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The Olympic Stadium is a testament to sporting excellence and architectural splendor. Built for the 1928 Summer Olympics, this historic arena has since become a landmark, symbolizing the city’s enduring passion for sports and culture. Beyond its initial role as a stage for international athletic feats, the stadium has evolved into a versatile icon, hosting all kinds of sports and competitions, blending a rich history with contemporary relevance.
In this article, we will cover the main aspects of this iconic stadium that goes far beyond just a building created for the Olympic Games. Make sure to take a look at each element to see why this is considered one of the most essential venues in Amsterdam.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam.
Table of Contents
Location of the Olympic Stadium and Construction
As you might expect, the arena is located in Amsterdam, near the center of the city and some of the most important attractions, including the Anne Frank House and others. This privileged location is one of the reasons why people all over the world love this venue for sporting events, from football matches to Olympic competitions.
Known in Dutch as Olympisch Stadion Amsterdam, the arena started its construction efforts in 1927, taking one year to open for competitions. Since that day, it has become the main venue in the Netherlands for this kind of competition.
The main grass field also makes it one of the most used arenas for football events in the region. It is a versatile facility suitable for hosting any kind of event.
Combination of Architecture and Functionality
One of the reasons this venue is so loved by all Europeans, and especially Amsterdammers, is its architecture, which catches the attention of everyone passing by. The idea was very bold at the time it was planned, and it is a true show of design and technology combined.
Designed by architect Jan Wils, the oval-shaped arena was built to adapt to various types of competition and situations. The field is big enough to host different sports and event sizes, creating the perfect set in the Netherlands for all needs that might appear.
The cycle track around the athletics has a perimeter of 500 meters, while the field in the middle measures 114 by 75 meters when prepared for football matches. Adding or removing the elements of the field also doesn’t take much work as the entire structure was planned to be more modular, as we see in other fields from Europe.
Football x Olympic Stadium
Even though the Olympic Stadium was built especially for the competition and the Olympic experience Amsterdam wanted to offer for the competition, it is far from being the only time it was used. The stadium is frequently used for all kinds of events, especially when it comes to football.
It is also the main arena for the sport, and it is not rare to see teams from all over the world playing on the field. Even though football is the main use of its structure throughout the year, it is not home to any specific team from Amsterdam, the Netherlands in general, or any other part of the continent.
The capacity for this kind of event is also not the biggest in Europe, and Olympisch Stadion can seat a little over 22 thousand visitors per match. This might look small compared to other arenas like Camp Nou or other venues, but this is not a huge surprise when we consider the size and population of the Netherlands.
Curiosities About the Arena
Now, we will show you some of the main facts and curiosities you probably didn’t know about this iconic venue and its history. Make sure to take a look at each item below to become an expert on the matter and make it easier if you plan on visiting this fantastic spot in Amsterdam.
We will cover everything you need to know, from iconic events to general facts about the arena. Here are the main facts about Olympisch Stadion you probably didn’t know:
Permanent Olympic Flame
The tower in the stadium might look like an antenna of some kind or signal receptor, but it is actually an ashtray with deep meaning to the Olympics and the arena as a whole. Known as “the ashtray of KLM pilots,” the ashtray carried the flame and kept it burning throughout the entire tournament. This was the first time this was done in an Olympic competition, and since then, almost every nation hosting the event has done the same.
Even though this specific Olympic event was hosted almost a century ago, you can still see the same ashtray at the top of the brick tower. It is one of the many details that make this construction so meaningful and beautiful to see. If it’s your first time seeing the stadium, this is just the beginning of its curiosities.
Other Sports and Competitions
Even though football was the main use of the arena located in Amsterdam Zuid, it is not the only sport you’ll see taking place on the field. An infinity of competitions and sports have already taken place in the stadium, attracting players from all over the world.
One primary example is the World League of American Football, with games being hosted in the Amsterdanian ground twice. The place also hosted the 2016 European Athletics Championship, the Amsterdam Marathon, and many other events.
It is a versatile venue and one of the greatest places in Europe for this kind of event, for both players and visitors enjoying the shows. The view from every spot of the stadium is great, and you’ll have a great time, regardless of the type of event or where you’re sitting.
Events in the Arena
Sports is not the only kind of event you’ll see happening in this venue. Thanks to its versatility and modularity, it is also one of the preferred locations for significant events in the Netherlands.
One of the most common uses beyond sports is concerts. It is common to see big venues of this kind being hosted inside the arena for locals and tourists from all over the world.
One of the most common concerts in the arena is the famous Oranjebloesem Festival, a techno music party with multiple stages and artists playing the best of EDM and rave for people to enjoy and celebrate. This is one of the most popular parties in the country, but it’s far from the only one you’ll find happening at Oplympisch Stadion.
In addition to these concerts, you can also organize an event for yourself inside the arena. Several spaces can be rented for all kinds of occasions, including parties and birthdays.
Touring Olympic Stadium Amsterdam
Touring the stadium is also possible and one of the best experiences you can have when visiting Amsterdam. You’ll be guided through the main rooms and spaces in the building, discovering secrets about the place and curiosities even some locals don’t know about its history.
Notice that this activity should be booked at least a month in advance to avoid any problems along the way. You can do it through the stadium’s official website through an easy process.
The visit is also not free and happens per group of 5 people. It costs 12,50 euros for each person and is absolutely worth the money. You can also easily find a spot to park your car inside the arena, so don’t worry about that if you’re using your car to visit the country or a rented one.
Renovation Process
Even though the design and construction of this arena were top-tier for their time, it still had to undergo a renovation process to update its technology and overall structure. This operation took place in 1996 and took four years to complete.
Olympic Stadium reopened in 2000, bigger and improved, but preserving the original architecture and elements that make it loved by everyone, including the traditional ashtray on the top. The process expanded existing areas and added new ones, updating them and making the field even better for visitors and competitors using its grounds.
This made it an even better stadium for football games, with a more technologically advanced grass field that is easy to maintain and has superior quality compared to the previous one. Whether for friendly matches or international events, playing on Olympisch Stadion is always a good idea.
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