AEK Athens defeats Iraklis 4-0 in Super League opener

Defending Greek champions AEK Athens opened their new season with a dominant 4-0 victory against Iraklis at the Allwyn Arena on August 22, 2026. The match marked a significant return for Iraklis, as the Thessaloniki club competed in the first division for the first time in a decade. AEK took an early lead in the 11th minute through Varga, who converted an assist from Marin. Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the stadium was partially restricted as the designated organized fan sections remained closed due to penalties incurred during last season's final match against Olympiacos. Approximately 500 Iraklis supporters were in attendance in the away section.

Following the match, AEK manager Marko Nikolic expressed the importance of securing points early, despite the squad's focus being divided by upcoming European commitments. The club now transitions its focus to the return leg of the Champions League qualification playoff against Levski Sofia, scheduled for August 26, 2026, at 22:00. Meanwhile, Iraklis manager Walter Mazzarri faces a challenging rebuilding phase as he works to integrate his squad after taking the position earlier this summer following initial negotiations.