In ADO Den Haag’s illustrious history the Zuiderpark stadium plays a significant part. Despite the move to the Kyocera stadium in the Forepark, the Zuiderpark stadium will always hold a special spot in the hearts of ADO Den Haag supporters, thanks to the many legendary matches that were played there.
A large part of ADO Den Haag’s culture was being reflected by the Zuiderpark stadium. The stadium breathed an English atmosphere; the stands were close to the pitch, supporters that were behind their team for 90 minutes long and a home team that fought tooth and nail with the “Haagse bluff” attitude. Playing hard but fair.
ADO’s founders started to play on a small field under the Haagse Toren, the following years they drifted from one ground to another. Then in 1925 they finally moved to their new Zuiderpark stadium.
Below you will find the stadium’s history laid out.
18 Oct 1925
The official opening of the Zuiderpark stadium.
28 Oct 1928
Covered stand was first open to public.
21 Feb 1945
Celebration of the 40th anniversary of the club by handing out meals (as this took place in the “hunger winter” during the Second World War.
1946-1947
During this harsh winter the accomodation became deplorable as many of the wood from the stands had been stolen by locals to use as fuel for their home fires. Because of the unwilling attitude of the Municipality to renovate; the Board decided to buy the grounds themselves to start proper modernizations.
05 May 1949
Start of renovations.
09 Aug 1949
Inauguration of renewed stadium by an honorary match between ADO and Feyenoord which ADO lost 2-4.
1957
Long awaited expansions of the stadium from 14.000 to 25.000 capacity finally start; after completion of the first fase the stadium could hold 19.000 maximum.
17 Oct 1967
Finalization of second fase; opening of an extra stand enlarging the capacity 28.500.
1970
Due to the worsening behaviour of football fans in the late sixties the KNVB ordered wire mesh to be installed between the stands and the pitch.
08 Mar 1973
The opening of the newly built club house and restaurant with boardrooms and players home on the first floor.
17 Feb 1977
The start of building rooves for the stands behind the goals.
1977
A new five-year plan to renovate the stadium is written; renovations will include building of outs, new fencing, expansion of club house, building of a covered stand with seats.
13 Jul 1978
Start of expansion of the club house to such extent that only a few walls of the previous one would remain standing.
03 Feb 1979
Official opening of new club house which besided being much larger now included a luxurious bar and roof terrace.
03 Apr 1982
Fans set fire to the oldest stand dating from 1928 leaving a black smoldering spot.
1986
The burnt down stand is re-built and re-opened.
01 Mar 1987
A match between FC Den Haag and Ajax is abandoned because of serious crowd trouble on the East and North stands; by order of the major the North stand was closed down for some time.
1988
North stand is being renovated, nearly all standing place disappear.
07 Nov 1993
A long time wish from hard core fans comes true, the North stand is re-named Aad Mansveld stand in honour of their most famous and outstanding player.
1994, summer
All teams using the Zuiderpark stadium are forced to play elsewhere because of the World Equestrian Games; the stadium is returned to footballing purposes but found to be destroyed by rabbits that had ruined the playing surface totally, causing the stadium to be unfit for football for some time after.
1994 autumn
The Municipality demands that the stadium is made people friendly. This meant fences had to be removed, families needed their own stand to be safe, access for the disabled had to be possible.
01 Aug 1996
The new Staten stand which consists entirely of green and yellow seats is opened to fans.
1998 spring
A large parking area is built.
04 Apr 1996
A new business Lounge is opened.
2001-2002
The west stand is renamed Hyundai stand because of local car dealers sponsorship.
2006-2007
Farewell Season.
22 Apr 2007
The last match at Zuiderpark against FC Groningen.