PSV and Ajax will play on the Phillips Stadium in front of a projected 11,000 spectators making it the highest attendance in a Dutch women’s club match in history. Despite overtaking the record by just 1,000, this is a glimpse of growth and hope to Dutch women’s club football given that a crowd of this magnitude had not been attracted to a women’s match in over a decade.
Willem II and AZ were the two sides that attracted the record attendance back in 2009. On that day, the football rolled at the Willem II Stadium, which seats up to 14,700 people.
The rivalry between Ajax and PSV in men’s football has translated over to the women’s side as both teams top the eight-team league. PSV spearheads the league with 32 points while Ajax sits second with 25 and a game in hand.
This match means the league title for these two rivals and fans have made notice of the must-watch matchup. And if tickets cost as little as €3, then why not go and watch it live if you live around the area.
The game is scheduled for Friday, March 20 at 7:30 p.m. GMT+1 at the Phillips Stadium, home of PSV.
Recent growth in Dutch women’s football
The Netherlands women’s national team has grown in popularity since its UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 win in home soil. This victory filled the Dutch people with a sense of pride that was passed on to the OranjeLeeuwinnen in the buildup to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Dutch supporters nearly filled the Phillips Stadium up to capacity – 35,000 – during the goodbye match ahead of France 2019. That time out, 30,640 people observed their national team as they mowed down a strong Australian squad.
The Dutch went on to reach the final where they fell to the USWNT 2-0. Nonetheless, the positive experience at the national level has translated to the women’s Eredivisie and this record is proof of that.
Talking about growth in Dutch women’s football, there is an ongoing bid for UEFA Women’s Champions League Final 2023 and the Phillips Stadium is on that list.
