The large crowds in the Arena area did not cause any problems tonight. The NS did not allow trains to stop at Bijlmer Arena and Holendrecht stations between 2.15 pm and 8.30 pm due to the expected crowds around Formula 1 in Zandvoort, the Ajax match and two concerts. The GVB ran extra metros and transported about 15,000 people until the beginning of the evening.
Due to the measures, many people came to the Arena area early to still be able to take the train. Others came to the area by bicycle and scooter, the municipality reports. Furthermore, around 8,000 cars were parked in the Arena area and about 700 cars at the Rai.
Around 6:30 pm it was at its busiest around the Arena. At that time, Ajax’s match had just ended and the Ziggo Dome and AFAS Live were about to open for the Kensington and Yade Lauren concerts, respectively. To spread the crowds, the concert halls opened their doors half an hour later at 7 pm.
Long lines of fans
It resulted in long queues of fans in front of the concert hall doors, which ran through much of the Arena area. Because it was dinner time, some of the Ajax supporters also hung around for something to eat. And that caused a small accumulation: “You have to wait a long time at the gates and in the metro you are squeezed together”, say two young Ajax players. “We couldn’t get through it at first, but luckily there are many people to help you. Someone came to us right away.” Despite the crowds, the atmosphere was calm and friendly. Most Ajax players had left around 7 pm.
The municipality will keep an eye on the inflow and outflow of visitors to the area for the rest of the evening. However, because the trains also stop at Bijlmer Arena at 8.30 pm, no more problems are expected. But before that, it is still a bit of a puzzle for some: “It will be an interesting undertaking,” says a man on the platform. “I am curious if we will come to Alkmaar. But we have the time, the sun is shining and Ajax has won. So it will be fine.”
Measures
“If we had not taken these measures, football fans who wanted to travel home would have been confronted with overcrowded trains with large groups of racing fans from Zandvoort. As a result, very unsafe situations both in the trains and at the stations in the Arena area,” the statement said. NS know earlier.
Earlier this year, such a situation arose at Bijlmer Arena station. On July 15, Ed Sheeran played in the Johan Cruijff Arena and Toto in the Ziggo Dome. Train passengers would then have had to wait at least an hour and a half in a large crowd of people.
An evaluation of all parties involved showed that due to a shortage of personnel, visitors to the concerts were not shown walking routes to Strandvliet and Duivendrecht station. This created the large crowd at Bijlmer Arena.
