Ajax on matchday, minus the stress. This VIP tour puts you in the official Ajax dressing room and other match-only spaces inside the Johan Cruijff ArenA, home of the club named after Johan Cruijff. Then you top it off with skybox views of the pitch and a free drink, so the whole thing feels like you’re getting the stadium’s “backstage story,” not just a quick walk-through.

Two things I really like: first, the way the tour turns the stadium into a real experience of how players move around on game day. Guides including Olivier, Rob, Peter, and Enrico are praised for turning Ajax culture into clear, fun context, and you’ll get that in English or Dutch. Second, the small extras add up: you leave with a unique AFC Ajax scarf and you also get built-in discounts.

One consideration before you book: it’s VIP, but it’s not a match ticket. Also, you can’t bring luggage or backpacks, so plan to travel light—especially if you’re combining this with other Amsterdam stops.

Key moments that make this VIP tour worth it

• Official Ajax dressing room access to see where match-day preparation happens
• Boardroom-style views of the space reserved for management during matches
• Skybox time with a free soft drink and prime pitch sightlines
• AFC Ajax scarf included, plus 10% off at the official fanshop
• The “match-day route” feeling, with stops tied to how teams operate on game day
• Strong guide performance noted by name, including Olivier, Rob, Peter, Enrico, Tim, and Simon

Ajax’s home ground, named for Cruijff: what makes the VIP access feel special

Johan Cruijff ArenA is the big one in the Netherlands, and it’s also the arena most people associate with modern Dutch football. The VIP tour is interesting because it doesn’t treat the stadium like a museum. You’re routed through the functional spaces that make football work: the changing rooms, the decision-making areas, and the spots that put you in the match-day flow.

The tour’s hook is simple. You’re not just looking at Ajax from the outside. You’re being guided into the areas that are typically reserved for teams, management, and the press ecosystem around match day. That’s why it works even if you’re not a die-hard fan: the stadium’s layout starts to make sense fast, and suddenly the stands feel connected to the people who run the show.

Also, the experience is designed for a short visit: it runs about 2 hours. That matters in Amsterdam, where time can vanish between trams, canals, and “just one more” museum stop. This gives you a focused football hit without turning your day into a full half-day project.

Where to meet and how to get in: Main Entrance E, Bijlmer ArenA

Meeting is straightforward once you know the trick: enter Johan Cruijff ArenA at Main Entrance E. If you’re using public transport, take metro line 50 or 54 and get off at Bijlmer ArenA.

This is one of those details that can make or break a tour day. Stadium entrances can be confusing the first time you’re nearby, especially if you arrive early and end up circling. I’d rather you show up slightly early, find Main Entrance E, and settle in—rather than arrive at the exact moment and start searching while everyone else files in.

If you’re coming with a backpack or shopping bags, plan ahead. The tour doesn’t allow luggage or large bags, backpacks, or bags, so you’ll want to keep things to what you can comfortably carry within the rules. Think daypack-free, or bring a minimal bag you can handle without stress.

The VIP route inside: dressing rooms, management space, and the match-day path

The heart of the tour is the Ajax dressing room. This is where the emotional part of football happens: the moment preparation turns into focus. You’ll walk through that official space with a guide who connects it to Ajax’s identity—how the club thinks about talent, development, and the culture around the team.

From there, you move into other high-interest areas. A major stop is the boardroom, described as the kind of place only management can access during matches. Even if you’re not a business-spotter, it’s a cool contrast: on one side, the dressing room is about players getting ready. On the boardroom, you’re reminded that football decisions are also made off the pitch.

Many people find the experience gets extra real when the guide describes how match day feels from a football perspective—like what happens as teams walk the route and how spaces connect. Guides are repeatedly praised for making those transitions feel alive. One fan even mentioned how the tour used music to help them imagine what layers feel like as you exit the players tunnel—exactly the kind of detail that turns architecture into story.

You’ll likely also pass through match-day media or support spaces as part of the VIP loop (people specifically cite places like the press room). Even without that added context, the main idea stays the same: you’re moving through the stadium’s operating system, not just the seating.

What to watch for while you’re inside

• Look for the little transitions between public and private spaces. That’s where the VIP label makes sense.
• Take your time in photo-friendly spots, because the tour is paced to let you see each area, then reset and move.
• Ask the guide to connect the space to Ajax’s style. The best moments come when the guide ties layout to identity.

Skybox views plus a free drink: the moment you’ll want to linger

The skybox stop is the payoff. After the player and management areas, you ascend into a higher-level space where you can see the pitch from a VIP angle. This is where you get fantastic views of the field, and you do it with a free drink.

This matters because you leave with two kinds of memories. First, you have the practical backstage locations—the human side of football. Second, you get the visual “stadium as a stage” moment from the skybox. Together, they give you a fuller picture than either one would alone.

And yes, people love the feeling of being placed in the most exclusive seating vibe. Even if you’re traveling solo, this tends to create a shared sense of occasion in the group. It’s also a natural place to slow down. You’ll take photos, look for familiar parts of the stadium, and imagine the sound and pace you’d experience during a real match.

A note on the drink: the tour experience is described as a free soft drink in the skybox. So if you’re expecting a full bar experience, calibrate your expectations. This is about VIP access and atmosphere, not a long, alcohol-heavy hangout.

