Affectionately known as “De Kuip,” the Stadion Feijenoord is home to one of the most traditional and top teams in the Netherlands. The venue, which is also one of the stadiums of the Dutch national team, has a vibrant atmosphere and an emblematic meaning for Dutch football. Today, we will learn a little more about the history and curiosities of De Kuip!
History Of The Stadium
The stadium’s history dates back to 1934, when architects Brinkman and Van der Vlugt were asked by Leen van Zandvliet, then president of Feyenoord, to design a modern and functional stadium. Using cutting-edge technology for the time, such as a steel frame, construction progressed quickly, and in just ten months, the stadium was practically complete.
The first pile was driven in on 16 September 1935, an act carried out by Puck van Heel. During the construction process, Van Zandvliet organized a load test, where 1,500 sailors and unemployed people were invited to simulate a crowd of fans to test the strength of the stands.
The stadium was officially opened on 27 March 1937, with a match between Feyenoord and Beerschot, which attracted 40,000 spectators. Shortly afterward, in May of the same year, De Kuip hosted its first international match, with the Dutch national team beating Belgium 1–0.
Renovations and Refurbishment
By 1994, the stadium was outdated (compared to stadiums of the time) and could no longer accommodate the grandeur of the club and the enthusiast’s red and white fans.
Therefore, it was decided to renovate the facilities to modernize them and increase their functionality. The project was quite significant and even included a Feyenoord museum and event spaces. The renovation also brought significant improvements, such as installing a roof that protects 85% of the seats and replacing fences around the pitch with a security moat. With the renovation, the stadium’s capacity increased to 47,500 spectators.
The then-new stadium was officially reopened on November 16, 1994, in a ceremony led by Prince Willem-Alexander before a game between the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.
The stadium underwent several renovations in the following years, modernizing and improving it to meet the needs of fans, players, staff, and workers. Steel grandstands, covered seating, VIP facilities, accessibility features, platforms, and new bathrooms are examples of changes that have transformed the space into an even safer and more modern place for all visitors.
Important Matches
The stadium has hosted many important matches and has seen many shouts and tears (whether happy or not). The vibrant atmosphere has seen over 150 international matches, starting with a game against Belgium on 2 May 1937. In 1963, it hosted the European Cup Winners’ Cup final, where Tottenham Hotspur became the first British club to win a European trophy, defeating Atlético Madrid 5–1. The stadium has also hosted a record ten European finals, including the 2002 UEFA Cup final, where home team Feyenoord beat Borussia Dortmund 3–2. This made Feyenoord the only club to win a single-leg European final in their own stadium. In 2000, De Kuip hosted the European Championship final, where France beat Italy 2–1 after extra time. Most recently, in 2023, the stadium hosted the UEFA Nations League final.
Multifunctionality Is The Keyword!
One of the ideas behind the renovation of the stadium was to transform it into a multifunctional venue capable of being used for 300 days a year instead of 30! And that is precisely what happened. De Kuip has become an icon in the history of concerts. The first music event held at the stadium occurred in 1978 with Bob Dylan. The concert was a huge success, attracting at least 52,000 spectators. Since then, many international stars have performed there, delighting thousands of fans. Top Dutch artists such as Marco Borsato, René Froger, Doe Maar, and Kane have achieved legendary status there. In addition, international greats such as U2, Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Bon Jovi have also performed at De Kuip, cementing the stadium as a focal point of the music scene.
A Perfect Place For An Event!
Imagine how incredible it would be to be able to combine football with your birthday. Or combine a work meeting that is not always very pleasant and transform it into something dynamic? At De Kuip, it is possible! The stadium offers a modern and versatile infrastructure, including VIP areas, a restaurant, match-day boxes, and several event rooms.
These rooms are designed to accommodate a wide range of events, such as conferences, parties, and concerts. Their capacities range from 10 to 2,500 people, catering to both small groups and large audiences.
In addition, the stadium has its own catering service, offering a variety of cuisine, including a breakfast buffet with sandwiches and fresh fruit, special lunch buffets, and delicious desserts. Dinners are also served à la carte, in buffet format, or as a buffet dinner. The excellent food quality provides an incredible gastronomic experience for all visitors.
