Holland Sport Systems Builds the Largest Standing Section in the Netherlands at Abe Lenstra Stadium

The Abe Lenstra Stadium, the home stadium of sc Heerenveen, has, as of this season, the largest standing section in the Netherlands. The stadium’s north stand (Nieuw Noord) has been expanded from approximately 1,600 to no fewer than 2,800 standing-room-only seats. This was a unique stadium project in which Holland Sport Systems was responsible for designing and supplying the new standing-room-only stand.

Expansion of parking spaces

Expanding the standing section had long been a goal of sc Heerenveen. In total, we’ve been in discussions with them about this for about four years. The north side of the Abe Lenstra Stadium is home to a large portion of the team’s passionate fan base. Thanks to the expansion, approximately 2,800 fans can now be seated together in the standing section. This makes sc Heerenveen’s standing section the largest in the Netherlands. It was a special project that also received national attention from outlets such as the NOS and Studio Sport.

The design focused on more than just increasing capacity. Equally important were the safety of the fans, integration into the existing grandstand, and creating a solution suitable for intensive use during soccer matches.

Designed and supplied by Holland Sport Systems

For this project , Holland Sport Systems handled the technical planning, design, and delivery of the grandstand facilities.

For a project of this scale, the system must fit perfectly with the existing concrete grandstand, the desired capacity, and the applicable safety requirements. Based on these principles, a design was developed that allowed for the creation of a large standing section within the existing stadium structure. The actual assembly and installation at the Abe Lenstra Stadium were carried out by Bouwbedrijf Van Wijnen.

The consulting firm Sijperda-Hardy was involved in the safety-related aspects and the necessary coordination regarding the safety of the standing section.

The result is therefore the product of close collaboration between various specialized parties:

• Holland Sport Systems – design and delivery
• Van Wijnen – assembly and construction
• Sijperda-Hardy – Safety consulting and coordination

Standing Safely in a Modern Soccer Stadium

Safety is playing an increasingly important role in modern standing sections. For this reason, standing areas are equipped with railings that prevent fans from falling forward uncontrollably when the crowd moves.

SC Heerenveen also emphasizes that the use of such facilities is an important part of being able to safely offer standing room.

For Holland Sport Systems, this means that when designing a standing section, capacity is never considered in isolation from safety. Dimensions, positioning, construction, and fan movements must all be considered together to create a well-functioning section.

Why choose Holland Sport Systems' Safestanding?

More and more clubs are now recognizing the benefits of our seat. With our model, the seats can be installed at a later date if necessary. Since UEFA has now decided that handrails without seats are also approved, this makes the solution even better. As a result, clubs that do not compete in European competitions have the option to purchase the Safestanding system without seats. However, if needed in the future, seats can always be added.

For example, this is useful for smaller stadiums that need to meet a minimum seating capacity to qualify for the appropriate category.

An impressive result in Heerenveen

With a capacity of 2,800 standing-room-only seats, an impressive fan section has been created on the north side of the Abe Lenstra Stadium.

For Holland Sport Systems, the project in Heerenveen is a great example of what’s possible when modernizing existing soccer stadiums. By redesigning an existing seating stand, it’s possible not only to increase the capacity of a fan section but also to create a safe and future-proof stand.

We are proud that Holland Sport Systems was able to provide the design and grandstand facilities for this special project.

Are you also planning to install a standing section, a safe-standing section, or a rail seat solution?

Holland Sport Systems supports soccer clubs, stadium operators, architects, and contractors from the initial design through the technical development and delivery of the complete grandstand system.

Please contact us at: info@hollandsportsystems.com