Stadium Information

The AFAS Stadion is a football stadium located in Alkmaar, Netherlands, and is the home of the AZ Alkmaar club. Inaugurated on August 4, 2006, it replaced the old Alkmaarderhout as the team's home ground. In its inaugural match, AZ faced Arsenal, resulting in a 3-0 defeat, with Gilberto Silva scoring the first goal at the new stadium. 

Originally, the stadium had a capacity of 17,023 spectators. However, following a renovation in the 2020-2021 season, which included the installation of a new roof supported by a megastructure, the capacity increased to 19,500 seats. This renovation significantly improved the acoustics and comfort for the fans. 

A notable feature of the AFAS Stadion is its name, derived from the Dutch software company AFAS, which acquired the naming rights in 2010. Interestingly, during European matches, due to UEFA regulations on sponsors, the stadium is referred to as AZ Stadion. 

The stadium has witnessed significant events, including a partial roof collapse on August 10, 2019. Fortunately, there were no injuries, but the incident forced AZ to play their home matches at the Cars Jeans Stadion in The Hague while repairs were carried out. The subsequent renovation not only repaired the roof but also improved the overall facilities of the stadium.