Exploring Johan Cruijff ArenA: The Ajax FC Stadium

Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax, AFC Ajax, or simply Ajax, is a Dutch professional football club from Amsterdam and is one of the “big three” that dominate Dutch football, along with Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven. The club has won titles in major European competitions such as the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, and Super Cup.

The team’s greatness does not only extend to its titles and players, but also to its home, which is an example of modernity and structure.

As a multi-purpose stadium, the Johan Crujiff ArenA (formerly Amsterdam ArenA) has hosted many unforgettable matches and events. The venue is a model of modernity—one of the most modern and complete stadiums I have ever visited—and an illustration for other teams looking to improve their home grounds. In this article, we will explore a little more about this incredible stadium.

Table of Contents

• Exploring Johan Cruijff ArenA: The Ajax FC Stadium
  • History Of The Stadium
  • A Structure That Has Always Been Innovative
  • From Amsterdam ArenA to Johan Cruijff ArenA
  • The Stage for Memorable Matches
  • Stadium Facilities
  • A Venue That Goes Beyond A Football Stadium!
  • A Socially Responsible and Innovative Arena
  • Stadium Tour
  • How to Get to the Stadium
  • We Are All About Football!

History Of The Stadium

Beginning in 1986, the Netherlands wanted to build a new stadium to replace the old Amsterdam Olympic Stadium, which had hosted the important games since 1928. This new stadium was central to Amsterdam’s candidacy to host the 1992 Olympic Games. Meanwhile, the project was initially shelved after losing to Barcelona in the Olympic trial.

In 1987, the Amsterdam Sports City Foundation was created to revive the project, increasing achievements and updates. Ajax, a club on the rise under the command of Johan Cruijff, sought a new house to accommodate its fans best. The De Meer stadium, where Ajax played in the past, was too small for important games, forcing the club to use the Amsterdam Olympic Stadium for important games. 

The new stadium project has undergone various revisions. Initially, it included an athletics track around the field and fixed coverage. Furthermore, after reassessing the needs of the stadium’s future, the athletics track was removed to allow the archways to be placed closer to the field, making the pitch easier to see during the games. Furthermore, the fixed cover was replaced by a retractable cover, which was unprecedented and very innovative at the time, which allowed greater comfort to the twisters and the holding of events in all climatic conditions.

In 1992, Amsterdam’s government approved the construction of the stadium, which began in November 1993. The work cost about 140 million euros and took approximately three years to be completed. The stadium was inaugurated in July 1996, with a ceremony that included the presence of Rainha Beatriz. Before the ceremony, an Olympic torch was carried to the stadium, with Johan Cruijff in front and Frank Rijkaard at the end, symbolizing the stadium’s connection to the rich history of Ajax. The inaugural match was on August 14, 1996, a friendly between Ajax and AC Milan.

Plans to renovate the stadium facade were presented in September 2015. Construction began in June 2017, and the new facade was completed in April 2018.

A Structure That Has Always Been Innovative

Today, it is expected to see increasingly modern stadiums, with structures and facilities that bring many amenities and luxury to fans and visitors. However, when the Johan Cruijff was completed, its structure was considered a landmark of modernity with its futuristic design. 

With a capacity of around 55,000 people, the stadium featured several technological innovations, such as a retractable roof system that opened and closed in just 20 minutes, an air conditioning system that maintained a pleasant temperature, and sensors on the pitch that regulated irrigation and heating, preventing freezing in winter. The stands were designed to provide excellent visibility from any seat, creating a unique experience for fans. Again, today, this is very “normal” for stadiums, but back then, it was very advanced!

From Amsterdam ArenA to Johan Cruijff ArenA

In 2005, Ajax fans began a campaign to have the Amsterdam Arena renamed in honor of legendary coach Rinus Michels, who passed away in March of that year, proposing the name Rinus Michels Stadion. Despite protests and banners displayed by fans, the club’s management did not comply with the request. 

However, after the death of Johan Cruijff in 2016, the greatest player in the history of the Netherlands and Ajax, the board decided to rename the stadium in his honor. Due to bureaucratic procedures involving the club, the municipality of Amsterdam, and Cruijff’s family, the stadium was officially named Johan Cruijff ArenA on April 25, 2018, the legend’s birthday.

The Stage for Memorable Matches

@cfcunofficial (Chelsea Debs) London, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Since its opening in 1996, the Johan Cruijff ArenA has witnessed many spectacular matches. Some include the 1998 UEFA Champions League between Real Madrid and Juventus, in which Real Madrid won 1-0 to clinch their first Champions League Cup in 32 years. The stadium has already been used as a venue for five games of the European Championship held in 2000 and has been a witness to a tense semi-final between the Netherlands and Italy that concluded with a penalty shootout. In addition, the stadium hosted several historical Eredivisie competitions and European games. 

Recently, in 2021, the Johan Cruijff ArenA provided four matches of the European Championship, among which the meeting of the Netherlands and Ukraine in the group stage with the result 3 2 had a powerful impression.  Today, All home matches of the Amsterdam football club are played in the stadium.

Stadium Facilities

The Johan Cruijff ArenA is designed to provide a unique and memorable experience for fans and visitors, with various facilities to ensure comfort and convenience.

Food, Drink and Dining

The stadium has several stands offering various food and drink options, including sandwiches, coffees, snacks, hot dogs, and Asian cuisine. There are so many options that it’s hard to choose. I’m one of those people who like to eat a lot, so I had a great time watching a game and enjoying the options!

In addition, four dedicated restaurants within the stadium provide dining options to suit all tastes.

Toilets and First Aid

All stadium sections are easily accessible, with toilets at the main entrance E and near the disabled spaces. The stadium has four first aid stations: two on the north and two on the south, distributed between rings 1 and 2.

