Everyone knows of Feyenoord, their prowess and heritage in Dutch football but if the club is based in Rotterdam, where does the name come from? It started out as Wilhelmina in 1908, but over the years a few name changes would take place with the city district taking precedence.

SC Feijenoord changed to SC Feyenoord and then finally to Feyenoord in 1978, when the parent club split from the amateur club it was linked to.

De Kuip has become the common name for the home of the Rotterdam club, but it simply means ‘the tub’ in Dutch, with the nickname garnered from the shape of the famous venue. Its official name is the Stadion Feijenoord.

You will often see the club and stadium name in different forms, being used interchangeably. Feyenoord is the ‘internationalised’ spelling of the city district which gives the club its name.

Traditional, atmospheric, intense, enclosed, appealing – all those adjectives and more could be used to describe De Kuip.

Even rival fans will confirm that it is a true football venue, with the stands close to the pitch to help create the passionate atmosphere Feyenoord is renowned for, especially on a big European night or a domestic game that really matters.

Although it has many qualities and still ranks as a top football venue, there are concerns about the future of the current stadium with a few plans for a new home for the club drawn up and subsequently abandoned. Feyenoord City was the name of a grand plan to erect a new stadium with a capacity of around 65, 000 seats but due to supporter campaigns to save what they love about De Kuip, no new plan has got off the ground. 

Possible stadium redevelopment has also been considered but in recent times, financial pressures and cost increases have taken any plans off the table.

De Kuip is here to stay as it is, for the foreseeable future.

Feyenoord Rotterdam 115 anniversary celebrations.

19 July 1908 ?⚪️⚫️19 July 2023

De Kuip is in there somewhere. ?pic.twitter.com/R3lrPUHzdE

— Tom Reed (@tomreedwriting) July 19, 2023

The home of Feyenoord has a capacity of 51, 117 which means it lists in second place in terms of the ‘Big Three’ in the Netherlands. Dutch football is dominated by PSV Eindhoven, Ajax and Feyenoord, in terms of honours, headlines and number of supporters. 

The Johan Cruijff ArenA belonging to Ajax can hold 55, 865 whilst in Eindhoven, the Philips Stadion has a capacity of approximately 36, 000. 

Stadium Tours

Stadium tours are available and are very much recommended. 

Guided tours are available which will delve into the history of the club and the stadium. You will get an impression behind the scenes of the club, taking in the dressing rooms, hospitality areas, press room as well as the all-important walk to the pitch. 

Your tour ticket includes access to the Feyenoord Museum and can be combined with a reservation for coffee or lunch at the club restaurant.

The tour lasts 90 minutes and is available regularly, please check the club website for the latest availability. Tours take place in Dutch but you can ask for some information in English. Private group tours in English may be available, upon request.

Matchday Tickets

Tickets are available from the club website and can be obtained without too much hassle, except for high-profile games which will sell out quickly between season ticket holders and club members. 

You may be required to register for a Feyenoord club card before you can purchase as is a standard security precaution in Dutch football,

At the time of writing, tickets for an upcoming Eredivisie game against Sparta Rotterdam can be purchased on general sale, starting at €38.50 up to €72.00

Full information is available on the link, above.

Once you are in the city of Rotterdam, the best way to get to the stadium is via public transport although it is located roughly 5km from the main city centre area, including the central station.

Tram 23 from Rotterdam Central Station will drop you right next to the ground, at stop Stadion Feijenoord. On matchday, you can also use tram 29. The journey will last around 20 minutes.

There is also a matchday-only service train from Rotterdam Central Station (or Dordrecht) to station Stadion Feijenoord.

Away fans of Dutch clubs will not see much of the stadium, as there is a linked tunnel from the train platform to the away section to minimise contact between supporters. Otherwise, organised buses will drop off at a secure location right beside the ground.

If you are groundhopping or visiting for a European away game, you will see plenty and all that De Kuip has to offer as a football stadium. 

The away section is located in the top deck of the Gerard Meijer Stand. You will have a steep climb to enter the section but it gives a generally obstructed view of all the pitch, even if you won’t see the full stadium surrounding from the back of the section.

If you are visiting for a high-profile game, you will not be disappointed with the atmosphere. General amenities for food, drinks, and toilets are available within the concourse.

De Klassieker (The Classic) is the main football derby of the Netherlands between Feyenoord and Ajax.

This is an intense, passionate game but unfortunately, no away fans are permitted which diminishes the spectacle. The home fans still provide an atmosphere that crackles but this is cranked up when both sides collide properly, like in the Dutch Cup final, for example.

The divide goes beyond football, way back to the historic rivalry between the respective cities and the cultures that reflect their people. Rotterdam is known as a working city, whilst Amsterdam, the capital, is perceived as more cultural and artistic. The phrase, “While Amsterdam dreams, Rotterdam works” reflects the supposed differences in the attitudes of the citizens.