build it and they will come 62
Build it and they will come It is rare these days for a new stadium to transform the fortunes of a city with a global reputation as a bustling centre of entertainment, but the birth of Amsterdam Arena 20 years ago certainly deserves that accolade, as Rob Sandall reports
F
ew cities have as recognisable a brand as Amsterdam, widely considered as a premier destination for relaxation and recreation. But while the idyllic canals and hospitable coffee shops have long been a part of its cultural history, the Netherlands’ capital has not always had the facilities or indeed the space to house grand-scale live music events. Twenty years ago, the 53,000-capacity Amsterdam ArenA
audience • Issue 194 • March 2016
opened its doors for the first time, and has since become a key tour stop for major artistes. Its CEO Henk Markerink has seen the stadium’s entire history unfold first-hand. “At the end of the ‘80s, you had the 20,000-capacity Ajax Stadium and the 22,000-capacity Olympic Stadium,” he says. “Those venues were also built close to the centre of Amsterdam, which made for a very narrow infrastructure to work with when it came to ease of visiting and exiting
the venue.” he explains. “So it’s fair to say that we were without a venue that was truly suitable for big-level football or music performances. “I’ve been on board since 1991 when we first began to solve that problem, during the feasibility phase of the project. “From there, I project-managed the building of the ArenA, became COO [chief operating office] in 1995, then was asked to be CEO in 1996, a position I have held since.” The project was about more than simply creating a touring stop
for bigger pro duc tions, says Markerink, who is quick to emphasise the wider implications that the Henk Markerink stadium has had on the city. “After careful consideration we decided to build on the outskirts of the city – there was very little already there, so we had space without needing to compromise,” he says.
www.audience.uk.com