Amsterdam Sports

When it comes to Amsterdam sports, the most famous team is undoubtedly Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax, one of three soccer clubs along with PSV and Feyenoord that dominate the Dutch national football league (Eredivisie). Also known as AFC Ajax, Ajax Amsterdam, and just plain old Ajax, the soccer team has no trouble filling the Amsterdam Arena – the biggest stadium in the entire country.

Beyond footie, sports in Amsterdam also include ABC Amsterdam who have been major basketball contenders since the 1940s, and the Amsterdam Pirates who operate both a pro baseball and softball league.

Given that Amsterdam is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world, it’s no surprise that cycling is a major component of the social scene as well, whether for sport or just to commute across town.

As evidence of the Dutch’s varied interests, field hockey and volleyball also rank high on the national sports scene, while the Amsterdam Marathon is considered by seasoned runners to be one of the top ten marathons in the world. Then there’s the Weed Olympics.    ← read less