History and description

When DOS merged with Hercules to create FC Utrecht in 1971, the stadium became their home. The stadium has a capacity of 16,112 and has been used for professional football, athletics, and concerts. In 1985, the Dutch national team played their first ever international match at Galgenwaard against Spain. The Ministry of War objected to the plans for a stadium at a site surrounded by fortresses that served as a defence line for the West of the country.

However, the Ministry dropped their protest and Galgenwaard Stadium officially opened on 21 May 1936. The stadium was bowl-shaped at this time and included a cycling track around the pitch.

In the 1970s, after three Utrecht clubs had merged to form FC Utrecht, the stadium was in need of an update with few seats and cover. This made it difficult for the club to cope with increasing hooliganism of the times.

On 21 April 1981, the last match of the old Galgenwaard stadium was played. After the game, Utrecht fans destroyed the stadium. This is seen as one of the lowest points in hooliganism in the Netherlands.

In a few months, the stadium underwent extensive redevelopment into a rectangular shape with four separate stands at each end.

The Galgenwaard was seen as one of the first modern stadiums of Europe, and it served as an example for future UEFA and FIFA regulations. It was mentioned in the Taylor Report as a design example for future stadium construction.

However, only 20 years later, design standards had progressed to the point where the stadium was again outdated and in 2001 a new redevelopment program started that saw the gradual reconstruction of all four stands. The completely renovated stadium was finished in the summer of 2004.

(photos of the present Stadion Galgenwaard below)

How to get to Stadion Galgenwaard

The stadium is located in the east of Utrecht, about 2.5 kilometers from the city center and 3 kilometers from the central railway station.  

There are several bus lines that connect the stadium with the central train station and city center. However, service on the weekends is less frequent.

Alternatively, take bus 329 from the central train station and get off at stop Koningin Wilhelmina. The journey takes about 20 minutes.

During the week, Line 12 in the direction of De Uithof WKZ is an alternate. Get off at stop Stadion Galgenwaard. The ride only takes 8 minutes and buses leave many times per hour.

Address: Herculesplein 241, 3584 AA Utrecht

Eat, drink, and sleep near Stadion Galgenwaard

The Stadion Galgenwaard stadium is located in an area that is a mix of residential houses, office buildings, other sports facilities, and a hospital. There aren't many local places to eat and drink though, so it's better done in Utrecht's charming city centre. There are no hotels near the stadium Galgenwaard, but plenty of options to choose from in Utrecht. You can find an overview on this page.

FC Utrecht Tickets

Tickets for FC Utrecht matches can be bought online, at the stadium's Fanshop, or at the Fanshop at shopping centre Hoog Catharijne, adjacent to the central rail station. If you want to attend a match at FC Utrecht where there is a high risk of fan violence, you will need to possess a Utrecht Club Card.

If tickets remain available, FC Utrecht will also sell them at the ticket windows of the stadium on the day of the match. However, same club card requirements apply. FC Utrecht only sell out occasional high-profile matches.

Tickets can vary in price from around fifteen pounds for a seat behind one of the goals to around thirty-five pounds for a seat at the main stand. Prices increase for three high profile matches to between twenty-two and thirty-five pence.

You can find a seating map here. For more information, email [email protected] or call +31 (0)30 8885555.

Relevant Internet links

FC Utrecht is the official website of FC Utrecht, and Visit-Utrecht.com is the website of the Utrecht tourist office. GVU.nl is the public transport information website, and 9292ov.nl is the public transport journey planner.