The included scarf and discounts: how $65 turns into more than a tour

At $65 per person, the VIP tour isn’t the cheapest way to see the stadium. The question is whether it earns its price in extras and access. Here’s the part that makes it feel like value.

You get an AFC Ajax scarf included with the tour. One review even noted the scarf can sell for around 20 euros in the fanshop. Even if you don’t treat that as an official valuation, it tells you the scarf isn’t just a tiny token. It’s the kind of souvenir you’ll actually use.

Next: you get 10% off at the official AFC Ajax Fanshop. That discount is one of those details that only matters if you plan to buy something. If you’re the kind of person who picks up one good supporter item—scarf, hat, jersey accessory—this tour nudges your purchase in a smart direction.

You also get 10% off food and drinks at Café Jopie. That’s useful if you’re planning to stay in the stadium area after the tour for a snack or a quick meal. It doesn’t turn the experience into a “free lunch,” but it reduces the sting of paying stadium prices.

The best value formula

If you do three things, the $65 starts to look like a deal:

• You want VIP access to backstage areas, not just seats
• You plan to use the souvenir time immediately after the tour
• You like the idea of a guided story around Ajax, not only photos

If you only want a quick stadium loop and you don’t care about the scarf or discounts, you might decide it’s too much.

What’s not included: match tickets and what that means for your timing

This tour does not include a match ticket. That matters because it changes what you should expect from the atmosphere. You’ll see the stadium in a VIP context, but you won’t be getting the full match-day energy that comes from kickoff, crowds, and team warmups.

It also affects your photo mindset. Instead of photographing a live event, you’re photographing spaces that feel like they belong to one. That’s still fun—many people prefer it, because you can move around and take pictures without worrying about play-by-play.

If you’re in Amsterdam during a matchweek, consider this tour as the stadium prep. You’ll likely appreciate the stadium more when you later attend a game—or at least you’ll understand the building better than a first-time visitor who only sees stands.

Timing, pacing, and how to make the most of your 2 hours

The duration is listed as 2 hours, and that’s enough time to hit the big stops without rushing through them like a cattle-car tour. Some people report the tour can run around 2.5 hours, so I’d mentally allow a little buffer in your schedule.

Here’s how you squeeze the most out of the experience:

• Arrive at Main Entrance E early enough to settle before your group gathers.
• Bring only what’s allowed (no backpacks or bags), so you’re not dealing with storage at the last minute.
• Listen for the guide’s club stories. The best comments tend to be about how Ajax’s identity shows up in the spaces themselves.
• Use the photo windows the guide gives you. People are specifically noted as being given time to take photos and look around at stops, and that’s where the tour becomes memorable.

Most guides are praised for pacing that includes small moments to talk. That’s especially helpful in mixed groups where some people are hardcore Ajax fans and others are there for the experience. If you’re not a football specialist, ask simple questions early. Guides like Olivier, Rob, Peter, Enrico, Tim, and Simon are described as friendly and full of facts about Ajax and football in general.

Who should book this VIP tour: fans, families, and the Ajax-curious

This tour is built for football lovers, sure. But it also works for people who don’t follow Ajax every weekend.

If you’re buying a gift, this is a strong candidate. There’s an example in the provided feedback of someone who wasn’t a football fan but bought it for a partner—and still ended up enjoying the tour because the guide’s enthusiasm made it feel human, not technical.

Families can also make it work. The tour is about 2 hours, so it doesn’t require a long endurance test. Just remember the restrictions on bags. If you’re traveling with kids, plan for what they’ll need, then pack it in a way that fits the bag rules.

It’s also a great pick if you care about how institutions operate. The boardroom stop adds a different angle: it’s not only player life. You see a management-access space, which gives you a sense of how football decisions happen beyond the pitch.

And for Amsterdam logistics: the stadium is easy to reach by metro line 50 or 54 to Bijlmer ArenA, which is exactly what you want if your schedule is already packed.

Should you book the Johan Cruijff ArenA VIP Tour?

Book it if you want a guided VIP walk through Ajax’s match-day spaces—especially the dressing room and the skybox. The combination of access, the free soft drink, and the included AFC Ajax scarf is what makes this tour feel worth the money to most people.

Skip it or think twice if:

• You’re mainly chasing a match atmosphere and you need a ticket (this tour doesn’t include one)
• You’re traveling with luggage, backpacks, or multiple bags and don’t want to deal with restrictions
• You’d rather spend your time on museums or canal time and only want a quick stadium peek

If you’re on the fence, a good rule is this: if stadium tours are part of your travel style, and you like learning how places work, this one delivers. The VIP angle isn’t a gimmick here—it’s built into the stops.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the VIP tour?

Meet at Johan Cruijff ArenA at the Main Entrance E.

How do I get there by public transport?

Take metro line 50 or 54 and get off at Bijlmer ArenA.

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is listed as 2 hours.

Is the tour guide available in English?

Yes. The tour offers a live guide in English and Dutch.

What is included in the price?

Included items are the guide, a unique AFC Ajax scarf, one drink, access to exclusive areas, and 10% discount at the official AFC Ajax Fanshop plus 10% discount on food and drinks at Café Jopie.

Is a match ticket included?

No. Match tickets are not included.

What drink do I get?

You get a free soft drink in an exclusive skybox.

Are there restrictions on bags or luggage?

Yes. Luggage or large bags, backpacks, and bags are not allowed.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible.

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