Information for fans travelling to Amsterdam - updated

Information for our supporters travelling to the Netherlands for our Champions League semi-final, second leg against Ajax on Wednesday night (8 May).

Kick-off is 9pm local time (8pm UK).

Warning – fake tickets

Update: 10am local time, Amsterdam, 8 May

Following meetings with local Police and UEFA, the Club strongly advises our supporters to avoid purchasing unofficial tickets in Amsterdam ahead of tonight’s semi-final, second leg at the Johan Cruyff ArenA. Our officials have been advised that a number of fake tickets are in circulation. Not only are these tickets priced extortionately, supporters will not gain entry through the stadium’s electronic turnstiles. Please avoid purchasing these tickets.

A reminder that tickets for tonight are SOLD OUT.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a popular destination that many fans will already be familiar with. If you’re travelling to the semi-final, however, it’s worth taking note of the information below as some arrangements, such as your routes around the city, and bars you can go to, may be different from those on a non-match day.

The Johan Cruyff Arena

The Johan Cruyff Arena is the main stadium in the Dutch capital. Opened in 1996, it is the largest stadium in the country. The stadium was previously known as the Amsterdam ArenA until this season, when it was officially renamed in honour of the legendary Ajax player Johan Cruyff. The stadium has a retractable roof combined with a grass surface. It has a capacity of 54,990.
The stadium held the 1998 Champions League and 2013 Europa League finals and was used during Euro 2000. It will also host three group stage matches and one match in the round of 16 of Euro 2020.

Arriving in Amsterdam

Dam Square has been proposed by the police as a fan meeting point. From there you’ll need to get to nearby Centraal Station metro-station at around 18:30 to arrive at the stadium in time.

Anyone without a ticket for the match is advised to stay in the city centre to watch the match on TV as there are no bars around the vicinity of the stadium. However, all fans should avoid the pubs Monico, Hof van Holland and surrounding bars at Rembrandtplein as they will be occupied by Ajax fans.

The club is rightly proud of the good behaviour of our fans during previous European travels.  Please uphold this by respecting local amenities and cultures; placing flags or banners on local statues or historic monuments or architecture may offend local inhabitants.

You are advised to carry your passport for identification purposes if required.

Getting to the Stadium

The address for the Johan Cruyff Arena is ArenA Boulevard 1, 1101 AX Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Public transport

The best way to get from Amsterdam city centre to the stadium is by Metro Line 54. You will be escorted on dedicated metro trains to Strandvliet-ArenA for the stadium.

The Amsterdam public transport service (GVB) no longer accepts cash when buying tickets on trams, buses or metro trains in Amsterdam. You can buy tickets by credit card (not American Express) on buses and trams or at payment points at main bus and tram stops, Amsterdam Central Station and Schiphol airport. Additional information can be found at GVB.

Driving

The Arena can be reached via the A1, A2, A9 and A10 motorways. From the A2 (Utrecht – Amsterdam) take exit S211(Ouderkerk a/d Amstel/Duivendrecht/Diemen). Follow the signs Amsterdam Zuidoost/Transferium at the end.

Cars and buses can be parked at P-Bus. From there it’s a short walk to the stadium entrance and metro station. You can park your car here during the daytime while going to the city centre. Tickets for cars cost €12 and for buses, €35. 

The nearest disabled parking is at P1, but these places will be sold out. All other parking garages in the stadium surroundings have disabled parking places and elevators. Ajax have suggested you use P4 / 5. Tickets can be bought and paid for inside the parking places or ordered through www.onlineticket.nl. Another possibility is to arrange a drop-off with a taxi. In this case, supporters should use the taxi stand at the stadium’s north end (near Endemol studios).

At the Stadium

You will enter the stadium at Entrance North K and your seats are in blocks 415, 416 and 417. Entrance K will open two hours prior to kick-off. Please arrive as early as you can as entry procedures might take some time.

