First stand of Amsterdam ArenA is already changing seats to red. Meanwhile, the long anticipated expansion of the east stand’s promenade and new façade will shape up in upcoming months.

As announced late last year, the lower south stand is currently seeing the biggest appearance change since Amsterdam ArenA opened in 1996. New, only red seats are being installed throughout the stand as the first phase of the stadium’s complete seating replacement.

In just a few weeks these sections should be ready, aided by four new rows of seating already set up in front of the stand. All of the stadium’s seats will be replaced by the end of 2017, in time for the first 2018 game.

© Ajax Life

Next week preparatory work will begin on a much different part of Amsterdam ArenA’s upgrade. It’s time for the east stand’s new larger concourses and façade. First announced in September 2015, this project will see great improvements for supporters on matchdays and additional revenue for the stadium.

It was initially hoped that work could commence already in 2016 but only before Christmas the contract was signed. That’s why preparatory work will begin within days while actual expansion will go on from February to early 2018, when it will look as in the the above rendering. Though fans will experience some disturbance, no sections of the stadium will be closed throughout the construction period.

After completion the east side will look as visualized below, while work will then move to north and south of the stadium, creating similar additions before Amsterdam ArenA becomes a Euro 2020 host stadium.