Book your Johan Cruyff Arena tour tickets online in advance and choose the 60-75 minute Classic tour that’s perfect for kids. Arrive early on match days since tours close before games, and let your children walk through the actual players’ tunnel to feel like football stars. The self-guided option lets you move at your kids’ pace while exploring the Gallery of Fame‘s interactive displays. There’s so much more your family can discover during this unforgettable stadium adventure.
- Choose the Kids Tour for Budget-Friendly Family Fun
- Book Your Tickets in Advance to Secure Your Preferred Time Slot
- Arrive Early to Avoid Game Day Closures
- Let Kids Experience the Player Tunnel and Pitch Access
- Take Advantage of the Self-Guided Option for Flexible Pacing
- Visit the Ajax Gallery of Fame to Learn Club History Together
- Upgrade to VIP for Exclusive Dressing Room Access and Free Drinks
- Combine Your Visit With Ajax Fanshop and Febo Boulevard Discounts
- Plan Around the 1 Hour 15 Minute Duration for Younger Children
- The Sum Up
Choose the Kids Tour for Budget-Friendly Family Fun
When you’re planning a family trip to Johan Cruyff Arena, the Kids Tour offers the best bang for your buck if you’ve got children aged 5-12. This interactive experience packs serious value into one ticket price.
Your kids get the full stadium walkthrough—pitchside access, dressing rooms, and Gallery of Fame—plus extras that standard tours don’t include.
The tour features fun activities like completing an “Arena passport” with questions and tasks, plus a mini soccer game on the boarding field. Each child receives a free Ajax sports bottle and enjoys included snacks and drinks, saving you money on souvenirs and refreshments.
While it’s conducted in Dutch, the structured format with games and short activities keeps kids engaged without needing expensive add-ons or entertainment. Remember that advance booking is required for the Kids Tour, so plan ahead to secure your family’s spot.
Book Your Tickets in Advance to Secure Your Preferred Time Slot
Since Johan Cruyff Arena tours operate daily from 9:30am to 5:30pm with limited spots available, you’ll want to book your tickets online well before your visit. This guarantees your family gets the perfect time slot that works with your kids’ schedules.
You can purchase tickets through Ajax’s official website or platforms like tours-tickets.com and headout.com. Online booking lets you skip those long entrance lines – just show your mobile ticket with photo ID at entrance E near the fanshop. After a quick security check, you’re in!
For families traveling together, advance booking ensures everyone gets spots on the same tour. Tours last 75-120 minutes depending on your choice, and the self-guided format means little ones can explore at their own comfortable pace. The stadium’s location near Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA train station makes it easily accessible by public transport for families visiting the city.
Arrive Early to Avoid Game Day Closures
Although the Johan Cruyff Arena welcomes visitors most days, Ajax match days and major concerts can completely shut down regular tours or drastically limit your access to key areas. You’ll want to check the official stadium website 1-2 weeks before your visit to spot any “event days” that might disrupt normal tour schedules.
If you’re visiting on a match day, arrive early for the first tour slots around 9:30-10:30 AM. This gives you plenty of time to complete the 60-75 minute tour plus browse the fan shop before crowds arrive. Keep in mind that tours depart every 20 minutes on weekends compared to every 30 minutes on weekdays, so you’ll have more flexibility in your scheduling during weekend visits.
The stadium opens to fans about 1.5 hours before kickoff, so late-afternoon tours risk route restrictions and security lockdowns that’ll disappoint your kids.
Let Kids Experience the Player Tunnel and Pitch Access
What could be more thrilling for young football fans than walking the exact same path their Ajax heroes take on match day? The Kids Tour delivers exactly this experience, letting children aged 5-12 walk through the players’ tunnel, reach the dugouts, and stand pitchside like professional players.
You’ll get access to Ajax’s dressing rooms, the mixed zone, press room, and Gallery of Fame for maximum behind-the-scenes exposure.
The Kids Tour includes a soccer game on the boarding field next to the main pitch, keeping little ones actively engaged rather than just viewing. Guides often play entrance music when your group emerges from the tunnel, creating that dramatic match-day atmosphere.
Book the Dutch-speaking Kids Tour or request a private English tour for the most interactive experience your young football fans will remember. Children can sit on their favorite players’ seats in the Ajax dressing room during the tour.
Take Advantage of the Self-Guided Option for Flexible Pacing
When you’re managing restless kids who want to sprint ahead or toddlers who need frequent breaks, the self-guided Johan Cruijff ArenA Classic Tour becomes your best friend. You’ll move at your family’s pace without rushing through a 60-75 minute route that feels endless for little ones.
