It was my friend Tony's 60th birthday and we (the two of us and our wives) were going to Amsterdam for a long weekend. Arsenal were playing in a pre-season tournament at the Ajax stadium along with Panathinaikos and River Plate. I treated my friend to a ticket for the Ajax v Arsenal game. We were staying in a new Ibis hotel, Amsterdam-Westcorner at Sloterdijk, just outside Amsterdam. Getting to the ground was easy, using the overground light railway straight to the ground without changes. Security going into the stadium was sensible and quick. Our biggest problem was getting to our seats, quite high up in the stadium... we were almost on our knees as we reached the top of the almost endless stairs. The atmosphere and entertainment within the stadium was excellent... lots of music and singing, and at half-time a radio-controlled balloon was flown over the terraces and dropped numbered ping-pong balls which the spectators could catch and use to claim a prize on the sponsor's website. There was also a compressed-air cannon that was pushed around the perimeter of the pitch and used to fire gifts into the crowd. The pitch itself is surrounded by a dry moat, so any balls kicked into the crowd stayed there as a gift for whoever was lucky enough to catch them. A nice ground with easy access and a good atmosphere, no feeling of being an outsider or feeling threatened - the only disappointment was a goalless draw!
Updated Aug 23, 2006
The stadium seats some 52,000 spectators and has a retractable roof. Sadly when we visited the stadium they were preparing for a show by "Toppers". In addition to the stadium there is the Ajax museum.
The tour was, I have to admit, rather disappointing. It may have been due to the stadium being getting set up to host a show or the fact that the tour was inundated with an under 14's English football team on a Holland tour.
The show that was being prepared for was "Toppers in Concert".
Updated Jun 4, 2006
Address: Arena Boulevard 1, Bijlmermeer
Website: www.ajax.nl
The stadium of Ajax is one of the few interesting sportpalaces of the capital of Holland.
The stadium opened in 1995 and has a capacity of 51.000 seats.
Besides footballclub Ajax is it used for matches of American Football club Amsterdam Admirals or big concerts.
Equipment: The prices in the stadium are to high and you need to buy a sort of chipcard to pay your food and drinks. This card will cost you at least ? 10,- and it is not reloadable; and thats a big shame.
Written Nov 27, 2005
Website: www.amsterdamarena.nl
I grew up watching the football of Ajax in the 70`s,players such as Johaan Cruyff,Ruud krol,then Marco van Basten,sheer class.Then perhaps one of the finest players ever to grace the English game...Dennis Bergkamp,who now plays for Arsenal.The traditions of Dutch football many other teams have tried to copy,not many have suceeded.
Equipment: Bring your camera,but being Vters,when are we ever without them !!!
Written Jun 4, 2005
Address: Amsterdam Arena
Amsterdam Arena is definately worth checking out! I have been fortunate enough to see many great stadia along the lines of Camp Nou, Old Trafford, the old Wembley, Toronto Skydome, Le Stade De France and many others. The Amsterdam Arena ranks right up there with the best. We arrived at the complex on a Saturday, whilst the team were playing an away match. We took the tour around the stadium, but unfortunately the museum was closed. Never the less, it was a great experience, and the scale of the place was huge! The colouring of the seats left a little to be desired, but the tour guide was very informative and helpful, and even gave us all a CD of Ajax songs each. To be fair, the CD was rubbish, but they do say that it's the thought that counts!
Written Mar 9, 2005
The Amsterdam ArenA is the official home of the famous Ajax Football Club in Amsterdam, its is however also used for a number of other things such as Nederlands National Soccer team ( Oranje), American football and music concerts, to probably name but a few. It's not too far from the centrum and is served by two train stations, Duivendrecht railway station is about 15 minutes from the Arena, whilst the Bijlmer station is only 5 minutes away ( This station was being renovated - not sure if it's all finished yet). The ArenA is an impressive place to watch sports, I visited it to see my team Celtic defeat Ajax in it during a champions league qualifier, the design is pretty stunning with what appears to be a highway going directly underneath the playing surface.
