Ajax may be unable to play home games in the European play-offs in their home stadium, the Johan Cruijff ArenA, because the stadium is currently booked for concerts by pop star Harry Styles during those dates. Even though no concerts are scheduled on those specific dates, the stadium cannot host football matches because the concert stage will remain in place, and the logistical and security requirements make it impossible to organize a match in between.
The Johan Cruijff ArenA has been booked from May 16 to June 5, 2026, for a series of ten concerts by Harry Styles, scheduled for May 16, 17, 20, 22, 23, 26, 29, and 30, and June 4, and 5. At the same time, the Eredivisie traditionally holds play-offs at the end of the season to determine a European qualification spot, with the semi-finals on May 21 and the final on May 24.
A stadium spokesperson said there is an agreement between Ajax and the Johan Cruijff ArenA, under which the venue is always reserved for Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, and European matches. Yet, this arrangement does not apply to the play-offs in May and June. From roughly mid-May to mid-July, Ajax does not pay rent for the stadium, meaning the ArenA is free to use the venue for large events such as concerts.
The situation will only arise if Ajax are unable to finish any higher than fifth in the league table; the spots from fifth to eighth mean play-offs for European football. The Amsterdammers are currently in fifth place, having announced a change of manager until the end of the season.
Ajax has confirmed that it has approached multiple clubs to explore alternative venues for potential play-off matches. The club has not disclosed which teams it has contacted, stating it does not aim for to speculate ahead of the final league standings. “We are not commenting on this at the moment,” said an Ajax spokesperson.
One of the clubs approached is Heracles Almelo. The mayor of Almelo, Richard Korteland, confirmed that Ajax had made the request to Heracles’ management. “I don’t require to be secretive about this. We see correct that Ajax asked Heracles if they would consider hosting the play-off games. Heracles then asked me if I would support such a move,” Korteland said.
Korteland added that while he was initially open to the idea, several obstacles have emerged. “I was favorably inclined toward the idea. However, this involves an event permit, which requires advice. We have encountered a number of problems ” he explained.
Heracles Almelo currently plays its home matches at the Erve Asito stadium in Almelo. The club is battling relegation from the Eredivisie and may itself need to participate in promotion-relegation playoffs to avoid dropping to the Eerste Divisie.
The Johan Cruijff ArenA, located in Amsterdam, is the largest stadium in the Netherlands and has a capacity of over 55,000 spectators. It has been Ajax’s home ground since 1996 and regularly hosts major football matches, concerts, and other large-scale events.
Harry Styles’ 2026 tour includes multiple stops across Europe, with the Amsterdam shows being part of a broader schedule that has seen the artist perform in major cities throughout the continent. The ten-concert run in Amsterdam is among the longest residencies of his current tour.
The Dutch football season typically concludes in late April or early May, followed by playoff matches for European qualification spots. Teams finishing fifth through eighth in the Eredivisie enter a knockout competition to determine which club earns the final Europa Conference League berth available through league position.
Ajax’s pursuit of a European ticket through the play-offs would mark a departure from their usual automatic qualification via high league placement. The club has consistently finished in the top three of the Eredivisie in recent seasons, securing direct entry into the UEFA Champions League or Europa League group stages.
Should Ajax fail to secure a top-four finish, the play-offs would represent their only remaining path to European competition for the 2026-2027 season. The winner of the playoff final earns a spot in the third qualifying round of the Europa Conference League.
The club has emphasized that it remains focused on improving its league position through direct performance in the remaining regular-season matches. Ajax still has several league fixtures to play and could theoretically rise as high as third place or fall as low as seventh, depending on results.
As of now, no official decision has been made regarding alternate venues, and Ajax has stated it will not enter into discussions about specific stadiums until the need arises. The club maintains that it will address the situation only if and when it becomes necessary to secure a play-off venue outside Amsterdam.
The Johan Cruijff ArenA’s management has reiterated that while the stadium prioritizes Ajax for domestic and European fixtures during the majority of the year, the pre-existing agreement allows for external bookings during the late spring and early summer window when the club typically does not require the facility for competitive matches.
Fans of Ajax have expressed concern on social media about the potential need to travel to other cities for crucial playoff matches, noting that such a scenario would diminish the traditional home advantage in high-stakes games. Others have acknowledged the logistical reality of shared stadium use in a densely populated country like the Netherlands.
Harry Styles’ representatives have not publicly commented on the scheduling conflict, and the artist’s tour continues as planned. The concerts at the Johan Cruijff ArenA are proceeding according to the original schedule, with tickets having been sold months in advance.
The next key date in the Eredivisie season is the final matchday, which will determine the final league standings and clarify whether Ajax will indeed need to participate in the play-offs. Only after that point will the club’s contingency planning for alternative venues grow immediately relevant.
For ongoing updates on Ajax’s league position and any developments regarding stadium arrangements for potential playoff matches, readers are encouraged to follow official club communications and trusted sports news outlets.
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