Knowledge base

The history of the ArenA certificates: from 1990 to today

On 14 December 1990 the subscription opened for share certificates of Stadion Amsterdam N.V.: private individuals and companies could help pay for the new stadium, in exchange for a lasting right to their own seat. That right still stands today, exactly as issued.

A stadium partly paid for by its public

Building what was then the Amsterdam ArenA took some 240 million guilders. Part of it was raised from the public: from 14 December 1990 anyone could subscribe, through ABN Amro, to share certificates of Stadion Amsterdam N.V. There were five classes, from 2,500 guilders for class E to 250,000 guilders for class A, the skybox with ten seats. In total at most 5,360 seat certificates were offered.

A difficult start

The issue landed in the uncertain market climate around the Gulf War. The subscription was extended to March 1991 and reopened in 1992. Those who stepped in did so out of love for the club and faith in the stadium. Those early holders were rewarded: their right still exists, and nothing was ever added.

From Amsterdam ArenA to Johan Cruijff ArenA

The stadium opened in the summer of 1996; Tina Turner gave the first pop concert there that year. In 2018 the stadium received its current name, honouring Johan Cruijff. The certificates simply travelled along: same register, same rights, new name.

The certificate today

No new seat certificates were ever issued. What was issued in 1990 is all there is; certificates only change hands. That is exactly why a certificate is a scarce asset today, and exactly why this site exists: the offering of existing certificates, with honest guidance.