The Rat Verlegh Stadion () is a

multi-purpose stadium A multi-purpose stadium is a type of stadium designed to be easily used by multiple types of events. While any stadium could potentially host more than one type of sport or event, this concept usually refers to a specific design philosophy tha ...

in Breda,

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

. The stadium is the home of the association football club NAC Breda (1996 to present). It was formerly known as

FUJIFILM , trading as Fujifilm, or simply Fuji, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, operating in the realms of photography, optics, office and medical electronics, biotechnology, and chemicals. The offerings from the ...

Stadium (1996–2003) and Mycom Stadium (2003–2006), named after two former NAC sponsors. In 2006 NAC Breda named the stadium after its most famous NAC Player,

Antoon Verlegh Antonius Wilhelmus Verlegh (29 March 1896 – 12 March 1960), known as Antoon Verlegh and Rat Verlegh was a Dutch football player and administrator who is best known for his association with NAC Breda, whose Rat Verlegh Stadion is named in his ...

. The stadium was built from 1995 to 1996 at a cost of

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13.2 million, and was officially opened on 11 August 1996. It has been used for association football, concerts, and other events. It has a capacity of 19,000 fans, including 1,500 standing room-only, for sports matches. The stadium has been used for several Intertoto matches, UEFA Cup matches and international matches. Concerts have also been held at the Rat Verlegh stadion.

History

In November 1991 NAC Breda's board officially announced that it researched the possibilities to either renovate the NAC Stadion located at the Beatrixstraat, or to build a new stadium within Breda's city borders. Renovation of the original stadium was too costly and in 1993 NAC Breda announced plans to build a new stadium. In mutual agreement with the city of Breda, the grounds near the Lunetstraat in Breda were allocated as the new stadium zone. On 18 August 1995 the construction of the new stadium began. NAC Breda announced that

had signed a contract for 10 years, in which the stadium's name would be named after NAC's former main sponsor. After a construction period of almost one year, the stadium was officially opened by Breda's mayor Fred Rutten and

KNVB The Royal Dutch Football Association (, ; KNVB ) is the governing body of football in the Netherlands. It organises the main Dutch football leagues (Eredivisie and Eerste Divisie), the amateur leagues, the KNVB Cup, and the Dutch men's and wome ...

chairman Jos Staatsen. After the official opening, NAC Breda played their first match in front of 17,000 fans in the FUJIFILM Stadium against vice World Champion Porto Alegrense Gremio from

Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...

. NAC's first official match was at 16 August 1996 in a Cup tie against Dordrecht 90. NAC player Stanley MacDonald scored the first goal in the new stadium. During its existence, the stadium was host for numerous competition matches, cup ties, friendly matches, but also Intertoto matches, a UEFA Cup match and an international friendly between

Ecuador Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: ''Ikwadur Ripuwlika''; Shuar: ' ...

and

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. In 2017 the stadium was used for the

UEFA Women's Euro 2017 The 2017 UEFA European Women's Championship, commonly referred to as UEFA Women's Euro 2017, was the 12th edition of the UEFA Women's Championship, the quadrennial international football championship organised by UEFA for the women's national tea ...

. In total the stadium hosted 4 group matches and 1 semi-final between

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and

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. In 2003 the stadium was renamed to the Mycom Stadion, at that time a sponsor of NAC Breda. In 2006 the stadium was renamed after NAC's most famous and important player; Antoon 'Rat' Verlegh.

Renovation

The stadium was one of the first new stadiums and nowadays has numerous shortcomings. The past years public facilities have been improved. In 2009 NAC Breda announced that the stadium's facilities will be improved further and that the stadium's capacity will be enlarger to 17,750 in 2009 and 19,999 in 2010. Sponsorship facilities will be improved. Also the stadium's environment will be improved and commercial zones will be developed directly around the stadium. An estimated sum of €100 million will be invested in this project. In 2010, despite earlier news from the club the stadium would be expanded to 19,999 places, construction started to expand the stadium to 19,000 places. The construction was finished in July 2010.

The stadium

Stands

The stadium's lay-out is similar to an average Dutch stadium. On the stands behind the goal the fanatic NAC fans are based. The B-Side is located on the east stand, while Vak G is located on the west stand. Next to Vak G the stand for the opponent's fans is located. The northern stand is reserved for officials and sponsors, while the south stand is reserved for other NAC fans. In season 2009/2010 prices for individual tickets vary from €12,50 to €30.prizes individual tickets
Rat Verlegh Stadion P1030602

Museum

Located underneath Vak G, the NAC Museum holds artifacts, photos and movies from NAC's history. The museum is developed and maintained by NAC fans and is sponsored by charity and NAC Breda.

References

{{Football venues in the Netherlands Football venues in the Netherlands Multi-purpose stadiums in the Netherlands Sports venues in Breda NAC Breda UEFA Women's Euro 2017 venues