The Amsterdam ArenA is calling for groundbreaking "creative thinkers and innovative entrepreneurs" to help the company create "the stadium of the future as part of the revamp of the country's main stadium," according to Paul Nicholson of INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL. Amsterdam ArenA, the home of Dutch club Ajax, which will host four matches at the 2020 European Championships, has "already unveiled" a major €50M ($54.5M) renovation project that will "radically alter the look of the stadium and upgrade spectator facilities." The current stadium capacity is 53,000 and that will "remain unchanged." The "principal change will be in the fan experience, especially in the 28,000 seated upper tier which will be served by more escalators and toilet facilities" as well increased natural light and a "climatised" environment. It is "just the beginning of the improved fan experience for fans" as the stadium opens up to new ideas which will come via "an international innovation challenge," with the "best plans being tested and implemented in the newly renovated ArenA" with the help of the municipality of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Smart City, and innovation partners Microsoft, Huawei, KPN, KPMG and TNO. An ArenA statement said that "the objective of the project is to improve the level of service, quality and sustainability" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 12/8).
