Amsterdam's Johan Cruijff Arena Becomes World's First B Corp-Certified Stadium

Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam has become the first stadium in the world to receive B Corp certification. COO Hidde Salverda laid out the venue's sustainability roadmap in an interview published August 25, 2026 as part of the Global Stadium Report series, including a target of net positive Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030. In the same interview, he also discussed how Harry Styles opened his world tour at the venue with the longest residency in its history.

Energy: solar panels, two batteries, 100% renewable

Salverda said the sustainability push started with solar panels before the team realized storage was the real bottleneck. The arena installed one battery, then added a second, larger one two years ago, and has already run a full football match without drawing on external power.

The goal is enough storage capacity to get through a Champions League match even during a large-scale blackout in Amsterdam, keeping the game or concert running. Salverda called the batteries a significant investment, but said the electricity they provide is now "completely free." The arena currently runs on 100% renewable energy, buying green power externally to cover any shortfall in its own generation.

The next phase is generating a surplus. Johan Cruijff Arena sits on the same site as Ziggo Dome and AFAS Live — one of the densest entertainment districts in Western Europe — but the area also includes some of Amsterdam's less affluent neighborhoods. The venue wants to eventually supply cheap electricity to nearby residents, though current regulations don't yet allow it. Salverda described the arena as a