A tour of the Ajax football stadium
Discover the world of the "Jews" group
The Johan Cruijff Arena, located in the vibrant city of Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, stands as a symbol of sporting excellence alongside exceptional innovation. The spectacular stadium is the home of the Ajax soccer team, one of the most successful soccer clubs in the world that boasts a list of titles as long as the exile.
A visit to the iconic stadium will take you to a fascinating and exciting experience, in which you will dive into the passion, heritage and vision of the Dutch football culture. Whether you are die-hard football fans or whether you are traveling through the city of canals looking for a unique and adrenaline-filled experience, stay with us:
Johan Cruyff Stadium:
The Ajax football team boasts a rich history that has shaped the cultural and sporting heritage of the vibrant city. The iconic stadium was built in the mid-90s, when the Ajax team was looking for a new hall of fame to call home, after playing their home games at the Estadio de Mer and the Olympic Stadium, which were outdated and small to meet the growing demand to watch the games of the popular club in the city.
The construction of the stadium, first called the Amsterdam Arena (Amsterdam ArenA), began in 1993 and was considered an ambitious and innovative venture with one goal - to create a magnificent and innovative football stadium.
The state-of-the-art stadium opened its doors in August 1996, with a festive opening match between Ajax and AC Milan. The stadium was the first of its kind in Europe, with an innovative retractable roof, and a capacity of over 54,000 spectators, and was quickly considered one of the modern stadiums on the continent.
During the two decades that the stadium was alive and kicking, the Amsterdam Arena hosted first-class football matches, such as the finals of the UEFA Champions League, and it became a sanctuary for international artists who come to tour the city of Amsterdam, among them the Rolling Stones, who were the first to perform in the hall, and was followed by many artists such as Michael Jackson, U2 and Beyoncé.
In 2018, following the death of Johan Cruyff, it was decided that the stadium would change its name and henceforth be called "Johan Cruyff Arena". Cruyff, considered one of the greatest footballers in history, had a great impact on the Ajax football club, both as a player and as a coach.
Today, the Johan Cruyff Stadium stands as a symbol and a beacon of the glorious past of Dutch football alongside the present that is still woven in it with the games of the legendary Ajax team and the Dutch national team which also calls the stadium home. The iconic stadium attracts crowds of visitors every year, who come to witness its architectural splendor alongside a journey through the history of Dutch football.
The legendary football club Ajax (AFC Ajax):
Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax, known as AFC Ajax or simply Ajax, is considered one of the most prestigious football clubs in Europe. The club, founded in 1900, boasts a rich history and many titles, and has maintained its status as a first-class club in the Netherlands and throughout Europe for decades.
It is impossible to talk about Ajax without referring to its young generation, as the club is known for its strong youth academy, the "De Toekomst" academy, loosely translated - the academy of the future. Over the years, the professional academy has raised and nurtured world-class players who have been integrated into the club and other European leagues, including the legends Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard, Dennis Bergkamp alongside more recent stars such as Matthijs de Licht and Frankie de Jong.
Now we will return to the club itself, and tell you that it boasts a string of successes, both in the Dutch league and in the European football competitions. The club is considered the most successful in the Netherlands, and it holds 36 championships in the Dutch Premier League and 20 cups in the Dutch Cup competition. In the Europa League, the club won the prestigious UEFA Champions League tournament, formerly known as the European Cup, four times, with their last victory being in 1995.
Ajax's style of play is characterized by the concept of "Total Football", a tactical theory in which every player can take over the role of every other player in the team. The style of play was led by Rinus Michels, a Dutch football and coach, together with Johan Cruyff, who was a key player in the years when the system developed.
The Jewish connection:
Those of you who are familiar with the world of football, surely know that the nickname of the Ajax team is "the Jews". But where did it come from?
In fact, the original stadium where the team played for most of its years of existence was located near the Jewish neighborhood in Amsterdam, and the team was partly composed of Jewish players, Jewish management as well as many Jewish fans. Over time, the team's fans adopted the nickname "Jews", and made the symbols of Judaism - the Star of David and the Israeli flag - part of the team's identity.
At the team's games, you can hear Ajax fans singing songs about Ajax being a Jewish team, and you can see many fans being proud of signs and flags related to Judaism and Israel, even if they are not Jewish at all.
A tour of the Ajax football stadium
So after we told you about the history of the iconic stadium and the story of the legendary Ajax team, it's time to go on a tour of the stadium. You can choose an independent tour, where you explore the walls of the spectacular stadium yourself, or you can choose an exclusive guided tour with a close guide who will enthusiastically tell you about each and every part of the magical stadium.
No matter which one of the tours you choose, the tour experience is an exciting journey that offers stadium visitors an exclusive point of view behind the scenes of one of the largest stadiums in Europe.
The tour lasts between one and two hours, depending on the option chosen, during which you will have the opportunity to explore different parts of the stadium that are not normally accessible to the general public.
During the tour you will visit the field itself, where you can feel the power of the huge grass field, and imagine the electrifying atmosphere there on game days.
From there, you will continue to the interior spaces of the stadium and visit the players' dressing rooms, where Ajax stars prepare for their games. Imagine the energy, anticipation and strategies that fill the secret space before each game.
The tour will also take you to the area where interviews are held with the team's players after games, and the press conference room where important announcements are made along with analyzes and commentary during and after the game.
On the guided tour of the stadium, the VIP tour, you will also reach skybox, a beautiful rooftop bar where you can enjoy a refreshing drink alongside an iconic view of the stadium and the beautiful city.
It is recommended to book the tour in advance, especially in the busy summer months.
Also, please note that the availability of certain areas may change due to events or game schedules.
Questions and Answers
The stadium is open to visitors on days when there is no home game, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays the stadium is open from 9:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m.
The stadium's opening hours may change, so it is recommended to check the stadium's official website before arriving.
No. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid arriving with large bags for the tour, because it is not possible to enter the stadium with large bags or luggage.
All tours, both the independent tour and the guided tour start at entrance E near the stadium souvenir shop.
Yes. There is parking near the entrance to the stadium.
At: Burgemeester Stramanweg 130
1101 E.P. Amsterdam
Parking is paid.
Yes. It is allowed to take photos with smartphones or small cameras. Large cameras cannot be brought into the stadium.
An independent tour of the stadium usually takes between an hour and an hour and a half.
Johan Cruyff Arena - location and directions:
The Johan Cruyff Stadium is located in the south-east of the city of Amsterdam, in the Amsterdam-Zuidoost neighborhood.
The stadium can be reached by metro line, from the city center to the Strandvliet metro station. You can also reach the Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA station by train, which is located near the stadium. If you are coming from the city center, get on a train at Amsterdam Central Station, a journey that will take you about 15 minutes. Several bus lines also arrive near the stadium, including lines 29, 44, 47, 66 and 120
A tour of the Johan Cruyff Stadium is much more than a visit to a football stadium of one team or another, but a deep dive into Amsterdam's sporting heritage. During the tour you will gain insights and enrich your knowledge about professional football, and you will dive into the world of Johan Cruyff, one of the greatest footballers in history. So when you arrive in the iconic city of Amsterdam, don't miss out on a trip to the spectacular football stadium Johan Cruyff Arena.
