STADIAWORLD | SPORTS VENUES 2020/21

62    |   SPORTS VENUES 2020/21 www.stadiaworld.com A msterdam: The capital of the Netherlands is known all over the world because of its count- less canals that flow past narrow but tall brick houses all across the city. Famous local museums are brimming with works of great Dutch artists such as Rembrandt or Van Gogh. 24 years after its opening the Johan Cruijff ArenA has long since become an important attraction of the city. What’s more, a sec- ond city centre with numerous offices, res - taurants and entertainment offerings has sprung up around the stadium in the south- east of Amsterdam. The Ziggo Dome, an in- door arena with 17,000 seats that opened in 2012, is also located close to the stadium. Initially the UEFA EURO 2020 was sched- uled for this summer and Amsterdam was supposed to be part of it. Due to the Corona pandemic the tournament was postponed to next year and at first it was not certain whether the Johan Cruijff ArenA would still be a playing site of the event. But after many discussions with all parties involved the European championship will still take place in Amsterdam in 2021. It is already decided that the Netherlands will play three times in Amsterdam against Ukraine, Austria and the winner of a play- off path. The round of sixteen match is also held in the Johan Cruijff ArenA. Because of the enormous demands of UEFA a few ad- justments have to be made shortly before the start of the tournament. “We have to enlarge the press grandstand and for this purpose we will build a press village next to the stadium. A safety ring is also required”, says CEO Henk Markerink in conversation with STADIAWORLD. “The communica- tion with UEFA is very good, monthly visits of the continental association are the rule.” 20 years after first EURO This is not the first European championship located in Amsterdam. In 2000 five match - es took place in the Amsterdam ArenA. However, the stadium was not solely built for the tournament because the plans for the new home of Ajax go back to the 1980s Dutch powerhouse For 24 years now the Johan Cruijff ArenA has been the flagship stadium of the Netherlands. Top events like the postponed UEFA EURO 2020 push those responsible again and again to peak performances. Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam is the biggest stadium in the Netherlands. Picture: Johan Cruijff ArenA