Accessibility

The arena seeks to be highly accessible, with many facilities to ensure all visitors can move around and enjoy the events comfortably.

• Escalators and Elevators: Several escalators make it easier to move around the stadium. Visitors with reduced mobility or wheelchairs can use the elevators, which go up to the highest level of the stadium.
• Disabled Seating: There is a unique platform for disabled seating on the stadium’s north side. Alternatively, people can sit between the first and second rings behind one of the goals.
• Ajax Audio for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Visually impaired people can enjoy football matches at the Johan Cruijff ArenA. Special seats with a radio connection are on the platform behind the north goal. You can listen to live commentary from guest journalists, ensuring you don’t miss any exciting game moments.

This was one of the features I enjoyed most when visiting the stadium. By making a reality accessible in all aspects of life, we are creating a more inclusive and equitable future for all. Arena makes it clear that all visitors can have the best possible experience!

Skylounge And VIP Experiences

For a VIP experience, Skylounge allows you to rent a Skybox. In this box, guests can watch games or shows in the comfort of a private hostess serving drinks, snacks, or dinner. The VIP experience also includes unique parking spaces.

One of the rooms available for the VIP experience is Café Johan. In this pub-style room, entrepreneurs, their business associates, family, and friends gather to enjoy the authentic Ajax atmosphere and have a good dose of Amsterdam fun. The Café Johan package includes drinks, dinner, and entertainment.

A Venue That Goes Beyond A Football Stadium!

Edoderoo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In addition to hosting matches for Ajax and the Dutch national team, the Johan Cruijff ArenA is a popular venue for a wide range of events. 

The stadium boasts top-notch corporate event facilities, with 22 rooms for hire, each equipped with state-of-the-art technology and top-quality catering.

John Reedijk, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The place is also a venue for private events and music concerts, having hosted international artists such as Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, Backstreet Boys, David Bowie, U2, Bon Jovi, AC/DC, Rihanna, One Direction, Coldplay, Beyoncé, Madonna, Metallica and more.

A Socially Responsible and Innovative Arena

Sustainability is another crucial aspect of the Johan Cruijff ArenA. Its roof covers over 4200 solar panels and can, therefore, produce a considerable amount of power. Thus, the power storage battery is relatively enormous and assists the stadium in maintaining a green energy consumption profile, particularly during big games. 

The stadium aims to become “Net Positive” by 2030, meaning it will produce more energy than it consumes. The stadium is also a testing ground for several technological innovations. Projects like the Fieldlab ArenA Area are exploring using drones to monitor safety and accessibility during events and implementing new technologies to improve the visitor experience.

Regarding social outreach, the Johan Cruijff ArenA focuses on initiatives that benefit the community and promote well-being. The stadium supports projects focused on inclusion in the workforce, children, and various social causes. They strengthen existing initiatives and develop new activities inside and outside the stadium. Examples include events for the Disabled Sports Fund, the Johan Cruijff Foundation 14K run, ArenA Moves (multiple sclerosis research), and campaigns such as KWF Fight against Cancer, Make-A-Wish, and The Foodbank.

Stadium Tour

Daniel from Glasgow, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Johan Cruijff ArenA offers a variety of tours that allow visitors to explore different aspects of the stadium, from exclusive areas to interactive experiences. You can choose the tour that best suits your budget, and options range from a classic tour that provides an overview of the main areas of the stadium to a VIP tour that includes access to exclusive areas of the stadium. 

There are also guided tour options, with a specialist guide taking visitors through various stadium areas, providing detailed information and interesting stories about the venue and the club. There are exclusive tours for children and even a self-guided tour for those who prefer to explore at their own pace.

Some of the areas of the stadium that you can explore include:

• Ajax and Opponents Dressing Rooms: You can explore the dressing room where players prepare for matches.
• Mixed Zone: This area is where journalists interview players and coaches.
• Players’ Tunnel: You can walk through the tunnel that leads to the pitch.
• Pitch: Walk around the pitch where matches are played.
• Manager’s Ditch: Visit the bench where the coach and substitutes sit during the game.
• Press Room: See where press conferences are held.
• Ajax Hall of Fame: See exhibits about the club’s rich history and achievements.
• Virtual Reality Experience: Experience a virtual immersion into historic moments at the stadium and Ajax.

Remember that this will depend on the type of package you choose. Some packages include freebies such as drinks, an exclusive Johan Cruijff scarf, and printed photos of you at the stadium. I recommend visiting the stadium website to check the options and purchase the ticket that best suits you. 

The tour is really cool, and shows a lot about the stadium and the history of the club. For fans and sports enthusiasts, the time is well worth it!

How to Get to the Stadium

The Johan Cruijff ArenA is located at Johan Cruijff Boulevard 1, 1101 AX, and is easily accessible by various public and private transport forms.

Here are some options for getting to the stadium:

• Metro: From Amsterdam Central Station, take metro 50 or 54 to Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA. From Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena, it is a 5-minute walk to the main entrance E. Several regional and intercity trains stop at Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA station, which is only a few minutes’ walk from the stadium.
• Bus: Several bus lines, such as 44, 47, 49, and 66, have stops close to the Johan Cruijff ArenA, making it easy for visitors to get there.
• Car: The stadium is accessible by car, with several main routes leading there. Use a GPS to find the best route and follow the signs as you approach the stadium. Several parking lots are around the stadium, such as P1 (Arena) and P2 (Transferium).
• Biking: Amsterdam has a well-developed cycling infrastructure. Bicycle parking is available around the stadium.
• Taxi and Ride-Sharing Services: Taxi and ride-sharing services such as Uber can drop off and pick up passengers near the stadium. To simplify the process, designated areas are provided for drop-off and pick-up.

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