Hundreds of Taylor Swift fans already present at the Johan Cruijff ArenA before concert
Hundreds of Taylor Swift fans have already gathered at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam. The American singer will perform on Thursday night in front of 55,000 people. People with VIP tickets are allowed into the stadium at 3:30 p.m., and all other visitors can go in one hour later.
Many fences have been placed by the ArenA to ensure that the concertgoers go into the stadium in the correct manner. There are signs everywhere which show the different entrances.
Fanatical Swift fans have sat since early morning to get the best possible spot at the concert. Numbers are written on their hands, indicating the order in which they can enter.
Some fans had a warming blanket around them early in the morning, but most now sit in the sunshine with their skirts and dresses. Many Swifties, as Swift's fanbase is known, wear exuberant outfits with glitter, usually in the color that matches their favorite album.
They kill the time by doing makeup, making friendship bracelets, singing, playing card games, and eating, an ANP reporter said. As usual, the Swifties exchange bead bracelets with each other, and some also share them with the many security guards around the ArenA.
Some fans were there at 4 a.m., they told reporters. Spending the night at the Arena was not allowed.
A municipality spokesperson said it was quiet near the stadium on Wednesday night after merchandise sales had finished. "No tents were set up, and the police checked several times to see whether people were trying to spend the night in the nearby area. In the end, nobody had to be sent away."
The area where Taylor Swift merchandise is sold is busy once more. Thousands of Taylor Swift stood in line for hours on Wednesday to buy a t-shirt or a hoodie of their idol.
Twice as many employees have been used for the merchandise booths in this concert than is usually the case. Arnoud Maas, owner of Arnie Merch, has 170 employees working in and around the Johan Cruijff ArenA. "Usually, we have something like 80 people working."
The famous singer's shirts, hoodies, sweaters, bags, and arm bracelets are in great demand at the sales point outside the ArenA.
Arnie Merch is responsible for the sale of all merchandise at all concerts in the Amsterdam stadium, as well as at the Ziggo Dome and AFAS Live. According to Maas, four full merchandise trucks have already been delivered, and new ones will arrive when the items run out.
Reporting by ANP