Built: 1996
Capacity: 30,000

The fact that Ajax's impressive Amsterdam Arena will host key games in Euro 2000 marks the high point for a venue that was originally hailed as one of the best in the world and has become a major nightmare for all concerned in the last few years.

The venue England will play at if they reach group A, the stadium was opened for business by Queen Beatrix in August 1996 after three years in the making. With a sliding roof, which can be opened and shut in 15 minutes, and high tech surrounds, the 50,000 capacity venue has suffered from huge problems in its short life.

The pitch has been ripped up and replaced numerous times due to the lack of light that gets through to it and few critics have held back in throwing criticism at Ajax chiefs who claimed they would have the best football stadium in the world. Most of the concerns have now been overcome, but the battered image of the Amsterdam Arena will take longer to heal.

Visitors to Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, are bound to find plenty to keep them entertained into the wee small hours. A city positively buzzing with atmosphere, culture and a fantastic nightlife, the liberal image of the city would suggest that anything goes and this has established the city as one of the most popular tourists spots for Europeans looking for brief holidays.

Police chiefs have warned that tolerance levels for bad behaviour will be lowered considerably throughout the month of June and on to the Final itself.

The numerous bars and markets provide a welcoming atmosphere and restaurants are never likely to disappoint. The Rembrandtsplein and Leidseplein act as a magnet for drinkers and diners.

There are also plenty of Indonesian and Chinese restaurants, while Durty Nelly's at Warmoesstraat 115 is a lively Irish pub, and the Koophandel, at Bloemgracht 49, is a large alehouse where beers are served into the small hours.

But the city offers more than nights on the town.

For history fans, the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum offer a bewildering array of paintings - and anyone can have fun exploring the miles of canals weaving their way beneath the city centre.

And it is also a city with a fine footballing tradition.

Home to the kings of Dutch football and 27-times champions Ajax, (not to mention gridiron kings the Amsterdam Admirals) Amsterdam has the culture and style to carry off the biggest games in Euro 2000 with great success.

Getting there

There are a host of cheap daily flights from the UK. To reach Amsterdam by road from the south, take the E35 from Utrecht or E19 from Rotterdam; from the west take the N200 to the ring road; from the north hop on the E22; from the east use the E30. The stadium can be found in Bijlmer, on the south-eastern edge of the city.