Philips Stadion

Lore & Background

The stadium has gone through several extensions in its history: After a wooden stand in 1916, seating and standing places slowly enclosed the field throughout the first decades. Two extensive renovations in the 1970s and 1990s first created a covered stadium, and then a two-tiered ground with extensive commercial spaces. The completion of the four corners in 2002 eventually led to its current capacity.

Reader's Guide

The Philips Stadion currently holds a four-star rating by UEFA. It has hosted a range of Netherlands national team fixtures since 1971. In 2013, PSV's reserve team, Jong PSV, also played their league matches at the stadium. They now play their games at the training complex De Herdgang. Furthermore, the Philips Stadion was the location for three UEFA Euro 2000 group stage matches, as well as the 2006 UEFA Cup Final. Aside from football-related purposes, the ground is occasionally used for music concerts.

Did You Know?

• The first recorded use of the Philips Sportpark was on 15 January 1911, when the Philips Elftal won their debut match against Hollandia from Woensel.
• The stadium's first wooden stand, built in 1916, provided room for 550 viewers and was funded by Philips for its 25th anniversary.
• During World War II, the ground was claimed by German occupants and used for military purposes, and suffered great destruction in the final days of the war.
• The 2006 UEFA Cup Final was held at the Philips Stadion, where Sevilla defeated Middlesbrough 4–0; for the final, the stadium was temporarily named ‘PSV Stadion’ because UEFA did not allow the Philips name to be used.