De Meer Stadion

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Over time, as Ajax's popularity and success grew, the De Meer proved to be too small. From 1930 onward, Ajax played their big (European) games at the Olympic Stadium. The larger venue also hosted Ajax's midweek night games, since the De Meer Stadion lacked floodlights until the mid-seventies. The Netherlands national football team played five international matches at the stadium, winning all of them. The first match, on 22 August 1973, was a qualifying match for the 1974 FIFA World Cup against Iceland (5-0). The last international match, played on 25 March 1992, was a friendly against Yugoslavia (2-0). Ajax left the De Meer after the opening of the purpose-built Amsterdam Arena in 1996, which since 2018 is called the Johan Cruyff Arena. The final match at De Meer was an Eredivisie game which saw Ajax hosting Willem II on 28 April 1996. The home side won 5–1 with Finidi George scoring a hat trick, but the final goal in the stadium was scored by Willem II striker Jack de Gier. Following the club's departure, the De Meer was demolished to make way for a housing development. The stadium is commemorated by having the new streets named after famous football stadia where Ajax played famous away matches, such as Anfield, Wembley or Bernabeu. The centre spot was recreated symbolically as the real centre spot was built over. There are also little bridges named after famous Ajax players like Johan Cruyff, Piet Keizer and Sjaak Swart, as well as a bridge named after manager Rinus Michels.

In Their Own Story

The final chapter at De Meer began on 28 April 1996, when Ajax hosted Willem II in an Eredivisie game. The home side secured a 5–1 victory, highlighted by Finidi George scoring a hat trick. However, the very last goal scored within the stadium's boundaries was netted not by an Ajax player, but by Willem II striker Jack de Gier. Following this match, Ajax departed for the purpose-built Amsterdam Arena (now the Johan Cruyff Arena), which opened later that year in 1996. De Meer was subsequently demolished to make way for a housing development. The site is now commemorated with streets named after famous stadia where Ajax played historic away matches, such as Anfield, Wembley, and Bernabeu.

Reader's Guide

The stadium opened in 1934. It was closed in 1996. The final match was on 28 April 1996. The stadium was demolished after the club's departure.

Did You Know?

• The stadium was opened in 1934, not 1935 as the image caption suggests.
• The Netherlands national team played five international matches at De Meer and won all of them.
• The final goal at De Meer was scored by Willem II striker Jack de Gier.