Amsterdam ArenA

Amsterdam ArenA is a stadium in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The stadium was built from 1993 to 1996 at a cost of 140 million, and was officially opened on August 14, 1996. It has been used for association football, American football, concerts, and other events. The stadium has a retractable roof combined with a grass surface. It has a capacity of 51,628 seats during sports matches and 68,000 places during concerts.

The stadium is the home of the association football club AFC Ajax (1996-present) and was the home of the now-retired American football club Amsterdam Admirals (1996-2007). It was one of the stadiums used during UEFA Euro 2000. Dutch and international artists gave concerts in the ArenA, such as André Hazes and The Rolling Stones. Every year the dance event Sensation is held in the stadium.

Sport

Football match of Ajax versus NEC in the ArenA in 2006

The inaugural match was between the home team Ajax and AC Milan which ended in a 0-3 win by Milan. The first goal was scored by Dejan Savićević.

The stadium is the home of AFC Ajax in the Eredivisie.

The UEFA Champions League 1997-98 final was played in the ArenA.

It was also one of the stadiums in UEFA Euro 2000.

After the death of Rinus Michels in 2005, Ajax fans tried to convince the stadium’s board to rebrand the stadium as the Rinus Michels Stadium. The board refused, however at every Ajax home game Ajax fans bring a large banner displaying the words ‘Rinus Michels Stadion’.

The stadium was also the home of the American football team Amsterdam Admirals, until the NFL Europa ended its European competition in June 2007. They played over 50 matches in the stadium from 1997 to 2007. World Bowl IX was played at the ArenA in 2001, when the Berlin Thunder defeated the Barcelona Dragons.

Music

The white edition of Sensation in the ArenA in 2006

Tina Turner was the first singer who gave a concert in the ArenA during her Wildest Dreams Tour, with more than 150,000 people attending the three sold-out concerts in September 1996. Whilst Michael Jackson played five nights at the ArenA during the ‘HIStory World Tour in 1996 and 1997 to over 250,000 fans.

Despite frequent complaints about the acoustics of the Arena, concerts are often held in the stadium. Stars such as Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Céline Dion, George Michael, David Bowie, Bon Jovi, Eminem, Robbie Williams, Andre Hazes, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Justin Timberlake, The Rolling Stones, Genesis, U2, Metallica, Madonna and The Police have played the venue over the years.

The stadium is also host to dance event Sensation.

(source .. wikipedia) reproduced under GFDL

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>AFC Ajax official website
Amsterdam ArenA official website
Royal Netherlands Football Association (Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond or KNVB)
wikipedia entry
Football Ringtones
Bet with Paddy Power
FIFA
UEFA

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