Updated Jul 7, 2004
Website: www.amsterdamarena.nl
I went to my very first European professional football (soccer) game in Amsterdam. I have travelled to Europe many times before but for some reason never took in a football game despite the fact that I am quite fond of the game.
I was directed by the tourist office to where I could pick up tickets and found this to be quite easy. They cost me about $40.00US and to be honest they were not that good. However I did enjoy the game which Ajax won 2-0 against RBC. I also found the stadium, Amsterdam ArenA to be quite interesting. It was brand new and spotless clean. Supposedly the roof closes just like my own Skydome in Toronto. Also of interest is that the stadium is build well above the ground instead of into the ground as in the way most modern stadiums are built. I assume this is because of the marshy soil that surrounds Amsterdam. A good idea since it can get rather wet in Amsterdam. Too bad that McDonalds holds the consession rights.
Written Jun 13, 2004
Address: ArenA Boulevard
Phone: (++31)20.3111336
Website: www.amsterdamarena.nl/
One of the finast and most exciting football clubs in Europe is Ajax Amsterdam.
It is Ajax Amsterdam that brought us those wonderful players as Johan Cruyff, Marco Van Basten and many others.
Updated Apr 4, 2004
Address: Postbus 12522, 1100 AM Amsterdam-ZO
Phone: 020 - 3111444
Website: www.ajax.nl
A club who has made players like Kluivert, Davids, Bergkamp, Litmanen, de Boers brothers, Seedorf, Overmars, Kanu, Finidi to mention a few of the later stars that played for the Red&White.
One of the worlds greatest player ever is the inimitableCryuff who is set as the standard of the Ajax style.
Written Apr 28, 2003
Website: www.ajax.nl
Ajax Amsterdam, rich with football history and still enriching the pitces around the world. The best players come from Amsterdam and so they will go on. Grab a game in the futuristic Arena stadium, in which 60,000 fans can be seated. And witness the bold playing style of Amsterdam dareness...
Updated Mar 22, 2003
Address: Arena Boulevard 1
Website: www.ajax.nl
Sponsored Links
Seven Bridges Hotel Amsterdam
4 Reviews and 488 Opinions We almost stayed here. Looked like a charming hotel, although we didn’t see the rooms. It’s in a...
Banks Mansion Hotel Amsterdam
5 Reviews and 650 Opinions “But New Amsterdam remained comparatively intact. The tongues of nearly every European nation were...
Estherea Hotel Amsterdam
10 Reviews and 991 Opinions It was amazing to find such a special hotel in the middle of Amsterdam. I was surprised even if my...
AJAX - Arena tips and photos posted by real travelers and Amsterdam locals.
Write a Review
Ajax Amsterdam, rich with football history and still enriching the pitces around the world. The best players come from Amsterdam and so they will go on. Grab a...
1,969 members live in Amsterdam
Q: Ok I'm going to be traveling to Europe for the first time ever and am spending a week in Amsterdam and then 3 days in London! I...

A: I have been to Amsterdam 3 times and twice by myself. Great city. You didn't say when you are going. This is my "hit list": -Heineken Museum: great fun especially...
Read 8 Replies
1

I've got some interesting experiences in Amsterdam. I'd love to share with you the 385 tips I've written, the 1141 photos uploaded, and 21 travelogues I've created.
2
God made the Dutch, but the Dutch made Holland

I have had the opportunity to visit Amsterdam 7 times without going to a coffee house - seems almost unbelievable!! (then again who wants to be stoned out of your mind in a beautiful place like...
3

PetraE and I have taken several breaks in Amsterdam between 2002 and 2007 because we love it so much. This place is fun and lively and colourful and there is so much going on and so many interesting...
4

KWAKOE FESTIVAL The festival of the Surinamese community, every Saturday and Sunday from July 5 until August 10, 2008, 13-23 hrs. From the website: The Kwaku Summer Festival is the biggest...
5
Amsterdam, where the Dutch money is spend

Amsterdam, our historical and (too) tolerant capitol has a name that goes in between famous and infamous. The canals with their typical houses enchant many tourists, the Dam(-square) is a great place...
Build your own Amsterdam page
Sponsored Links