The audio-visual commentary keeps older kids engaged while younger siblings can focus on exploring the dugout and dressing rooms. You can pause for bathroom breaks, skip crowded sections, or linger longer at exciting spots like the stadium stands without holding up a group.
Staff positioned throughout answer questions when needed, but you won’t deal with constant stop-and-talk moments that frustrate restless children. This autonomous exploration allows families to discover the largest stadium in the Netherlands without the pressure of keeping up with a guided group’s schedule. Plus, it’s cheaper than guided tours, leaving more budget for snacks at Café Jopie.
Visit the Ajax Gallery of Fame to Learn Club History Together
Your family tour concludes at the Ajax Gallery of Fame, where four distinct themes bring 125 years of club history to life through an engaging mix of trophies, artifacts, and cutting-edge technology.
You’ll explore Ajax’s golden eras from the 1970s Cruyff generation to the 1990s Van Gaal period, plus national titles and the club’s youth development future.
The centerpiece displays ten major trophies, including four Champions League cups, while the spectacular 360° oval video wall immerses kids in historic moments through animations and iconic goal footage.
Don’t miss Johan Cruyff’s dedicated section, where you can explain the Arena’s namesake and his legendary number 14 jersey. The gallery houses an extensive collection of football shirts, badges, scarves, photos, cards, and letters that showcase the club’s rich heritage.
Use original shirts and artifacts as conversation starters to teach your children about European tournaments, club traditions, and why Ajax remains a football powerhouse.
Upgrade to VIP for Exclusive Dressing Room Access and Free Drinks
If you’re looking to make your Arena visit truly unforgettable, the VIP tour upgrade grants access to exclusive areas that regular visitors never see. You’ll explore Ajax’s actual dressing room where players prepare for matches, walk through the players’ tunnel, and even sit in the manager’s dugout. Your kids will love stepping onto the pitch and visiting the press room where interviews happen.
The 120-minute experience includes complimentary drinks in the Sky Lounge – soft drinks for kids and beer for adults. Everyone receives an exclusive Ajax scarf as a keepsake, plus you’ll get 10% off fanshop purchases. The tour operates with daily schedules from 09:30am to 05:30pm, making it easy to plan around your family’s itinerary.
At €45 per person, children ages 1-4 attend free. The tour’s wheelchair accessible, and you can cancel up to 24 hours beforehand.
Combine Your Visit With Ajax Fanshop and Febo Boulevard Discounts
Before heading home, you’ll want to explore the Ajax Fanshop and Johan Cruijff Boulevard‘s family-friendly attractions that surround the stadium. The fanshop opens at 09:30 most days, perfectly aligning with tour times. Use click-and-collect to skip queues—order online beforehand and pick up your Ajax gear quickly while kids stay happy.
Time your visit strategically around matchdays when crowds surge. Non-event days offer the calmest experience between 07:00-18:00 on weekdays. The boulevard features Pathé Arena cinema, plus stores like Decathlon and MediaMarkt for additional family browsing.
On match days, the fanshop opens 10:00 until 30 minutes before kick-off, then reopens after games. Book morning tours on event days to avoid afternoon crowds and secure the best shopping experience. If you can’t make it to the arena location, the Kalverstraat fanshop in central Amsterdam offers the same official merchandise with convenient city center access.
Plan Around the 1 Hour 15 Minute Duration for Younger Children
When planning your Johan Cruyff Arena adventure, expect tours to last between 60-75 minutes—perfect for keeping little ones engaged without stretching their attention spans too thin.
The Classic tour clocks in at 60 minutes with a self-paced route through stadium highlights. Guided tours extend to 75 minutes with richer storytelling and deeper access via lift to the dugout.
Book slots run daily from 09:30-16:30, but advance booking’s compulsory. Avoid game days when tours close. Children aged under 2 qualify for free admission on all tour types.
The shorter Classic option works brilliantly for younger children who might struggle with longer experiences. Both tours cover the same essential areas, so you won’t miss key highlights.
Follow the designated route to finish on time and prevent little legs from getting too tired.
The Sum Up
You’ll create amazing memories exploring the Johan Cruyff Arena with your kids! Remember to pick the kids’ tour, book early, and arrive with time to spare. Let your little ones run through that player tunnel – they’ll feel like real soccer stars! The self-guided option means you can take breaks when needed. Don’t forget to grab some souvenirs at the fanshop before heading home. Your family adventure awaits!