Another thing that sets them apart is that they have a team that can help you organize your party or event. They will provide you with full support, from decoration to entertainment, audiovisual support, and culinary wishes.
Stadium Tours
If you’ve made it this far and are excited about visiting De Kuip, the good news is that the stadium offers a variety of tour options for visitors of all ages and interests. On the tour, you’ll feel like a Feyenoord player walking through the players’ tunnel and standing next to the pitch.
During the tour, you’ll visit the team’s dressing room and the revamped Feyenoord Museum, where you’ll learn about the club’s rich history and culture.
In addition to the standard tour, there are other tours to choose from:
- Group Tour: Ideal for larger groups, this tour offers a personalized experience, with an expert guide sharing exclusive details about the stadium and the club.
- Kidstour: Especially for younger fans, this tour includes interactive activities and fun stories about Feyenoord.
- Birthday Party: Unforgettably celebrate a birthday with a themed party at the stadium, including a visit to the pitch and the dressing room.
- School Tour: Designed for school groups, this educational tour offers a unique insight into the stadium and the club’s history and includes educational activities.
- Disabled Tour: This tour is accessible to all and adapted for visitors with special needs, ensuring everyone can enjoy the full experience.
- Match Tour: Combines the excitement of a match with a guided tour of the stadium, exploring exclusive areas before watching Feyenoord in action.
Tours run from Wednesday to Saturday, with prices starting from €11 per person.
Tickets at De Kuip
Tickets for Feyenoord matches can be purchased online or at the Service & Ticket counters located at De Kuip Stadium. If tickets are still available, they can also be purchased at the stadium ticket office from 3.5 hours before kick-off. However, due to high demand, especially for league matches, it is advisable to buy tickets in advance.
For certain matches classified as high-risk (when there is a higher risk of fighting between fans), fans are required to have a Feyenoord Club Card in order to purchase tickets.
Ticket prices vary depending on the seating position, with prices ranging from €23.50 for seats in the lower tier behind the goals to €48.50 for central seats on the sides of the stadium.
How To Get To Stadion Feijenoord
The Feijenoor Stadion is located on the south bank of the Meuse River, just a few hundred meters from the river. It is around 4.5 kilometers from Rotterdam city center and over 5.5 kilometers from the central railway station. There are a lot of options for public transport on how to get there:
By Tram
From Rotterdam Central Station:
- Take tram 23 (direction Beverwaard) and get off at Stadion Feijenoord station.
- On match days, you can also take tram 12 (direction Beverwaard).
From Lombardijen Train Station:
- Take tram 2 (direction Charlois) or tram 20 (direction Centraal Station) and get off at Breeplein station. From there, it is a 5-minute walk via Breeweg over the stadium viaduct.
- On match days, the tram is free of charge 3 hours before kick-off and up to 3 hours after the end if you show your valid ticket. (This service does not operate on non-matchdays).
By Train
Rotterdam Stadion Station:
- The train station is only open on match days and major events. Only Sprinter trains stop at this station.
Other Stations Nearby (15 minutes walk):
- Rotterdam Zuid
- Rotterdam Lombardijen
By Bus
From Rotterdam Zuidplein:
- Take bus 77 (direction SS Rotterdam) and get off at Breeplein station. From there, it is a 5-minute walk via Breeweg over the stadium viaduct.
- On match days, the bus is free 3 hours before kick-off and up to 3 hours after the end, with a valid ticket (This service does not operate on non-matchdays).
By Metro
- Line D (direction Rotterdam Central Station) or Line E (direction Den Haag):
- Get off at Wilhelminaplein station and change to tram 23 (direction Beverwaard) or tram 12 (direction Beverwaard on match days).
By Bicycle
- Parking is available next to the ticket offices (Olympiaweg 50, Rotterdam)—space for over 600 bicycles.
By Water Taxi
- Disembark at the Stadion Feyenoord pier (number 10), a 5-minute walk from the stadium.
By Car
- The stadium is easily accessible via the A16. If you are coming from the north, take exit 24 Feijenoord, the first exit after the Van Brienenoord bridge. Follow Stadionweg West until you reach the stadium.
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