Johan Cruyff Arena to expand capacity

Liam Watson
The Johan Cruyff Arena, home to Dutch soccer giants Ajax, is set to increase its seating capacity to 56,120 as part of a wider renovation project being undertaken by the Amsterdam local government.

In the first stage of the project, the ground will see 880 extra seats to be added in the corners of the venue, in preparation for the 2020 UEFA European Championship national team soccer tournament (Euro 2020). Amsterdam has been selected as one of the host cities, with the Johan Cruyff Arena set to host three group games and one round of 16 game. For the first time in the competition’s 60-year history, it will be held across the European continent with 12 host cities in total.

According to sports venue news outlet Coliseum, the larger renovation project will ultimately add 1,130 seats to the 54,990-capacity venue, with 60 of those coming in the VIP Lounge and additional wheelchair accommodation added to comply with UEFA regulations. In what will be the largest redevelopment of the venue since it opened in 1996, the overall shape of the arena will switch from concave to convex.

Ajax does not own the Johan Cruyff Arena, but the club’s Managing Director, Edwin van der Sar, said they are interested in increasing their involvement in the running of the venue.

“We are currently in consultation with the municipality,” Van der Sar explained to Ajax Life.

“Agreements have been made in the context of naming. We are looking into whether we can increase our interest by acquiring certificates from the municipality.

“We play in a beautiful stadium, with beautiful red seats, where the name Ajax is prominent. And the grass – most important to us – also makes steps. I’m not saying we don’t want this. If there are opportunities that give Ajax a higher budget to move on to a higher plan in Europe, we will be keen on that.”

Ajax currently sit top of the Dutch top flight Eredivisie, three points ahead of second placed AZ Alkmaar after 20 rounds played.

Portugal are the defending champions of the Euros, when they secured a 1-0 win after extra time against France in 2016.

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Chelsea and Tottenham Arrive in Sydney as Premier League Giants Launch Australian Pre-Season Tour

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Image Credit: Chelsea FC

Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have touched down in Sydney ahead of their pre-season tour of Australia for the Sydney Super Cup. Both clubs have wasted little time settling into life in Sydney, beginning preparations for a busy week of training sessions, fan events and pre-season fixtures.

The London rivals will each face A-League opposition before meeting meeting in the marquee fixture of the tour at Accor Stadium, bringing two of England’s biggest clubs to Australian shores as they build towards the 2026-27 Premier League season.

For Chelsea, the tour represents the first opportunity for supporters to see new manager Xabi Alonso lead the Blues. Meanwhile, Spurs fans will be eager to see improvements from Roberto De Zerbi’s men following their narrow escape from relegation last season.

Chelsea will open their tour against Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday 28 July, while Tottenham will face Sydney FC on Wednesday 29 July, before the clubs meet in the headline fixture of the tour on Saturday 1 August.

The clash will mark the first time the London rivals have faced each other outside the UK. The tour is another sign of Australia’s growing stature as a destination for elite European clubs during the northern hemisphere off-season

With Chelsea and Tottenham among the Premier League’s biggest global brands, the fixtures are expected to attract strong crowds and give Australian football fans a rare opportunity to watch top-flight English footballers in person.

The tour will also feature the Chelsea Women’s team, which will take on the A-League Women’s All Stars in a showcase fixture on Wednesday 12 August.

Football Australia Chairman Reflects on Socceroos World Cup Campaign, Points to Reform Agenda Ahead

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Image Credit: Football Australia

Football Australia Chairman Anter Isaac has released a statement reflecting on the Socceroos’ FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, which ended in a penalty shootout loss to Egypt in the Round of 32 on 3 July.

Isaac thanked the players, coaching staff, medical and performance teams, and volunteers who supported the campaign, saying they represented the country with professionalism, humility and pride.

He said the tournament had brought Australians together across every state, culture and generation, calling it one of the few sporting moments capable of uniting the country.

Isaac linked the campaign to Football Australia’s broader governance work, pointing to the organisation’s recently announced reform agenda and the Enduring Principles adopted last year: Better Access to Football for All, More Football, Better Football, More People Enjoying Football, and Winning Football.

He said those principles, together with the organisation’s values of Welcome, Ready, Connect, Excel and Protect, formed the basis for every decision Football Australia makes.

“World Cups do not define our leadership,” Isaac said, adding that they instead reveal progress made long before a ball is kicked.

He said Football Australia’s responsibility extended beyond preparing for the next tournament to strengthening the institution that supports every tournament that follows.

Isaac said progress in a sporting ecosystem of Australian football’s scale depends less on any single body’s authority than on the willingness of clubs, federations, leagues and government to align around shared goals.

He said the organisation would study the lessons of the campaign carefully and continue refining its approach.

“Adaptability is not changing direction with every headline,” Isaac said. “It is improving the path while remaining true to the destination.”

Isaac framed his own role in terms of long-term stewardship, saying the game should be left in a stronger position for the generations that follow than it was for those who built it.

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