Abe Lenstra Stadion

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Key facts

Club: SC Heerenveen | Opening: 1994 | Capacity: 26,100

History and description

The Abe Lenstra Stadion was the first modern stadium in the Netherlands. The old stadium with the same name could not meet the increasing popularity of the club, and the site of the stadium would make good use for the expansion of a nearby hospital.

First plans for the construction of a new stadium were presented in 1992, and the project got approved in 1993. Shortly after construction started.

The design originally assumed four separate stands, but at the request of the city council the corners were closed.

The Abe Lenstra Stadion officially opened on the 20th of August 1994 with a friendly between Heerenveen and PSV Eindhoven. The match was the début of Brazilian Ronaldo (Luís Nazário de Lima) on European soil.

The stadium initially counted with 13,800 seats, which sold out consistently from its inauguration. Plans were therefore soon made for an expansion.

In a first step corporate facilities got improved, and expansion works started in 2004. The works involved the addition of extra rows of seating on top of three out of four stands. They were gradually performed over the duration of a few years, and raised capacity to its current level.

Heerenveen has contemplated further expansions, possibly to a capacity to 44,000, however these plans have been halted for the moment.

The club is still investigating the option to extend the stands to pitch level, hereby eliminating the moat, which could further increase capacity to about 29,000.

Getting there

The Abe Lenstra Stadion is located slightly east of Heerenveen’s town centre and train station. The walk from the centre will take about 10 minutes and that of the train station 5 to 10 minutes more.

Alternatively, one can take bus 48 to Lemmer Lemsterpad. Get off at stop Abe Lenstra Boulevard. Buses leave two to three times an hour for the 7-minute journey.

The Abe Lenstra Stadion lies adjacent to the A32 motorway. Either take exit 11 (from the south) or 12 (from the north), and follow the signs to the stadium. The stadium is clearly visible from the motorway.

Address: Abe Lenstra boulevard 19, 8448JA Heerenveen

Tickets

Tickets for SC Heerenveen games can be bought online, or via the Ticketbox sales points.

Heerenveen tends to sell out most of its home matches and requires possession of an Heerenveen Club Card to be able to buy tickets.

Ticket prices range from €23.00 for a seat in one of the corners to €32.00 for a central seat at the main stand.

Attendances

Stadium tours

Heerenveen offers guided stadium tours that visit the dressing rooms, players tunnel, VIP lodges, press room, players home, and the Pronkkeamer Heerenveen museum. The tour lasts about 90 minutes.

Tours require a booking of at least 8 participants. No individual options are currently available. Call +31 (0) 513 612 100 or email klantenservice@sc-heerenveen.nl for more information.

Photos

Relevant Internet links

Sc-heerenveen.nl – Official website of SC Heerenveen.
Vvvheerenveen.nl – Website of the Heerenveen tourist office.
9292ov.nl – Public transport journey planner.