Rail disruptions expected on Saturday as Ajax game and Ziggo Dome concert draw crowds

ProRail’s urgent repairs to two damaged railway switches near Duivendrecht this weekend are expected to significantly disrupt travel for both football supporters and music fans, NS has said. The disruptions coincide with Ajax’s 8 p.m. home match against Fortuna Sittard at the ArenA and a 7 p.m. Saturday concert by rap musician Cho at the Ziggo Dome.

The emergency work comes after a previous switch failure near Duivendrecht, which has disrupted train services with delays since January 29. NS admits that it did not anticipate the moment or extent of the urgent work. As a result, it has limited room to mitigate the inconvenience for travelers, though it says it is making every effort to ease the disruption. The company hopes to offer more detailed information about the consequences on Thursday.

In the past week, trains were required to slow to 40 km per hour when passing the damaged switches as a safety precaution, while ProRail worked on a lasting fix. Because the damage was so complex, repairs could not be completed during standard nighttime maintenance periods.

Train services to and from Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA will be suspended from noon on Saturday until 6 a.m. Monday due to urgent repair work. ProRail warned that the disruption would significantly affect rail connections between Utrecht and Amsterdam.

ProRail conceded that the disruption is “very unfortunate” for travelers and carriers, yet stressed that the work is necessary to ensure rail safety. The company said postponing repairs to the switches is not an option.

Up to 17,000 people can attend Cho’s concert, Diamant uit Bijlmer: The Second Date, at the Ziggo Dome. Combined with the crowd of over 50,000 anticipated for the Ajax–Fortuna Sittard match at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, the events will draw tens of thousands of visitors to the area Saturday night.

Passengers are being urged to take metro lines 50 or 54 to reach Bijlmer ArenA or Strandvliet. Significant congestion is anticipated on metro services near the events’ starting times. NS said the complete travel guidance for Saturday will likely be incorporated into the NS Reisplanner later Friday afternoon.