De Klassieker

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Lore & Background

The rivalry between these two clubs goes beyond football, transcending into the city rivalry between Amsterdam and Rotterdam. This rivalry began when these two cities first received their city rights in the 13th century. The football clubs are the pride of these cities; Ajax to Amsterdam and Feyenoord to Rotterdam. The inhabitants of these cities differ significantly in both attitudes and cultures, reflected on the pitch as a clash between the artists of Amsterdam and the workers of Rotterdam. Amsterdam is renowned for its culture, having produced many artists and actors. Ajax’s style of play has long been a source of pride for supporters and irritation for Feyenoord fans. Rotterdammers feel that those from Amsterdam possess delusions of grandeur, reflected in the saying: 'While Amsterdam dreams, Rotterdam works'. Rotterdam was forced to work after being bombed heavily in the Second World War by the Nazis. A harbor town, its people are proud of their work ethic and resentful of Amsterdam's showiness. The first encounter was on 9 October 1921 in Rotterdam, initially ending 3–2 in Ajax' favour but later declared 2–2 due to Feyenoord's protest over a dubious goal. From the 1947–48 season up to and including 1955–56, no competitive matches were played because Feyenoord never won their regional league and thus did not reach the Championship Playoff. Friendlies were arranged. After the Eredivisie was introduced in 1956–57, regional leagues were abolished, and the clubs have faced off twice a year since. The highest scoring match was in the 1960–61 season, a 9–5 win for Feyenoord. In 1964–65, a 9–4 scoreline in Feyenoord's favour nearly replicated that. The rivalry heated up in the early 1970s when both clubs were arguably the best in the world; Ajax won three European Cups and an Intercontinental Cup, while Feyenoord won one European Cup, one Intercontinental Cup, and one UEFA Cup. During the 1980–81 season, Feyenoord legend Wim Jansen moved to Ajax, angering Feyenoord fans; on his debut away against Feyenoord, a fan threw an iceball in his eye. In the 1983–84 season, Ajax legend Johan Cruyff transferred to Feyenoord after a contract dispute, angering both fanbases. That season, Feyenoord lost 8–2 to Ajax in Amsterdam (their worst loss to Ajax ever) but won their home game 4–1 and ended up winning the league and cup. On 7 April 2024, Feyenoord beat Ajax 6–0, the b

In Their Own Story

The narrative of this rivalry is punctuated by specific, high-stakes moments documented in Feyenoord's history. On 16 November 1956 (source says 2 April 1956 for Volewijckers, but 11 Nov 1956 for Ajax), Daan den Bleijker became a hero with four goals in a 7–3 win over Ajax. In the golden era of the 1960s, Feyenoord claimed their first professional Eredivisie Championship in 1961, a title secured after beating Ajax 9–5 in De Kuip, where Henk Schouten scored four goals. These matches were not just games but assertions of dominance, with Feyenoord often performing strongly against their city rivals during their most successful decade.

Reader's Guide

The rivalry has seen significant violence since the 1970s. The most serious incident was the Beverwijk clash in 1997, when Ajax fan Carlo Picornie was killed and several others injured. As a result, the two Klassiekers in 1997–98 were played without away fans. In 2004, Feyenoord player Jorge Acuña was taken to hospital with head, neck and rib injuries after being attacked by Ajax hooligans during a reserve team match; another Feyenoord player, Robin van Persie, had to be rescued by Ajax coach John van 't Schip and player Daniël de Ridder. In April 2005, riots took place around Feyenoord's ground involving hooligans from both sides and riot police; traveling Ajax fans demolished a train, and Feyenoord supporters who had seen their team lose 2–3 clashed with Ajax fans. Hooligans filmed by police were shown on national TV, and virtually every one handed himself in. In February 2009, the mayors of Amsterdam and Rotterdam agreed with the KNVB to ban visiting fans from away games for five seasons. After Ajax fans threw fireworks on the field during the 2014 KNVB Cup Final, Ajax banned its supporters from traveling to Rotterdam through at least the 2016–17 season. In March 2015, the Ajax clubhouse was burned down; the cause is officially unknown, but police and Ajax fans suspected Feyenoord fans. Ajax hooligans planned a revenge attack but were stopped by police. In February 2016, an effigy of Kenneth Vermeer (who moved from Ajax to Feyenoord) was hanged from a stand occupied by Ajax ultra group VAK410; Ajax closed those sections for the next De Klassieker and banned season ticketholders from attending. Hooligans often chant antisemitic slogans because Ajax has a long association with the city's Jewish community, and Ajax supporters sometimes refer to themselves as Jews and use the Star of David.

Did You Know?

• The record attendance for De Klassieker was 65,562 on 9 January 1966 in Rotterdam.
• The highest scoring match was a 9–5 win for Feyenoord in the 1960–61 season.
• On 7 April 2024, Feyenoord beat Ajax 6–0, the biggest win ever for Feyenoord over Ajax and Ajax's biggest Eredivisie loss.
• The first encounter on 9 October 1921 was initially 3–2 to Ajax but later declared 2–2 after a Feyenoord protest.