More than a handball arena » What Rotterdam Ahoy looks like, the “labyrinth” in which Romania plays at the handball WC: phenomenal images from behind the scenes

Ashley Davis27/11/2025

0 89 2 minutes read

Article by Ionuţ Iordache, Adrian Jitea – Published on Thursday, 27 November 2025, 17:38 / Updated on Thursday, 27 November 2025 17:39

Reporter Adrian Jitea and photojournalist Ionuț Iordache are in Rotterdam with the Romanian national team and will transmit all the information and images that matter

Romania debuts today at the Women's Handball World Championship. From 19:00 in Rotterdam Ahoy, The “tricolors” will face Croatia in an arena transformed overnight.

Rotterdam Ahoy, more than a sports arena

The grandeur of the place is evident from the first steps or from the first brake in the parking lot with over 2,500 spaces. A complex inaugurated in 1971, which requires 200 permanent employees for its maintenance and generates annual revenues of 60 million dollars.

Images from the Rotterdam Ahoy hall PHOTO: Ionuţ Iordache (GSP)

Rotterdam Ahoy is a confluence of buildings spread over 45,000 m², according to updated calculations in 2024, after the most recent renovation. The main arena can accommodate up to 16,500 spectators. For the final tournament, it was adapted, flirtatious, with LEDs, lights and everything else you find in the NBA, the competition that sets the trend. More than 9,000 fans now fit in the stands erected on a metal structure.

Apart from the handball arena, the complex also has other halls, adaptable for concerts, plays, fairs and other events.

On the threshold of the World Cup, everything came to life. The huge halls around the grounds are filled with entertainment spaces. You shoot at the goal and win prizes, launch yourself on an inflatable field. You can't be bored.

PHOTO GALLERY. Spectacular images from inside Rotterdam Ahoy, in the “lip” of the match Romania – Japan

Images from the Rotterdam Ahoy hall PHOTO: Ionuţ Iordache (GSP)

A real mall with shops and restaurants, at the end of which is the area dedicated to the press. A maze through which you would get lost without the volunteers installed in the stations more than 3 hours before the match.

The last details were still being worked out, the last ribbons were being cut, the fridges were being checked. Or the teapots. Outside, the thermometers show 8 degrees Celsius. But the driving rain and wind make everything feel cruel.

Prices, also adapted to the event:

a beer for 350 ml – 5.25 euros
a glass of wine – 5.75 euros
a Pepsi for 0.5 l – 4.76 euros
a Red Bull – 5.75 euros
a portion of potatoes – 5.25 euros
a portion of Nachos – 9.50 euros
a portion of pasta – 8.50 euros
an original t-shirt of the Dutch national team – 55 euros
official ball – 95 euros
replica – 25 euros.

The dedicated media space has more than 50 seats, all the conditions for a quick and precise interaction. Before us, the Romanians, only one other journalist, a representative of the Japanese media, had arrived. From 21:30, also in Romania's group, Japan will face Denmark.