Rotterdam Ahoy - Sports Tourist

Rotterdam Ahoy, located in the South of Rotterdam, is one of the most versatile and iconic event venues in the Netherlands. Since its opening, it has evolved from a single hall into a massive multi-functional complex consisting of the Ahoy Arena, the Exhibition & Event Halls, and the state-of-the-art Rotterdam City Convention Centre (RCCC). Known for its world-class acoustics and modular design, Ahoy has hosted everything from the Eurovision Song Contest to prestigious indoor tennis tournaments and heavy-metal concerts. It serves as a cultural and sporting heartbeat for the city, symbolizing Rotterdam’s “make it happen” mentality.

🏗️ History and Design

Originally opened in 1950 as a temporary exhibition hall for the “Rotterdam Ahoy!” festival, the permanent complex was established in its current location in 1971.

The Ahoy Arena: The crown jewel of the complex, this 16,424-capacity arena is designed with a unique bowl shape that ensures intimacy even during massive concerts. It underwent a major renovation in 2010 to improve roof load capacity for heavy modern stage productions.
RTM Stage: Opened in 2020, this is a unique hybrid space. It serves as a 7,819-capacity music hall for concerts and a 2,750-seat theater, featuring the best acoustics in the country.
Exhibition & Event Halls: The venue boasts over 30,000 square meters of floor space across six halls, used for massive trade fairs like Europort and North Sea Jazz Festival.
Sustainability: Ahoy is a leader in green event management, featuring one of the largest solar panel arrays in the city and a district heating system that utilizes waste heat from the Port of Rotterdam.

📍 Key Information

Official Name: Rotterdam Ahoy
Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands (Zuid)
Opened: 1971 (Current location)
Capacity: 16,424 (Arena), 7,819 (RTM Stage)
Address: Ahoyweg 10, 3084 BA Rotterdam, Netherlands

Contents

🏁 Major Events Hosted

Rotterdam Ahoy is famous for its ability to transform from a high-energy mosh pit into a professional sporting court or a political summit overnight. 🎤

ABN AMRO Open: One of the most prestigious ATP 500 tennis tournaments in the world, held annually in the Ahoy Arena since 1974.
Eurovision Song Contest 2021: Ahoy was the global stage for Eurovision following the Netherlands’ victory, showcasing its technical and broadcasting capabilities to millions.
North Sea Jazz Festival: The world’s largest indoor jazz festival takes over the entire complex every July, featuring over 15 stages and 1,000+ musicians.
Premier League Darts: A regular stop on the professional darts circuit, known for the “Orange Wall” of fans that creates one of the loudest atmospheres in sports.
Six Days of Rotterdam: A legendary track cycling event held on a temporary wooden velodrome constructed inside the arena.

🚆 Getting to Rotterdam Ahoy

The venue is exceptionally well-connected to the Dutch national rail and local transit networks. 🚇

By Air: Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) is just 20 minutes away by taxi. For international travelers, Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) is only 25 minutes away via the Intercity Direct high-speed train to Rotterdam Centraal.
By Public Transport (Metro): This is the most efficient way to arrive. Take Metro Line D or E and alight at the Zuidplein station. From there, it is a well-lit, 5-minute walk to the Ahoy entrance.
By Bus: The Zuidplein bus station is one of the largest in the Netherlands, with regional connections across South Holland.
By Car: Ahoy is located near the A15, A16, and A29 motorways.
Parking: The venue has its own parking lot with space for 2,000 cars. It is highly recommended to pre-purchase a parking ticket online to guarantee a spot.

🎟️ Tickets & Hospitality at Rotterdam Ahoy

Tickets

Tickets for most concerts and sporting events at Ahoy are powered by Ticketmaster Netherlands. For trade fairs and specific local events, tickets may be sold through the event’s own platform or Ahoy’s official box office. 🎫

Digital Entry: Ahoy primarily uses mobile ticketing. Ensure you have the Ticketmaster app or your PDF ticket ready on your phone before reaching the scan-points.

Hospitality

Ahoy Exclusive: The venue offers several premium experiences, including the Loge (Skybox) seating and the Ahoy Club, which provides private bar access and early entry.
Dining: The venue features “RiVers,” an on-site restaurant, alongside numerous “Grab & Go” points that specialize in local Dutch snacks like bitterballen and international cuisine.

🏨 Where to Stay Near Rotterdam Ahoy

Most visitors choose between staying right at the venue or in the vibrant city center.

Zuidplein (Adjacent): The most convenient for late-night events.
- Example: Art Hotel Rotterdam or the Leonardo Hotel Rotterdam City Center.
Kop van Zuid / Wilhelminapier: A 5-minute metro ride away, this area features stunning architecture and the famous Hotel New York.
- Example: nhow Rotterdam (located in the iconic ‘De Rotterdam’ building).
City Center: For those who want to be near the Markthal and main shopping districts.
- Example: The James Rotterdam or Hilton Rotterdam.

💡 Know Before You Go

Cashless Venue: Rotterdam Ahoy is a cashless venue. All bars and food stalls accept only debit/credit cards or mobile payments.
Lockers: There are no manned cloakrooms for large bags; instead, Ahoy uses a digital locker system. It is best to travel light.
Security: A strict “No Large Bags” policy is in place (nothing larger than an A4 sheet of paper is typically allowed inside the Arena).
Opening Times: Doors typically open 1.5 to 2 hours before the start of an event. Check your ticket for specific “Doors Open” times.