Johan Cruijff ArenA Stadium Tours and Ajax Match Days in Amsterdam

This guide is for people who have moved to Amsterdam from abroad and want to get to know the Johan Cruijff ArenA properly, whether that means a weekend stadium tour with the kids or a first Ajax match with friends from work. You will find out which tour suits whom, where match tickets actually come from, and which house rules catch newcomers out at the gate.

• Choosing a stadium tour
• Kids Days, birthdays and group tours
• Getting tickets for Ajax and other matches
• What to expect on an Ajax match day
• Getting there and finding your way
• FAQ

Choosing a stadium tour

The ArenA is home to Ajax and calls itself the largest stadium in the Netherlands. A tour takes you behind the scenes to the places where the players prepare for a match, and through moments from the stadium’s history. The stadium tours page lists three regular options.

Pick the Guided Tour if you want the stories. A guide shares the legendary moments, which helps if you are new to Dutch football and still working out why certain names matter so much here. The Self-guided tour lets you explore on your own, so it suits anyone who likes their own pace, or a toddler who will not stand still for a commentary. The VIP Tour opens doors that stay closed on the other routes, which makes it a good present for a serious fan.

The overview page does not list prices or start times, so the venue’s own site has the current details. On days without events the stadium is open Monday to Friday from 7 am to 6 pm and at weekends from 9 am to 6 pm, and you enter via main entrance E.

Kids Days, birthdays and group tours

For football-mad children, Kids Days are the one to look out for. Children explore the stadium with a guide, get closer to their Ajax heroes and play football in the ArenA themselves. If your child has just joined a local club, it is a lovely way to feel part of the city. There is also a birthday party option, pitched as a chance to feel like a football legend for a day, which takes a lot of the planning off your hands.

The group tours cover different moods. The Group tour with guide works for visiting family, colleagues or friends. The Innovation Tour looks at the people behind what happens on stage, and will probably interest grown-ups more than small children. ArenA x Heineken pairs the stadium with Heineken for a day trip; the ArenA serves no alcohol to under-18s at events, so check the booking details before bringing teenagers. ArenA meets Moco promises “the two worlds of Cruyff”, and a VR Experience shows the stadium in a new way. The venue’s site has the prices for all of these.

Getting tickets for Ajax and other matches

This is where many newcomers go wrong. The ArenA’s FAQ says tickets for Ajax matches are sold through the Ajax website, not by the stadium, and questions go to Ajax fancare. KNVB match tickets, if still available, are sold through the ticket shop on the ArenA’s website, and you need to create an account before you buy. Concert tickets come from the event organiser.

The stadium uses two ticket formats. Mobile only tickets can only be scanned from your phone. E-tickets work on your phone or on paper, and the ArenA advises bringing a printout in case your battery dies. If a ticket goes missing or the barcode gets damaged, contact the ticket organisation you bought it from; its name is printed on the ticket.

What to expect on an Ajax match day

The stadium opens 1.5 hours before an Ajax match starts, and main entrance E opens 2.5 hours before. KNVB matches and concerts have different times, listed in the event calendar.

Pack light. Bags of A4 size (30 cm x 21 cm x 10 cm) or smaller are allowed after a security check. Anything bigger is refused, and you cannot leave it at the gates. The stadium has no lockers either, so if you are coming from the office with a laptop bag, use Lockerpoint for a fee, either at ArenApoort above the Ziggo Dome or at ArenApoort P5 at Villa ArenA. Helmets are not allowed inside, so cyclists and scooter riders should plan ahead.

Do not bring your own food or drink; confiscated unopened items go to a food bank project in Amsterdam Southeast. What is on sale varies by section, and the event calendar shows what is available in yours. For a sit-down meal, the In the ArenA page lists House of Legends (Indonesian), Restaurant ON5TH by Lute® and the Glasgow ’72 Lounge.

Leave your cash at home, because the stadium only takes cards. Alcohol is not served to under-18s, and smoking is banned throughout.

Getting there and finding your way

The ArenA’s Mobility Portal plans your trip from your departure address and arrival time. Drivers should reserve parking in advance, and Wizzy Maps shows the closest garage and the entrance for your seat. Inside, escalators at main entrance E and entrances A, C, G, J and M go up to the first or second ring. Row numbers start at the bottom, so a low number puts you near the pitch.

There are toilets in every section, four first aid posts, lifts, and seating for wheelchair users. Visually impaired fans can use Ajax audio, and guide and assistance dogs are welcome. Uncollected lost property goes to the hospitality desk at main entrance E, and found items appear on iLost within 36 hours.

FAQ

Can I buy Ajax match tickets from the ArenA?

No. Ajax match tickets are sold through the Ajax website, and Ajax fancare answers questions about them. The ArenA’s own ticket shop sells KNVB match tickets while they last, and you need an account first.

Can I bring a backpack to a match?

Only if it is A4 size (30 cm x 21 cm x 10 cm) or smaller, and it will be checked at security. Larger bags are refused and cannot be stored at the entrances, so use one of the two Lockerpoint locations, which charge a fee.

Is a stadium tour suitable for children?

Yes. Kids Days are made for children, with a guided visit and the chance to play football in the ArenA, and there is a birthday party option. The Self-guided tour suits families who want to go at their own pace. The venue’s site has current prices.

Do I need cash at the stadium?

No. The stadium does not accept cash. You can pay by PIN debit card (including contactless), Mastercard, Visa, Visa Electron, AmEx and VPay.

Official sources: johancruijffarena.nl · johancruijffarena.nl · johancruijffarena.nl

Last checked: 8 November 2026 against the pages linked above. Prices, opening hours and programmes change; the venue’s own site always has the current details.