a stellar year across the commercial side, with our strategic new investor joining us in April (Green Owls), new kit sponsors (Carlsberg, Datum, Myriad360, and Plane), key stadium improvements like LED signage, and a commercial team focused on driving revenue growth.

When we began the year in 2025, we set aggressive targets, focused on both promotion and commercial success.  One year later, we are truly closer to both. 

Sporting 

As we sit on 36 points (12-0-4), we have our eye on the next 16 games, and we are even more focused on our promotion goal.  We start this year with a new head coach and a few player additions, with the core reinforced from our solid 2025.  We will continue to play a brand of football that reflects our united spirit — hard-working, creative, and fearless. What impressed me most in 2025 was not just the victories, but the resilience of our squad, and we look to build on that in 2026.  That mentality that has poised us for an even greater 2026.

After a very productive summer window, we have now welcomed Milan Silva Rasmussen and are working on some other exciting announcements this winter.  We also continue to sign our academy players — most recently Alfred Horup — and have extended some of our core players with O’Vonte Mullings and Marco Ramkilde in late 2025. We also hired our new head coach, Fannar Berg Gunnólfsson, from among our ranks, and hired two new assistant coaches, Jussi Kontinen and Benjamin Chor.  The pieces are all there and we look forward to the season restart in March.

Commercial 

While the magic happens on the pitch, the foundation is still built in the boardroom and in our offices. Our ambition can only be matched by commercial sustainability, as you cannot have one without the other. To that end, 2025 was a record-breaking year for our commercial operations and we have raised our goals for 2026. As we strengthen our financial position, we also continue to invest back into the squad and our facilities without jeopardizing the long-term health of the club. We have and will continue to support our brand and mission through key media platforms and technological innovations, build our partner base and our options for sponsorship, and improve the match-day experience, with themed match days like Oktoberfest and J-Day. Fan outreach has improved markedly with a new fan newsletter, access to compelling and exciting content across multiple platforms, and a focus on welcoming new and former AB fans under the tent.

Our team has also grown, adding Zac Smith to our Board, Cynthia Lee to lead our Marketing efforts, and Rasmus Granzow to run events.  While we continue to build up our revenue engine, our goal remains to make Gladsaxe Stadium an unforgettable atmosphere, creating memories together in our community.  I truly feel the energy every time I am at the stadium and continue to be amazed by the passion of our fans, and look forward to more of it this Spring.

Our Partners

I want to take a moment to thank our commercial partners and sponsors. You are not just logos on a shirt or billboards around the perimeter; you are partners in our vision. You understand that AB A/S represents more than 90 minutes on a match day.  You have supported our community initiatives and our global outreach.  Because of your trust in our brand, we enter 2026 with the resources required to grow globally, while keeping to our local heart — that balance is vital to our identity. This has allowed us to increase our game-day attendance at the Stadium, but also around the world — through global watch parties and similar initiatives. The excitement is palpable.

I also continue to focus on the bridge we strengthened between AB A/S and the AB mother club. In 2025, we built a better pathway from the youth ranks at the academy to the senior squad – one that is clear and meritocratic. We believe our relationship with the mother club is one of the foundations of our success.  To that end, I thank Ulrik Rasch, the chairman of the mother club, and Kim Ragle and Simon Andresen, whom I have the pleasure to work with on a regular basis. The relationship between AB A/S and our academy has never felt more connected and cohesive.

Looking Ahead

While it is an age-old adage, it is an important reminder that complacency is the enemy of progress. Yes, 2025 was excellent. But in sports and in business, yesterday’s success does not ensure tomorrow’s victories. The margins are small and to stand still is to fall behind. We enter 2026 with a hunger that is sharper than ever.  We have identified key areas for improvement, on the sporting side, the commercial side, and in creating a better fan community platform. We are planning more upgrades to the match day experience — locally and around the world – and we are poised for greatness.

Before I close, I must offer my thanks to the people who make this club what it is. To our staff and volunteers: You are the unsung heroes. Thank you for your tireless dedication. To our investors and fellow board members:  Thank you for your wisdom, your patience, and your unwavering support of our long-term strategy.  To our players and coaches: Thank you for the sweat, the passion, and the joy you have given me week after week.  Rest well during this break, for the challenges ahead are great.  And finally, to you, the fans. You are the lifeblood of AB A/S. Whether you have been coming to games for years or you are a new fan watching from across the ocean — you are the reason we do this and I will do all I can to make your connection to this club stronger each and every year.

The year 2026 stands before us like an open pitch, waiting for the whistle to blow. Together, we will write the next chapter of this great club’s history and uphold the values that connect us and make us who we are.

Happy New Year.

Always AB,
Brian J. Grieco
Chairman, AB A/S