The Amsterdam Police and Ajax may decide to put an extra ticket check in place in order to ensure a swift and secure ingress.

After this, a body search will take place by the stadium security staff. Sniffer dogs may be present to detect drugs or pyrotechnics. An electronic ticket check will be carried out at the turnstiles.

Accessing Wheelchair Platforms

Supporters using wheelchairs will enter through Entrance B and have been allocated spaces behind the goal on the wooden platform, accessed by the ramp shown.  Although near the home supporters, we have been assured that there are no issues and that they are very respectful towards disabled away supporters.

You will enter through this entrance and go up to the main level via the lift.

Stewards will be present to assist from the stadium entrance to the designated space. Please be aware that wheelchair users must be accompanied by an adult helper who is able to assist in case of an evacuation. There are accessible toilets situated near the seating area.

Catering staff are present at the wheelchair places to deliver food and drinks.

There is a lift to the away section for supporters with mobility problems and fans will be accompanied by Ajax stewards.

Flags

Flags are welcomed in the stadium. As always, please note that it is common policy and normal ground rules at football stadiums in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, that flags of an overtly religious/sectarian/political nature will not be permitted and may be confiscated. Please respect this request.

Cashless

Payments at concession stands can only be made with credit and debit cards. The contactless payment system increases swift and hygienic service.

Alcohol

Alcohol will be served before the match but not at half-time.

Official bag policy

Please leave your bags in the bus, car or hotel. Bags larger than A4 size are not allowed in the stadium. There are no bag deposits available.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in the entire stadium complex.

Leaving the Stadium

After the match, visiting team supporters are asked to wait in their sector in order to ensure a safe egress. Police will accompany supporters to the parking area and / or Subway station.

Stadium tours

Stadium tours are operated daily (except matchdays) from the Johan Cruyff Arena’s Main Entrance.

Further information

Further information on your visit via the British Consulate General in Amsterdam

Please be mindful of active pickpockets and ensure all belongings, including your match ticket, are always kept safe.

The local time is one hour ahead of the UK, and the local currency is the Euro.

Please remember to have the correct Travel Insurance prior to travelling.

If you experience any problems while in Amsterdam, please call the Travel Line – 07971 880445 and we will endeavour to assist.

Finally, remember that you are an ambassador for the Club and we want you and the people of Amsterdam to have great memories of your visit.

We wish you a safe journey and look forward to seeing you in Amsterdam!

Advice from the Foreign Office

Information from the Police

Although Amsterdam is said to be a very liberal city, the Dutch National Police would like to inform visiting team supporters about some rules and procedures.

Crimes and offences:

• People arrested for small offences like possession of fireworks and drunk behaviour will have to pay a fine at the police station. For other crimes, people can be held for several days at a police station.

• Usually, those arrested will be held at the police station at the Flierbosdreef in the south-east of Amsterdam. You can reach this police station from the Johan Cruyff Arena by foot in about 10 minutes, or by taxi. Individuals who want to report a small crime around the Johan Cruyff Arena have to do so at the police station at the Flierbosdreef, telephone: 0900-8844.

For life-threatening situations call 112.

• Visitors are advised not to buy tickets at the black market or around the stadium. Most of these tickets are counterfeit.

• Visitors with counterfeit tickets will not be admitted to the stadium.

• Visitors should be aware of pickpocketing around the stadium and in the centre of Amsterdam.

• The use of “ACAB” or “1312” is considered an insult to the police and will be punished as a criminal offence.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol in public is not allowed in the streets of Amsterdam. Drunk people will not be admitted to the stadium.

Drugs

In the centre of Amsterdam, people have been known to try to sell drugs to visitors. It is not allowed to sell or buy drugs. Visitors are advised not to buy drugs. Drugs will not be allowed in the stadium and will be confiscated at the entrance.

Fireworks

Lighting and/or possessing fireworks and pyrotechnics is not allowed in the stadium or on the streets. Perpetrators will be arrested.