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Olympisch Stadion Bron Photo by By Amsterdam Municipal Department for the Preservation and Restoration of Historic Buildings and Sites (DMA)

Top 10 Astonishing Facts About Amsterdam Olympic Stadium

The Amsterdam Olympic stadium was built in 1928 to be the main stadium for the summer Olympics which were held the same year. It鈥檚 still present and used for activities such as athletics, track cycling, equestrian jumping, football, gymnastics, korfball, and other sports events and concerts. 

After its construction, the stadium could hold a capacity of 31, 600. Later, the Amsterdam authority increased the capacity of the Olympic stadium up to a capacity of 64,000 by adding a second ring to the stadium. In the year 1987, the stadium was listed as a national monument.

1. Events that Have Been Held at the Olympic Stadium

The Olympic Stadium during the Olympic Games of 1928 Photo by Unknown Author

Amsterdam Olympic stadium had a chance to hold major events such as: in the year 1928, summer Olympic games, 1962, European cup final between Benfica and Real Madrid, 1977 European Cup winners鈥� cup final between Hamburger SV and RSC Anderlecht and in 2016 European Athletics Championships were held there.

The stadium also hosted the 1987 FIM speedway world championship finals. The Amsterdam Admirals played their inaugural season in the world league of American football in 1995 and the 1996 season. The stadium also hosted World Bowl鈥�95. It also serves as the start and finish of the Amsterdam marathon which is held every October.

2. Measurement of the Olympic Stadium

The Amsterdam Olympic stadium football pitch measures approximately 114 by 75 meters. The athletics track around is 8 meters wide and has a perimeter of 400 meters. The cycle track around the athletics measures 9 meters wide with a perimeter of 500 meters.

3. Capacity of the Amsterdam Olympic Stadium.

For quite a time the capacity of the stadium has been a subject of controversy as the exact capacity has been kept a secret from to press and public during the games to avoid issues and the remarks that the stadium鈥檚 capacity was only marginally bigger than the Harry Elite stadium.

However, two configurations can be set up in the stadium, one holding 21, 537 seats and 12, 618 standing rooms giving a total of 33, 255. While the other configuration holds 16, 197 seats and 25,236 standing rooms a total of 41, 433.

After the games were done, the NOC admitted that the capacity of the stadium was approximately 31, 600. It was also realized that additional seats could be added to the cycle track, and with the additional seat, there would be an increase in capacity by 5,900.

4. Did you Know About the Olympic Flame in the Amsterdam Olympic Stadium?

The summer Olympics held in the year 1928 introduced the idea of the Olympic Flame. The flame burned for the first time in a tall tower known as the Marathon tower, adjacent to the Olympic stadium. On the top of the marathon tower, 4 balconies are situated and are used during the games by the horn blowers.

Above those balconies, four speakers from the Philips were attached, from which any message and results were broadcasted into the Olympic area. The bowl on top which carried the Olympic flame was known as 鈥渢he ashtray of KLM pilots鈥� by the  Amsterdammers.  A permanent Olympic flame burning during the tournament was also an Olympic first.

5. Did you know that the Amsterdam Olympic Stadium has had Several Renovations Done?

The 1937 second ring in 1995, a year before it was removed as part of the 1996 renovation Photo by By Rijksdienst Voor het Cultureel Erfgoed

In the year 1987, the city attempted to demolish the stadium. However, it was saved after being listed as a national monument. In the year 1996, renovation began and the stadium was refurbished into its original construction of 1928 by removing the second ring which had been constructed in the year 1937.

By removing the second ring the stadium became suitable for track and field competitions again. A bicycle track was removed to enable the use of the space beneath the seats for offices. After the renovation, there was a gradual opening which was reopened by the prince of orange on 13th May 2000.

In 2007 the stadium was renovated again as part of a large urban renewal project covering the entire Olympic area. North of the stadium 969 houses were completed in 2008. Also, two new bridges were built around the stadium, to the south a bridge suitable for all traffic, and to the Schinkel islands in the west, a bridge for cyclists and Pedestrians Bridge and was named Jan Wilsbrug.

6. Did you know that the Amsterdam Olympic Stadium has a Hotel?

Olympisch Stadion Bron Photo by By   Amsterdam Municipal Department for the Preservation and Restoration of Historic Buildings and Sites (DMA),

Guests who visit the hotel have access to the fitness centre during their stay. They are very clean, super welcoming, and helpful. It鈥檚 located in an amazing and easy to go to different city places by public transport. The rooms are clean, comfortable, and cozy.

The staff is familiar with different languages and so cases of a language barrier are less likely to exist. It also offers wheelchair access and facilities for disabled guests. A wide variety of meals are offered and so it鈥檚 impossible to run out of options for the favourite meal you would what be offered.

7. Jan Wils the Architect of the Olympic Stadium

 Jan Wils’s original plan was to expand Harry Elite stadium which was situated next to the current Olympic stadium. However, the plan was rejected as the municipal government of Amsterdam had planned an important urban development program in that area.

Jan Wils designed the Olympic stadium and became one of the finest examples of Amsterdamse School architecture, complementing the surrounding neighbourhood designed by H.P.Berlage. He won the Olympic gold medal in the architecture competition at the 1928 Olympics鈥�. When the government decided to increase its capacity, Jan Wils was still given the role of being the architect and designed it by adding a second ring that could now hold a capacity of around 64,000.

8. Parking at the Olympic Stadium

The 1937 second ring in 1995, a year before it was removed as part of the 1996 renovation Photo by By Rijksdienst Voor het Cultureel Erfgoed

Wide parking has been set aside for visitors who visit for events. The security offered is high and so there is a promise that your vehicles are well protected and for the past years, there have been fewer cases of theft. The space is quite big and so there have been minimal cases of congestion.

9. Games that Have Been Held in the Stadium

The stadium is widely known for athletics, track cycling, equestrian jumping, football, gymnastics, and korfball. It is as well used for music events. Other events such as some conferences have been reported to have happened there.

10. Prime Famous Games that Have Happened at Olympic Stadium

Other than Olympic Games, other famous games were played at The Amsterdam Olympic stadium which was the 1962 European cup final between Benfica and Real Madrid ended in a 5-3 Benfica victory. The other one was Ajax鈥檚 5-1 victory over Liverpool on 7^th December 1966.