The new Stadium

In June 1996, Ajax will move to a new stadium, called the Amsterdam Arena. Currently, the Stadium is under construction in the South-East of Amsterdam. It will be unique in Europe, because it's the first stadium on this side of the ocean with a fully retractable roof. Total cost is estimated at 202 million Dutch guilders (US $134 million).
Some 52,000 seats will supply a perfect view on the pitch for all spectators. Inside the stadium are 60 VIP boxes that cost Fl.100,000.- per season (about US $70,000). There already sold out, together with 2,000 business seats. This means that Ajax will make Loadsamoney in the Amsterdam Arena!


Now the outside of the ArenA is nearing it's completion, the stadium turns out to be a spectacular sight. At late december 1995 I went to the buildingsite and took some pictures by night (with an oustide temp. of minus 6 degrees celsius!). You can see the result by clicking on this link. Processing of the picture was done by Michielß. More of the pictures by night can be found at his Ajax page.

More pictures:

A picture of the new stadium (90K JPEG).
Picture of the seat that will be used
Another picture of the seat, this time from another angle Scans by FransS
Some pictures at the FransS Ajax gallery
Some pictures from the MichielB collection

Stadium Trivia:
Length: 235 meters
Height: 85 meters
Width: 165 meters

The retractable roof consists of two panels, each measuring 80x120 meters. This part costs 16 million, the fixed part of the roof 24 million guilders. The surface of the roof will be 38,000 square meters.

To prevent the grass from drying out, the roof is transparant. There are also four spaces in each corner of the stadium to let air through, so the grass can breath.

Underneath the stadium runs a highway. The playfield is at 7 meters above sea level.

Ajax will invest the money made in the UEFA Champions League, to build a section for the youth program. This will total about 20 million.