Rotterdam Ahoy
Rotterdam Ahoy (formerly known as Ahoy Rotterdam or simply as Ahoy) is a multi-purpose complex with a convention centre and an indoor arena located in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Opened originally in 1950, the current complex consists of three main venues: a fairs and events hall, a congress and conference centre, and the main venue the Ahoy Arena. The latter (informally known as the Sportpaleis, lit. 'Sport Palace')[2] opened on 15 January 1971 and is the largest multi-purpose venue in the Netherlands, with a capacity of 16,426 as of May 2019.[1][3]
Rotterdam Ahoy
Ahoyweg 10
3084 BA Rotterdam
Netherlands
Ontwikkelingsbedrijf Rotterdam
AEG / ASM Global
1968–1970
15 January 1971
1980, 1998, 2011
1980, 1997, 2020
Ahoy Rotterdam
650 (Congreszaal)
16,426[1] (Ahoy Arena)
6,000 (Club Ahoy)
4,000 (Theater Hal 1)
7,819 (RTM Stage)
54,000 m2 (580,000 sq ft)
32,230 m2 (346,900 sq ft)
2,825 m2 (30,410 sq ft)
30,000 m2 (320,000 sq ft)
2,000 spaces
Background and history[edit]
Original exhibition hall[edit]
The venue has a history dating back to 1950. After the devastation of World War II, the entire city of Rotterdam needed to be rebuilt, as practically nothing was left standing. Five years after the end of the war, the works at the city and their harbor was almost finished. To celebrate the last phase, an exposition called Rotterdam Ahoy! was held. The exhibition was held in a single hall that was built for the occasion and was located where the Erasmus MC is exactly today.[4] The temporary exhibition hall was called Ahoy'-Hal and was used for both national and international events until 1966 when local authorities decided to demolish the hall. The hall was badly damaged during the North Sea flood of 1953, when was used as shelter for the victims.[5][6] After 1966, temporary accommodation was found at Hofdijk/Pompenburg in the center of Rotterdam, on the site of an abandoned airstrip.
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