De Toekomst

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

In 1991, the decision to replace the former De Meer Stadion with the new Amsterdam ArenA necessitated new training grounds for both amateur and youth teams. The original plan was to establish facilities at Sportpark Strandvliet on the Zwartelaantje, but tenants SV Amstelland refused to relocate. Consequently, Ajax shifted focus to Sportpark De Toekomst in Ouder-Amstel, where previous tenants TOS-Actief were willing to vacate. Designed by René van Zuuk and opened in 1996, the main stand features a bent canopy hanging off two leaning pillars, earning Van Zuik the National Steel Price for 'characteristic steel components'. Since June 6, 2009, these stands have been named after former coach and honorary member Bobby Haarms. The letters 'ajax' on the grandstand are replicas of those once mounted at De Meer Stadion; the originals now hang above the entrance to the Johan Cruyff Arena.

In Their Own Story

The facility's capacity has evolved with its teams. When Jong Ajax (Ajax 2) began competing in the Eerste Divisie in the 2013–14 season, an expansion added 800 seats to the main stand and 100 for visiting supporters, bringing the main field's total seating to 2,250 people. The complex also serves as the home of the Future Cup, an international tournament for under-17 youth teams named after the sport park itself. Inside, the grounds support a rigorous pipeline: A-juniors (A1, A2), B-juniors (B1, B2), C-juniors (C1, C2), D-pupils (D1, D2, D3), E-pupils (E1, E2, E3), and F-pupils (F1, F2, F3) all train within these nine fields. The covered grandstand seats 1,250, while the club house provides seating for another 250.

Reader's Guide

Visitors can witness Ajax's operational breadth across its nine football fields. The complex hosts matches for Ajax Women in the Eredivisie Vrouwen, Jong Ajax in the Eerste Divisie, and Ajax Amateurs in the Derde Divisie. It is also the training ground for the first team of Ajax. While access to training sessions is typically restricted, fans can attend matches at the main field, which holds 2,250 spectators, or experience the atmosphere during the Future Cup tournament. The site stands as a functional legacy of the club's history, connecting the original De Meer Stadion spirit through its replica signage to the modern era of youth development in Ouder-Amstel.

Did You Know?

• The letters 'ajax' on the main grandstand are replicas of those from De Meer Stadion; the originals now hang above the entrance to the Johan Cruyff Arena.
• Since June 6, 2009, the main stands have been named after Bobby Haarms, a former coach and honorary member of the club.
• The expansion for Jong Ajax's Eerste Divisie campaign in 2013–14 added 800 seats to the main stand and 100 for visiting supporters.
• De Toekomst was chosen over Sportpark Strandvliet because tenants SV Amstelland refused to relocate, whereas TOS-Actief at De Toekomst agreed to vacate.
• The complex hosts the Future Cup, an international tournament for under-17 youth teams named after the sport park.