Amsterdam plans stadium for 75,000 visitors for WC 2018
On 25 January Mayor Job Cohen and city councillor for sport Carolien Gehrels informed the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) of their ambition to build a stadium in Amsterdam capable of holding 75,000 visitors in time for the football World Championships in 2018.
The ambition was announced during a discussion with John Jaakke, chairman of Ajax and Henk Markerink, director of the Amsterdam ArenA. Chairman Jeu Sprengers and secretary-general Harry Been of the KNVB also took part in the discussion.
It was agreed that Amsterdam would before 2010 establish a clear plan for building the stadium how the stadium could be achieved, working closely with Ajax, the ArenA and the KNVB. Extending the present ArenA with a third ring is one of the options being seriously considered.
‘This is an important step for Amsterdam,’ said councillor Gehrels. ‘I am pleased that we have taken this step with all the important players. It’s a start. This year we will look into the feasibility of both the stadium and of the tournament. In the end they must deliver real value for all Amsterdammers. That’s why I’ll be entering into talks with everyone who is keen to help make the tournament a success. Of course, the city council will make the final decision.’
`The KNVB is very positive about this ambition on the part of Amsterdam,’ said KNVB chairman Jeu Sprengers. ‘The atmosphere in which the city raised its plans for discussion is very stimulating.’
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