At least 12,000 fans in the stadium in Amsterdam for EURO 2020

At least 12,000 spectators will be able to attend EURO 2020 matches at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam. - Foto: KNVB Media

At least 12,000 spectators will be able to attend EURO 2020 matches at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam. Depending on developments surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic in June, there is a chance that more fans will be allowed inside the stadium. This ambition has been expressed jointly by the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB), the Dutch cabinet and the Amsterdam city council.

The tournament’s twelve host cities were given until Wednesday, April 7, to submit their scenarios to UEFA, explaining how the organisations think they will be able to welcome fans in the stands during this summer's European Championship. Four European Championship matches have been scheduled in the Johan Cruijff Arena for June. The scenario now submitted to UEFA is based on the assumption that at least 25 percent of the stadium’s net capacity will be feasible. All visitors wishing to attend will have to comply with the security protocols in place at the time and will only be granted access after presenting a negative test result.

Based on the results of various Fieldlab studies and the projections regarding the epidemiological situation in June, the KNVB, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport and the municipality of Amsterdam will consider whether it is possible to scale up the percentage of spectators. Should the COVID situation in June become worse than expected, the number of spectators may be adjusted downwards. For this purpose, a 'stop button' has been included in the protocol.

Safe, responsible and festive

This is a historic tournament, with the Netherlands as one of the host nations. Of course, fans should be part of it

"It is great that we are on track for a European Championship with fans in the stadium," says Gijs de Jong, EURO 2020 tournament director, in response. "This is a historic tournament, with the Netherlands as one of the host nations. Of course, fans should be part of it. It is fantastic that the Minister and the Mayor of Amsterdam are confident that a European Championship can be staged with fans in June in a safe, responsible and festive manner. We look forward to welcoming 12,000 spectators to the Johan Cruijff ArenA, but we are aware that the coronavirus is unpredictable and there are no guarantees. However, we remain hopeful that, come June, the situation will have improved to the point where we can allow even more spectators to attend."

After 21 years, Amsterdam will again play host to European Football Championship matches. The Johan Cruijff ArenA will be the venue for the Netherlands' EURO 2020 group matches against Ukraine (13 June), Austria (17 June) and North Macedonia (21 June). In addition, one of the Round of 16 matches is scheduled in Amsterdam for 26 June.

Countdown to a wonderful sports summer

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema: "We are a real football city and it is very special that we are part of this unique tournament. For many fans, this is something to look forward to. Together, we will make it a safe, responsible and well-organised tournament."

We are going to do our very best to make it not only a top-class sporting spectacle, but also a source of inspiration for people to take up sport themselves

Alderman Simone Kukenheim (sports), responsible for the organisation of EURO 2020 on behalf of the City of Amsterdam, adds: "It is wonderful to be able to host such an important international sporting event as EURO 2020. We are going to do our very best to make it not only a top-class sporting spectacle, but also a source of inspiration for people to take up sport themselves. Because watching football makes you want to play the game. Today, we are starting a warm-up event for the tournament: the European Football Championship on Tour, which will give young Amsterdammers the chance to enjoy free sports activities including football challenges and freestyle football clinics. This is our countdown to what we hope will be a wonderful sports summer, with the European Football Championship as one of the highlights." 

The European Football Championship on Tour will take place from 6 April to 25 June. During this period, a bus will tour the city to set up a range of football activities in around 30 squares. The activities are intended for children aged 6 to 12.

All depends on the epidemiological situation

Outgoing Sports Minister Tamara van Ark: "We are all looking forward to a relaxation of restrictions. Of course, the European Football Championship should be played in front of fans. In collaboration with the KNVB and the City of Amsterdam, we will ensure that fans will be able to attend matches involving the Dutch national team in a safe and responsible manner. The knowledge gained from recent fieldlabs and pilots will guide us in this process. But, of course, all will depend on the epidemiological situation, which will ultimately determine how many spectators will be able to attend."

About EURO 2020

To mark the European Championship’s 60th anniversary, UEFA decided on a special format for the 2020 edition of the tournament: the 24 nations who have qualified will play in no fewer than 12 European cities. The EURO 2020 host cities are Amsterdam, Baku, Bilbao, Budapest, Bucharest, Dublin, Glasgow, Copenhagen, London, Munich, Rome and St. Petersburg. The opening match will be played in Rome on 11 June, the semi-finals are scheduled in London for 6 and 7 July, and the final will also be in London on 11 July.

UEFA EURO 2020 is made possible in part by the KNVB, Amsterdam City Council, Schiphol Airport and the Johan Cruijff ArenA. 

EURO 2020 Amsterdam More information about EURO 2020 Amsterdam.