Johan Cruyff Arena — Attraction in Amsterdam

Big stadium, good location, come here with train.... Pictures 2019

The Johan Cruyff Arena (Dutch: Johan Cruijff Arena [ˈjoːɦɑn ˈkrœyf aːˌreːnaː]; officially stylised as Johan Cruijff ArenA) is the main stadium of the Dutch capital city of Amsterdam and the home stadium of football club AFC Ajax since its opening. Built from 1993 to 1996 at a cost equivalent to €140 million, it is the largest stadium in the country. The stadium was previously known as the Amsterdam Arena (stylised as Amsterdam ArenA) until the 2018–19 football season, when it was officially renamed in honour of legendary Dutch footballer Johan Cruyff who died in March 2016.

It was one of the stadiums used during UEFA Euro 2000, and also held the 1998 UEFA Champions League Final and 2013 Europa League finals. The stadium will also host three group stage matches and one match in the round of 16 of the UEFA Euro 2020, that is postponed to the summer of 2021.

Both international and Dutch artists have given concerts in the stadium, including Tina Turner, Coldplay, Take That, Celine Dion, Madonna, Michael Jackson, André Hazes, David Bowie, AC/DC, One Direction, The Rolling Stones, Beyoncé and Rihanna. The dance event Sensation was held in the stadium every year, up until the final edition in 2017.

The stadium has a retractable roof combined with a grass surface. It has a capacity of 55,500 people during football matches, and of 68,000 people during concerts if a centre-stage setup is used (the stage in the middle of the pitch); for end-stage concerts, the capacity is 50,000, and for concerts for which the stage is located in the east side of the stadium, the capacity is 35,000. It held UEFA five-star stadium status, which was superseded by a new system of classification.

Amsterdam was one of six cities that bid to host the 1992 Summer Olympics. In 1986, a new Olympic stadium was designed, with a football field and an athletics track. It was to be built in the area of Strandvliet in Amsterdam Zuidoost. After Amsterdam lost the bid to Barcelona in October 1986, the plans for the new stadium were abandoned. In 1987, the Stichting Amsterdam Sportstad (English: "Amsterdam Sports City Foundation") was established, which made new plans for a sports stadium with an all-seated capacity of 55,000. In 1990, a new design was made based on both previous designs, with a football field, an athletics track, and completely covered by a roof. By this time, AFC Ajax needed a new stadium, as their previous home ground, De Meer, was far too small for most of Ajax's games. For several years, Ajax had moved its more important games to Olympisch Stadion; in practice, they played all of their European fixtures and big midweek night games at Olympisch Stadion.

Once more, the design was altered – the athletics track was removed, the capacity was reduced to 50,000 seats, and the fixed roof was replaced by a retractable roof. In 1992, the Government of Amsterdam authorised the plans for the stadium with a Transferium where people could transfer from their car to various forms of public transportation. In 1993, the Government of Amsterdam changed the development plan of the location and gave a permit to build the stadium.

The first pile of the deep foundation of the stadium was placed on 26 November 1993. The construction work, undertaken by Ballast Nedam and Royal BAM Group,took almost three years. The highest point of the building was reached on 24 February 1995, after the roof construction was raised. The fly-over from the public road to the parking facilities was opened on 13 March 1996. The stadium received 180,000 visitors during the construction work, until the stadium was closed from 1 July 1996 until the opening ceremony.The stadium was officially opened on 14 August 1996 by Queen Beatrix.

Queen Beatrix opened the stadium by making a curtain fall inside the...

I recently had the pleasure of attending a Coldplay concert at the Johan Cruyff Arena, and I must say it was an unforgettable experience. The entire event was incredibly well-organized, and the arena itself exceeded my expectations in every aspect.

First and foremost, the Johan Cruyff Arena is a top-notch venue with state-of-the-art facilities. The seating layout provided excellent views from every section, ensuring that no matter where you were seated, you felt connected to the performance. The acoustics were outstanding, allowing the music to fill the space without any distortion or loss of clarity.

The arena's facilities were also commendable. The entrances were spacious and efficiently managed, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free entry for all attendees. The seating areas were comfortable and well-maintained, providing ample legroom and cushioning. The restrooms were clean and well-stocked, which is always appreciated during large-scale events.

One aspect that truly stood out was the overall organization of the event. The staff at the Johan Cruyff Arena demonstrated a remarkable level of professionalism and efficiency. They were readily available to assist and guide attendees, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish. The crowd management was commendable, with clear signage and helpful personnel directing people to their respective sections.

Additionally, the arena's amenities were plentiful. There were numerous food and beverage options available, catering to a wide range of preferences, and the quality of the offerings was excellent. The variety of merchandise stands allowed fans to purchase Coldplay memorabilia conveniently.

Furthermore, the Johan Cruyff Arena's location is advantageous, with excellent transportation links and ample parking options nearby. This accessibility makes attending events at the arena all the more convenient and stress-free.

In conclusion, my experience at the Johan Cruyff Arena for the Coldplay concert was nothing short of exceptional. The combination of a well-designed venue, top-notch facilities, and impeccable organization made for an unforgettable evening. Whether you're attending a concert or any other event, the Johan Cruyff Arena is undoubtedly a prime choice. I highly recommend this arena to music enthusiasts and...

I’m writing this review to express my complete disappointment and outrage with my friend’s experience at the Johan Cruyff Arena. He went to watch Ajax play, excited to take in the atmosphere, but instead was treated with unbelievable disrespect. Upon arriving at the stadium, a steward bizarrely mistook him for Sjak Troost, Feyenoord's greatest-ever player, and refused him entry. Yes, you read that right—denied entry because of a mistaken identity related to a rival club's legend!

What followed was even more disgraceful. The Ajax fans caught wind of the situation and, rather than seeing the absurdity of the steward’s mistake, turned hostile towards my friend. Their reaction put his safety at serious risk. Thankfully, he knows some Dutch wrestling and had to physically defend himself to escape a volatile situation. No one at the club stepped in to help, leaving him to fend for himself in what should have been a secure, professional environment.

To make matters worse, after this traumatic experience, he messaged Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag seeking some form of compensation, but instead of receiving a response, he was met with an out-of-office email. Eventually, Edwin van der Sar sent him a few stickers as a gesture of goodwill, but without any of the shiny ones, it felt more like an insult than an apology.

This whole experience was completely unacceptable. It put my friend in unnecessary danger, and the club’s lack of proper response only added to the frustration. I would strongly advise anyone to avoid this stadium until they address their stewarding issues and their fan behavior....