Ajax Experience

Sports Museum in entry at Utrechtsestraat , DA Amsterdam

52°21′58″N 4°53′52″E / 52.3661°N 4.8978°E / 52.3661; 4.8978TypeSports MuseumCuratorPaul van den BoomWebsiteOfficial website^{[permanent dead link]} (in Dutch)

The Ajax Experience was a museum dedicated to AFC Ajax' club history in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The museum, located at the Rembrandtplein, was opened on 24 September 2011 and closed within two years after a 9 million euro loss.

History

On 24 September 2011,^[1] Ajax Amsterdam opened the Ajax Experience as an attempt to bring the World of Ajax tour closer to Amsterdam-Centrum. Designed by Sid Lee and Gsmprjct°, the Ajax Experience was an interactive experience which shared the philosophy of the club with the public, as well as bring the audience closer to the likes of Johan Cruijff, Marco van Basten or Wesley Sneijder. Various national and international trophies that were won by the club over the years were on public display as well.^[2] With an estimated 3,5 million to 4,5 million fans in the Netherlands, and even more abroad, the Ajax Experience aimed to cater to the various fans who not only frequent the Amsterdam ArenA or Sportpark De Toekomst, but also those who are visiting Amsterdam as a tourist destination who are not looking to deviate too far from the trusted central area near by frequented destinations such as Stopera, Joods Historisch Museum, Tunfun, or Artis.^[3]

Location

Situated on the famed Rembrandtsplein in Amsterdam-Centrum in a former ABN-AMRO banking facility, the 1,400 m² space proved to be optimal to provide the needed room to supply an interactive experience which featured cinematic match summaries, while showcasing the overall successes and big names associated with the club on the historic downtown square.^[4]

Dissolution

On 23 July 2013 it was announced that Ajax would discontinue the Ajax Experience, citing a loss in revenue as the cause for the discontinuation of the establishment.^[5] The World of Ajax situated at the stadium would however continue to serve as a touristic function for the club, while the fanshop situated at the same location as the Experience remained open until 1 February 2014.^[6] The club made a reported €9 Million loss over the course of two years through the museum, which resulted in its immediate shutdown only 2 years after its opening day.^[7]

References

^ Pretwerk. "Nieuwe attractie in Amsterdam geopend: De Ajax Experience". Retrieved 8 November 2013.
^ A Football Report. "The Ajax Experience x Sid Lee Architecture". Retrieved 8 November 2013.
^ Het Parool. "Ajax krijgt 'experience center' in Amsterdam". Retrieved 8 November 2013.
^ Het Parool. "Ajax Experience opent op Rembrandtplein". Retrieved 8 November 2013.
^ Beurs.NL. "Ajax stopt met verliesgevende project Ajax Experience". Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
^ De Telegraaf. "Ajax stopt met Ajax Experience". Retrieved 8 November 2013.
^ RTL Z. "Ajax verliest 9 miljoen euro op museum". Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2013.