sport
Amsterdam Arena Prepares for 2026 Football Season with Major Events
Major events from the national calendar are set to pull local residents into stands and onto courses across the city this year.
How we reported this
The Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam will host the bulk of Netherlands national team home fixtures starting this August as the domestic football season gets under way.
The timing follows the side’s last-32 exit at the 2026 World Cup and places the city at the centre of supporter activity through the winter months. Football remains the dominant sport in the country, with the orange-clad crowd at national matches forming one of the most visible expressions of support.
Stadium at the heart of local support
The 56,120-capacity venue on the city’s south-east side serves as both the home ground for AFC Ajax and the primary location for Netherlands internationals. Ajax last claimed the Eredivisie title in 2022. Fans reach the ground via Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA station, and the arena also runs regular stadium tours that allow visitors to walk the pitch and stands.
Two other venues complete the national team circuit: Stadion Feyenoord in Rotterdam and Philips Stadion in Eindhoven. The Rotterdam ground, opened in 1937, holds 51,177 and has staged cup finals and the Euro 2000 final. Eindhoven’s smaller Philips Stadion, built in 1910, seats 35,000 and caters mainly to supporters in the south.
Events open to participants
Outside the league calendar, the city’s broader sports programme runs strongest between April and October. The Amsterdam Marathon and the Dutch Grand Prix sit among the headline dates that also welcome entrants rather than only spectators. The full domestic season stretches from August into May, giving supporters repeated opportunities to attend matches at the ArenA.
Residents looking to take part can check listings on amsterdamtips.com/sport-calendar for dates and entry details on running events and other participatory fixtures. The site groups fixtures by month and separates spectator and active categories so locals can plan accordingly.
Tickets for national team games and arena tours are available through official channels listed on the same calendar page. Early booking is advised for high-demand fixtures at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.