De Klassieker

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The first encounter between Ajax and Feyenoord was on 9 October 1921 in Rotterdam, surrounded by controversy. The match initially ended 3–2 in Ajax' favour, but was later officially declared 2–2 due to Feyenoord's protest over a dubious goal. In the 1930s and 1940s, a competition arose over who had the biggest stadium. The Olympic Stadium (1928, capacity 31,600) was the biggest until Feyenoord opened De Kuip in 1937 with a capacity of 64,000; Ajax responded by adding a second ring to Olympic Stadium that same year. After the war, Feyenoord expanded De Kuip to 69,000 in 1949. From 1947–48 to 1955–56 no competitive matches were played because Feyenoord never won their regional league; friendlies were arranged instead. The Eredivisie's introduction in 1956–57 abolished regional leagues, allowing the clubs to play competitively twice a year. The highest scoring match was in 1960–61: a 9–5 Feyenoord win (14 total goals). That season Feyenoord won the league with Ajax second, two points behind. In 1964–65, a 9–4 scoreline nearly replicated it. The rivalry heated up in the early 1970s when both clubs were arguably the best in the world. Ajax won three European Cups and an Intercontinental Cup; Feyenoord won one European Cup, one Intercontinental Cup, and one UEFA Cup—all firsts for a Dutch club. This success filled the Netherlands squad with Ajax and Feyenoord players, key to the 1974 and 1978 World Cups and Total Football. In 1980–81, Feyenoord legend Wim Jansen moved to Ajax, angering Feyenoord fans; on his debut away against Feyenoord, a fan threw an iceball in his eye, forcing him off for treatment. In 1983–84, Ajax legend Johan Cruyff transferred to Feyenoord after a contract dispute, angering both fanbases. Feyenoord fans protested with banners like 'Feyenoord Forever, Cruijff Never' and jeered him. That season, Feyenoord lost 8–2 to Ajax in Amsterdam (their worst loss ever), but won the home game 4-1 and ended up winning the league and cup. On 7 April 2024, Feyenoord beat Ajax 6–0, the biggest win ever for Feyenoord over Ajax and the biggest loss ever for Ajax in the Eredivisie. The De Klassieker scheduled for 1 September 2024 was suspended after a police strike was announced.

In Their Own Story

The most serious incident of fan violence occurred in the Beverwijk clash in 1997, when Ajax fan Carlo Picornie was beaten to death by rival supporters. This triggered stricter policies from the KNVB, and the two Klassiekers in 1997–98 were played without away fans. In 2004, Feyenoord player Jorge Acuña was taken to hospital with head, neck and rib injuries after being attacked by Ajax hooligans during a reserve team match; Robin van Persie had to be rescued by Ajax coach John van 't Schip and player Daniël de Ridder. In April 2005, riots took place around Feyenoord's ground: travelling Ajax fans demolished their train after it was sent back to Amsterdam before arriving; a second train arrived but fans were forced to wait outside the stadium. Feyenoord supporters, having just lost 2-3, clashed with Ajax fans who hadn't seen the match. Hooligans filmed by police were shown on national TV; virtually every one handed himself in. In February 2009, the mayors of Amsterdam and Rotterdam agreed with the KNVB to ban visiting fans from away games for five seasons. After Ajax fans threw fireworks on the field during the 2014 KNVB Cup Final, Ajax banned its supporters from traveling to Rotterdam through at least the 2016-17 season. In March 2015, the Ajax clubhouse was burned down; the cause is officially unknown, but police and Ajax fans suspected Feyenoord fans. Ajax hooligans planned a revenge attack but were stopped by police. In February 2016, an effigy of Kenneth Vermeer (who moved from Ajax to Feyenoord) was hanged from a stand occupied by Ajax ultra group VAK410; Ajax closed those sections for the next Klassieker and banned season ticketholders. Hooligans often chant antisemitic slogans because Ajax has a long association with the city's Jewish community, and Ajax supporters sometimes refer to themselves as Jews and use the Star of David. In May 2019, an amateur match between AVV Swift and SC Feyenoord was marred by fan trouble; later that month, during the U19 title-deciding game at De Toekomst, Ajax fans threw stones at the Feyenoord U19 bus, and after 30 minutes the match was suspended due to Ajax fans attacking Feyenoord players' families in the stands. The match was rescheduled with no fans allowed. On 5 April 2023, during a KNVB Cup semifinal, Ajax player Davy Klaassen was hit with a lighter from the stands in the 62nd minute; the match was suspended for 30 minutes and he was substituted.

Reader's Guide

**Origin:** The rivalry began with the first encounter on 9 October 1921 in Rotterdam, which ended controversially 3–2 (later declared 2–2). It is rooted in the city rivalry between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, dating back to the 13th century when both cities received their city rights. The clash is seen as artists (Amsterdam) vs. workers (Rotterdam), reflected in the saying: 'While Amsterdam dreams, Rotterdam works.' Rotterdam was bombed heavily in WWII, forcing its people to work hard, making them resentful of Amsterdam's showiness. **Biggest Clashes:** The highest scoring match was a 9–5 Feyenoord win in 1960–61 (14 goals). In 1964–65, Feyenoord won 9–4. The 1983–84 season saw Ajax beat Feyenoord 8–2 in Amsterdam (Feyenoord's worst loss), but Feyenoord won the return 4-1 and took the league and cup. On 7 April 2024, Feyenoord won 6–0, their biggest win over Ajax and Ajax's biggest Eredivisie loss. **What Makes It Fierce:** The rivalry goes beyond football into city pride. Fan violence has been a recurring issue, with the 1997 Beverwijk clash (death of Ajax fan Carlo Picornie) the most serious. Incidents include attacks on players (Jorge Acuña in 2004, Davy Klaassen in 2023), arson (Ajax clubhouse in 2015), and fan bans (away fans banned for five seasons from 2009; Ajax banned its fans from Rotterdam through 2016-17 after 2014 fireworks). The 2024 match was suspended due to a police strike.

Did You Know?

• The record attendance for De Klassieker was 65,562 on 9 January 1966 in Rotterdam.
• The highest scoring match was a 9–5 Feyenoord win in 1960–61, with 14 total goals.
• From 1947–48 to 1955–56, no competitive matches were played because Feyenoord never won their regional league.
• In 1983–84, Johan Cruyff transferred from Ajax to Feyenoord, angering both fanbases; Feyenoord fans protested with banners like 'Feyenoord Forever, Cruijff Never'.
• On 7 April 2024, Feyenoord beat Ajax 6–0, the biggest win ever for Feyenoord over Ajax and Ajax's biggest Eredivisie loss.