Rat Verlegh Stadion
Encyclopedia
The Rat Verlegh Stadion (ˈrɑt vər.ˈlɛx ˈstaː.di.ˌjɔn) is a multi-purpose stadium
in Breda
, The Netherlands. The stadium is the home of the association football club NAC Breda
(1996 to present). It was formerly known as FUJIFILM
Stadium (1996–2003) and Mycom Stadium (2003–2006), named after two former NAC sponsors. In 2006 NAC Breda named the stadium after its most famous NAC Player, Antoon Verlegh
.
The stadium was built from 1995 to 1996 at a cost of €
13.2 million, and was officially opened on August 11, 1996. It has been used for association football, concerts, and other events. It has a capacity of 19,000 fans, including 1,500 standing room-only, for sports matches. The stadium has been used for several Intertoto matches, UEFA Cup matches and international matches. Concerts have also been held at the Rat Verlegh stadion.
located at the Beatrixstraat, or to build a new stadium within Breda’s city borders. Renovation of the original stadium was too costly and in 1993 NAC Breda announced plans to build a new stadium. In mutual agreement with the city of Breda, the grounds near the Lunetstraat in Breda were allocated as the new stadium zone.
On 18 August 1995 the construction of the new stadium began. NAC Breda announced that FUJIFILM
had signed a contract for 10 years, in which the stadium’s name would be named after NAC’s former main sponsor. After a construction period of almost one year, the stadium was officially opened by Breda’s mayor Fred Rutten and KNVB
chairman Jos Staatsen. After the official opening, NAC Breda played their first match in front of 17,000 fans in the FUJIFILM Stadium against vice World Champion Porto Alegrense Gremio from Brazil
.
NAC’s first official match was at 16 August 1996 in a Cup tie
against Dordrecht 90. NAC player Stanley MacDonald scored the first goal in the new stadium. During its existence, the stadium was host for numerous competition matches, cup ties, friendly matches, but also Intertoto matches, a UEFA Cup match and an international friendly between Ecuador
and Turkey
.
In 2003 the stadium was renamed to the Mycom Stadion, at that time a sponsor of NAC Breda. In 2006 the stadium was renamed after NAC’s most famous and important player; Antoon 'Rat' Verlegh.
Multi-purpose stadium
Multi-purpose stadiums are a type of stadium designed in such a way as to be easily used by multiple sports. While any stadium could potentially host more than one sport, this concept usually refers to a specific design philosophy that stresses multi-functionality over specificity...
in Breda
Breda
Breda is a municipality and a city in the southern part of the Netherlands. The name Breda derived from brede Aa and refers to the confluence of the rivers Mark and Aa. As a fortified city, the city was of strategic military and political significance...
, The Netherlands. The stadium is the home of the association football club NAC Breda
NAC Breda
NAC Breda , simply often known as NAC, is a Dutch professional football club, based in Breda, Netherlands. NAC Breda play in the Rat Verlegh Stadium, named after their most important player, Antoon 'Rat' Verlegh. They play in the Dutch Eredivisie and are known by the fierce and fanatic support of...
(1996 to present). It was formerly known as FUJIFILM
Fujifilm
is a multinational photography and imaging company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.Fujifilm's principal activities are the development, production, sale and servicing of color photographic film, digital cameras, photofinishing equipment, color paper, photofinishing chemicals, medical imaging...
Stadium (1996–2003) and Mycom Stadium (2003–2006), named after two former NAC sponsors. In 2006 NAC Breda named the stadium after its most famous NAC Player, Antoon Verlegh
Antoon Verlegh
Antoon Verlegh , commonly known as Rat Verlegh , was a Dutch football player who is best known for his association with NAC Breda, whose Rat Verlegh Stadion is named in his honour. Antoon Verlegh was a player, trainer, editor, secretary, member of the board, vice chairman and chairman of honour at...
.
The stadium was built from 1995 to 1996 at a cost of €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
13.2 million, and was officially opened on August 11, 1996. It has been used for association football, concerts, and other events. It has a capacity of 19,000 fans, including 1,500 standing room-only, for sports matches. The stadium has been used for several Intertoto matches, UEFA Cup matches and international matches. Concerts have also been held at the Rat Verlegh stadion.
History
In November 1991 NAC Breda’s board officially announced that it researched the possibilities to either renovate the NAC StadionNAC Stadion
NAC Stadion was a multi-use stadium in Breda, Netherlands. It was used mostly for football matches and hosted the home matches of NAC Breda. The stadium was able to hold 20,000 people and opened in 1940. The stadium's capacity was gradually reduced to 10,850 in the nineties, due to security reasons...
located at the Beatrixstraat, or to build a new stadium within Breda’s city borders. Renovation of the original stadium was too costly and in 1993 NAC Breda announced plans to build a new stadium. In mutual agreement with the city of Breda, the grounds near the Lunetstraat in Breda were allocated as the new stadium zone.
On 18 August 1995 the construction of the new stadium began. NAC Breda announced that FUJIFILM
Fujifilm
is a multinational photography and imaging company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.Fujifilm's principal activities are the development, production, sale and servicing of color photographic film, digital cameras, photofinishing equipment, color paper, photofinishing chemicals, medical imaging...
had signed a contract for 10 years, in which the stadium’s name would be named after NAC’s former main sponsor. After a construction period of almost one year, the stadium was officially opened by Breda’s mayor Fred Rutten and KNVB
Royal Dutch Football Association
The Royal Dutch Football Association is the governing body of football in the Netherlands. It organises the main Dutch football leagues , the amateur leagues, the KNVB Cup, and the Dutch national football team. It is based in the municipality of Zeist.The KNVB came into being on 8 December 1889...
chairman Jos Staatsen. After the official opening, NAC Breda played their first match in front of 17,000 fans in the FUJIFILM Stadium against vice World Champion Porto Alegrense Gremio from Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
.
NAC’s first official match was at 16 August 1996 in a Cup tie
KNVB Cup
The KNVB Cup is a competition in the Netherlands organized by the Royal Dutch Football Association since 1899. It was based on the format of the English FA Cup. Outside of the Netherlands, it is often referred to as the Dutch Cup...
against Dordrecht 90. NAC player Stanley MacDonald scored the first goal in the new stadium. During its existence, the stadium was host for numerous competition matches, cup ties, friendly matches, but also Intertoto matches, a UEFA Cup match and an international friendly between Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
and Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
.
In 2003 the stadium was renamed to the Mycom Stadion, at that time a sponsor of NAC Breda. In 2006 the stadium was renamed after NAC’s most famous and important player; Antoon 'Rat' Verlegh.