GelreDome

• Tweet

• Tweet

The GelreDome is the home of Vitesse Arnhem. During football matches the stadium has a capacity of 25,000 seats.

The GelreDome was built to serve as a multifunctional stadium, and was the first football stadium in the world to have a retractable pitch. It was also, after the Amsterdam ArenA, the second stadium in Europe to have a sliding roof.

The idea for constructing a multifunctional stadium with more than double the capacity than Vitesse’s previous home Nieuw Monnikenhuizen came from former Vitesse chairman Karel Aalbers. From the late 80s the ambitious chairman had been playing with the idea for a new stadium, but it took until 1996 and the prospect of the upcoming Euro 2000 tournament before construction finally could begin.

The stadium opened two years later, on the 25^th of March 1998, with a league match between Vitesse and NAC Breda (4-1).  Another two years later the stadium hosted three group matches during Euro 2000.

The stadium however also led to the downfall of chairman Karel Aalbers, as the financial obligations were more than the club could bear. The chairman was removed from his post and in the following years the club had to be financially assisted by the Arnhem city government in order to be able to survive.

In the last decade the stadium has turned into one of the prime concert venues of the Netherlands. The attention paid in the designs to acoustics, the advanced climatic control systems, and the roof that doesn’t let in any sunlight have all contributed to this. As the pitch can be rolled outside the stadium, which takes 6 hours to complete, it has also not been plagued by the typical pitch problems other stadiums with retractable roofs have faced.

Getting there

The GelreDome is located toward the south of the city of Arnhem, on the south bank of the river Rhine, about 2.5 kilometres from Arnhem’s city centre and a few hundred metres more from the central rail station.

If arriving by car from the A12 motorway (which runs north of the city), take exit 27 Arnhem/Zutphen/Velp, and follow for the N325 in the direction of Arnhem. Continue on the N325 for about 7 kilometres – you will cross the river Rhine – until signs will guide you to the stadium (which will be visible on the left side of the road).

If coming from the south, follow the A325 into the city. While approaching the city, the stadium will be clearly visible on the left side of the road. From there, follow the signs.

By public transport, take bus 7 from Arnhem central rail station. The bus leaves about every 10 minutes for the 7-minute ride to the stadium. Take the bus in the direction of Rijkerswoerd. Get off at stop GelreDome.

Address: Batavierenweg 25, 6841 HN Arnhem

Tickets

Tickets for Vitesse matches can be bought at the Vitesse Fanzone at the stadium, or at one of the Ticketbox sales points. If in the possession of a Vitesse Fancard, tickets can also be bought online.

For a selected number of matches a Vitesse Fancard is required to be able to buy tickets. If tickets remain, and Vitesse hardly ever sells out a match, these can be bought on the day of the match at the stadium. However, the same conditions in terms of possession of a Fancard apply.

Normal ticket prices range from €17.00 to €32.50. Prices are increased with €5.00 for high-profile matches.

For more information call +31 (0) 26 880 7337

Relevant Internet links:

Vitesse.nl – Official website of Vitesse Arnhem.
Vvvarnhemnijmegen.nl – Tourist information for the Arnhem Nijmegen area.
9292ov.nl – Public transport journey planner.

Tags: 1998, Arnhem, Eredivisie, Euro 2000, European Championship stadium, Netherlands, Vitesse Arnhem