History and description

The Abe Lenstra Stadium was one of the first newly-built modern stadiums in the Netherlands. Until the 1990s, Heerenveen had played at a ground with the same name elsewhere in the town, but it could not meet the increasing popularity of the club and the site of the ground would make good use for expanding a nearby hospital. The stadium was completed in 2001.

The city council asked the designer to close the corners of the design, which she did.

Abe Lenstra Stadium was officially opened on August 20, 1994 with a friendly match between Heerenveen and PSV Eindhoven. Luís Nazario de Lima, commonly known as Ronaldo, made his European debut in this game.

The stadium originally had  13,800 seats, which sold out consistently from its inauguration. Plans were therefore soon made for an expansion to increase the seating capacity to over 20,000.

Facilities within the corporate area were improved in a first step in 2004. This allowed for proper expansion work to commence, involving the addition of extra rows of seating on three out of four stands. Work was gradually performed over the duration of a few years, and increased seating capacity to its current level.

Heerenveen have considered further expansions, but have since decided not to go ahead with them as attendances have declined in recent years.

How to get to Abe Lenstra Stadion

The Abe Lenstra Stadion is located east of Heerenveen's town centre and train station. The walk from the centre will take about 10 minutes, and the walk from the train station about 5 to 10 minutes more. Alternatively, you can take bus 48 to Lemmer Lemsterpad. Get off at stop Abe Lenstra Boulevard and buses leave two to three times an hour for the 7-minute journey.

Abe Lenstra Stadion is adjacent to the A32 motorway. Exit 11 (from the south) or 12 (from the north) onto the A32, and follow signs to the stadium. The stadium can be seen clearly from the motorway.

Address: Abe Lenstra boulevard 19, 8448JA Heerenveen

Heerenveen Tickets

Tickets for SC Heerenveen games can be bought online or at the club shop at the stadium. If tickets remain available, fans can purchase them on the day of the match at the ticket windows of Abe Lenstra Stadium. Heerenveen has seen a slight drop in attendance recently, which makes tickets easily available in advance.

Heerenveen require a club card to be able to purchase tickets, so please check the official website for any club card requirements for a particular match.

Ticket prices range from $20.00 for a seat in one of the corners to $25.00 for a central seat at the main stand. Prices for high-profile matches get increased to between $26.00 and $31.00.

You can find a seating plan here.

Abe Lenstra Stadion tours

The Heerenveen stadium offers guided tours that visit the dressing rooms, players tunnel, VIP lodges, press room, players home, and the Pronkkeamer Heerenveen museum. The tour lasts about 120 minutes. Tours require a reservation of at least 8 participants. No individual options are currently available. Call +31 (0) 513 612 100 or email [email protected] for more information.

Relevant Internet links

The website sc-heerenveen.nl and the tourist office website 9292ov.nl are both official websites of SC Heerenveen. The public transport journey planner, 9292ov.nl, provides information on how to get around Heerenveen using public transportation.