Innovation in our DNA
Innovation is the driving force behind our services, public experience and sustainable stadium. We distinguish ourselves by developing, testing and implementing innovations together with public and private partners.
Pioneering is in our blood and thanks to that attitude, we are at the cradle of groundbreaking Smart Stadium and Smart City applications: solutions for issues that arise in the stadium, the district and the city. As a field lab for innovation, we focus on ultimate visitor engagement, mobility, safety, sustainability, facility management and inclusivity with an important role for digitization.
Our approach
Together with ambitious partners, we are working in and around the stadium on smart innovations that make a difference. Under the name Amsterdam Innovation ArenA, we join forces with leading organizations such as the Municipality of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Smart City, TNO, KPN, KPMG, Huawei, Microsoft, Signify, Ballast Nedam, KNVB, Nissan, Eaton, Honeywell, BAM and ABN Amro. Successful concepts, technologies and solutions find their way to stadium, cities and companies around the world. As a state-of-the-art stadium, we make an impactful contribution to the experience of our visitors and to the development of the smart city.
5G network opportunities
The rollout of the 5G network offers wonderful opportunities for better event management and a better stadium experience. That is why the Johan Cruijff ArenA, the Municipality of Amsterdam and KPN have joined forces in the 5G Field Lab Amsterdam Zuidoost. Testing 5G applications, we are working with other technology partners to see how waiting times can be reduced and safety in and around the stadium can be increased. For example, thanks to the higher capacity of the 5G network, high-resolution camera images can be sent in real time. These camera images can then be used to better guide visitors to their seats in the stadium, but also, for example, to the train station. The technology guarantees fast, reliable and stable payment traffic.
Mobility & safety
During a large-scale event, the Johan Cruijff ArenA and its immediate surroundings are a city in miniature. In such a situation we manage many different aspects: from hospitable reception and accessibility to safety and assistance. From our Mobility and Safety Center, together with various partners, we ensure efficient crowd management, increased safety and a livable and accessible Amsterdam Southeast. Innovative solutions play a crucial role in this, as does a streamlined collaboration with, for example, road managers, transporters and emergency services. Two projects with which we optimize smooth visitor flows are WizzyMaps and the Digital perimeter.
Visitor Engagement
The Johan Cruijff ArenA is always looking for opportunities to make the visitor experience even easier, bigger or more special. That is why we created the Change the Game Challenge, together with AFC Ajax, the KNVB and ID&T, which received 180 (international) entries. Of the 35 innovations selected, a number are now being developed and tested. This includes adapted information about an event, ticket sales, carefree travel, activities before and after a match. In addition to benefiting the visitor, many initiatives contribute to more efficient and profitable business operations or better crowd management.
Change the Game is an initiative of the Johan Cruijff ArenA, AFC Ajax, KNVB, ID&T, Media Perspectives, Hogeschool van Amsterdam and TNO and is partly subsidized by the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union. This program is powered by innovation partner KPMG.
Facility management
The Johan Cruijff ArenA wants to offer the best site for matches, concerts and (business) events. Therefore, we are continuously investing in our stadium and services such as data-driven building management and a high-tech turf.
