SUPPORTERS will be given a commemorative pennant tomorrow evening as Ajax mark the 500th match played at the Amsterdam ArenA with a mouth-watering encounter with Celtic.
The iconic 53,502-seater stadium was opened by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and saw AC Milan defeat Ajax 3-0 in the inaugural fixture played there on August 14, 1996.
It hosted the 1998 Champions League final as Real Madrid defeated Juventus 1-0 thanks to a Predrag Mijatovic goal and Chelsea's Europa League final triumph over Benfica in 2013.
The ArenA also provided a fitting setting for five matches at Euro 2000, including the semi-final between Holland and Italy, which the co-hosts lost on penalties.
It is estimated more that 20 million fans have attended matches at the stadium and, 19 years after its opening, Ajax will toast the 500th fixture played at their imposing home when Celtic visit on Europa League duty.
"We want to thank all the fans for their loyalty and attendance," said the Amsterdam ArenA's stadium manager Jeroen van Iersel. "Fans will be given a pennant on the night."
"This is a proud feeling and we want everyone to have nice memories of the occasion."
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