Johan Cruijff ArenA Away Day Guide

Last updated: September 4, 2026

No-Fly Away Day

Johan Cruijff ArenA — Away Day Guide From London

Direct Eurostar to Amsterdam Centraal, then one train to a station at the stadium door. Ajax is among the easiest no-fly away days from London.

Capacity: 55,865Opened: 1996Club: AFC AjaxNearest station: Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA
Journey Snapshot
Eurostar routeSt Pancras → Amsterdam Centraal
Journey timeapprox. 4h
Arrival stationAmsterdam Centraal
Station to groundapprox. 15 min

Booking mechanics, entry requirements and the day-trip-versus-overnight maths are all covered on the no-fly away days hub. This page covers the route into the ground.

Amsterdam Centraal To The Gate
1. Arrive at Amsterdam Centraal

Eurostar runs direct from London St Pancras, currently two services a day, taking roughly four hours with no change en route.

2. Domestic train to Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA

Frequent NS services run from Centraal to Bijlmer ArenA in about 15 minutes. This is the one that matters — the station is named after the ground for a reason.

3. Walk from Bijlmer ArenA station

The stadium is directly adjacent to the station, across the boulevard. It is a walk of a couple of minutes, fully signed and step-free.

4. Alternative: Metro 54

Metro line 54 from Centraal also serves Bijlmer ArenA and Strandvliet, which is a useful second option when the mainline platforms are heaving after a match.

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The Ground

Opened in 1996 as the Amsterdam ArenA and renamed in 2018 after the club’s defining figure, the Johan Cruijff ArenA holds 55,865 for football and is the largest stadium in the Netherlands. It has a retractable roof, so weather is not a factor, and it turns 30 in 2026.

Matchday Practicals
Getting back after full time

Bijlmer ArenA is a major interchange and clears quickly, but the platforms fill fast on the whistle. Metro 54 is the usual pressure valve back into the city.

Day trip or overnight

At roughly four hours each way the maths is tighter than Paris or Brussels. Most travelling fans treat Ajax as an overnight rather than a same-day return.

Around the ground

The ArenA sits in a purpose-built entertainment district in Amsterdam-Zuidoost, with bars and food around the boulevard rather than in the old city.

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Upcoming Home Fixtures
High Demand
โšฝ Eredivisie

Ajax vs PSV Eindhoven

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ5TH SEP ยท 19:00
๐Ÿ“Johan Cruijff ArenA
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โšฝ Eredivisie

Ajax vs Willem II

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ15TH SEP ยท 19:00
๐Ÿ“Johan Cruijff ArenA
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โšฝ Eredivisie

Ajax vs Excelsior

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ19TH SEP ยท 19:00
๐Ÿ“Johan Cruijff ArenA
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โšฝ Eredivisie

Ajax vs NEC Nijmegen

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ10TH OCT ยท 20:00
๐Ÿ“Johan Cruijff ArenA
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โšฝ Conference League

Ajax vs Atalanta

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ22ND OCT ยท 20:00
๐Ÿ“Johan Cruijff ArenA
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Tours & Matchday Experiences
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FAQ
How do I get from London to the Johan Cruijff ArenA?

Eurostar runs direct from London St Pancras to Amsterdam Centraal in around four hours, then a domestic train to Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA takes about 15 minutes. The stadium is next to that station.

What is the nearest station to the Johan Cruijff ArenA?

Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA, which is directly beside the ground. Strandvliet on Metro 54 is the alternative.

What is the capacity of the Johan Cruijff ArenA?

The stadium holds 55,865 for football, making it the largest in the Netherlands.

Can I do Ajax as a day trip from London?

At around four hours each way it is tight, and evening kick-offs will not work as a same-day return. The overnight-versus-day-trip reasoning is covered on the no-fly away days hub.

Does the Johan Cruijff ArenA have a roof?

Yes — it has a retractable roof, so fixtures are not affected by weather.

Related
No-Fly Away Days Hub