About FC Volendam
FC Volendam, nicknamed "de Palingboeren" (The Eel Farmers), represents the proud fishing village of Volendam in professional football. Known for their distinctive orange shirts and passionate local support, the club has earned a reputation as the "heen-en-weer club" (back-and-forth club) due to their record-breaking ten promotions between the Eredivisie and Eerste Divisie. Football in the village traces back to 1920, while the professional club in its current form was created in 1977 through the merger of RKAV Volendam and VV Volendam. Since then the club has become synonymous with producing technically gifted players who often move on to bigger clubs in the Netherlands and beyond. Despite their yo-yo reputation, FC Volendam maintains one of the most dedicated fan bases in Dutch football, with the entire village turning orange on match days.
Founded
1920 (village football)
Professional club: 1977
Stadium
Kras Stadion
Capacity: 6,984
Colors
Orange & Black
"Het Andere Oranje"
FC Volendam: Where They Play Now
2026-27 Season: Back in the Eerste Divisie
FC Volendam spent the 2025-26 season in the Eredivisie after winning promotion as Eerste Divisie champions in 2024-25. It proved a difficult campaign: the club hovered around the relegation zone for much of the season and ultimately finished in the relegation play-off places. In the play-off final in May 2026 they came up just short against Willem II and were relegated, so for the 2026-27 season FC Volendam play in the Eerste Divisie (Keuken Kampioen Divisie), the second tier of Dutch football.
It is a familiar story for a club nicknamed the "heen-en-weer club" (back-and-forth club) for its record number of promotions and relegations. Volendam will once again be among the favourites to push for promotion, and a season in the Eerste Divisie usually means more home wins, lower ticket prices and an even more local atmosphere at the Kras Stadion.
Fixtures, Tickets & Following the Club
How to Follow the Fixtures
In the Eerste Divisie, FC Volendam play roughly 38 league matches between August and May, most home games on Friday evenings. Because the schedule changes each season, the most reliable place for the next fixture, kick-off time and broadcaster is the official club site.
- League: Eerste Divisie (Keuken Kampioen Divisie)
- Home venue: Kras Stadion, Volendam
- Typical kick-off: Friday 20:00
- TV in NL: ESPN Netherlands
Matchday in Volendam
A home game is one of the cheapest and most authentic football experiences in the Netherlands. The Kras Stadion sits about a 15-minute walk from the harbour, so many fans combine a match with an afternoon on the Dijk - herring on the waterfront, then orange-and-black on the terraces.
- Buy tickets online in advance - home games against bigger names sell out
- Arrive early; the village fills with supporters before kick-off
- Bring a debit card and some cash for the stadium kiosks
- Free parking near the stadium opens about two hours before kick-off
Featured Match: Feyenoord vs FC Volendam
David vs Goliath: A Classic Dutch Derby
The matches between Rotterdam giants Feyenoord and FC Volendam always capture the imagination of Dutch football fans. While Feyenoord typically dominates this fixture, Volendam has produced memorable upsets over the years, including a famous 2-0 victory in 2008 that helped secure their Eredivisie status. The contrast between the metropolitan powerhouse and the fishing village club embodies the charm of Dutch football.
Historical Head-to-Head
- Total Eredivisie Matches: 42
- Feyenoord Wins: 28
- FC Volendam Wins: 6
- Draws: 8
- Last Meeting: Feyenoord 4-0 FC Volendam (Dec 2024)
- Biggest Volendam Win: 3-1 (1983)
When They Meet Again
With Volendam back in the Eerste Divisie for 2026-27, this fixture is on hold in the league - the two clubs can only meet in the KNVB Cup, or once Volendam earn promotion back to the Eredivisie. That mismatch is exactly what makes the occasional cup draw between the fishing village and a Rotterdam giant such a talking point in Dutch football.
Visit Kras Stadion
Stadium Information
Kras Stadion has been the home of FC Volendam since 1975. Despite its modest size, the stadium creates an intimate atmosphere that makes it one of the most atmospheric venues in Dutch football. The compact design ensures fans are close to the action, creating the famous "Volendam wall of sound" when the stadium is full.
- Address: Sportlaan 10, 1131 BK Volendam
- Capacity: 6,984 (all-seater)
- Opened: April 5, 1975
- Renovated: 2009 (new main stand)
- Parking: Free parking for 500 cars
- Public Transport: Bus 316 from Amsterdam (45 min)
- Walking: 15 minutes from Volendam harbor
Match Day Experience
Attending a match at Kras Stadion offers an authentic Dutch football experience. The passionate Volendam supporters, known for their unwavering loyalty through numerous promotions and relegations, create an atmosphere that belies the stadium's size. The pre-match buildup in the village is special, with many fans gathering at harbor cafes before walking to the stadium together.
- Family-friendly atmosphere with dedicated family section
- Traditional Dutch snacks: bitterballen, frikandel
- Local Volendam beer in the stadium bars
- Fan shop open on match days (10:00-21:00)
- Pre-match entertainment starts 90 minutes before kickoff
- Meet & greet with players after select matches
- Free parking arrives 2 hours before kickoff
FC Volendam History & Achievements
Club History
FC Volendam was born from the merger of two amateur clubs on June 1, 1977, when RKAV Volendam and VV Volendam joined forces to create a professional football club. The merger was necessary to compete at a higher level and represent Volendam in professional football. The early years saw immediate success with promotion to the Eredivisie in 1983.
- 1920: Victoria (later RKSV Volendam) founded by local fishermen
- 1977: FC Volendam established through merger
- 1983: First promotion to Eredivisie as Eerste Divisie champions
- 1987: Won Eerste Divisie again after relegation
- 1995: Reached KNVB Cup final, lost 2-1 to Feyenoord
- 2003: Qualified for UEFA Cup (now Europa League)
- 2008: New main stand opened, increasing capacity
- 2022: Promotion to Eredivisie as Eerste Divisie champions
- 2024: Record tenth relegation from Eredivisie
- 2025: Immediate promotion back to Eredivisie as Eerste Divisie champions
- 2026: Relegated again after losing the promotion/relegation play-off to Willem II - back to the Eerste Divisie for 2026-27
The club's nickname "heen-en-weer club" reflects their unique record of 10 promotions to the Eredivisie, more than any other Dutch club.
Major Achievements
Domestic Honours
- Eerste Divisie Champions: 1959, 1961, 1967, 1970, 1977, 1983, 1987, 2008, 2022
- Tweede Divisie Champions: 1956
- KNVB Cup Runner-up: 1958, 1995
- Best Eredivisie Position: 6th (1990, 1993)
European Competition
- UEFA Cup: 2003-04 (First Round)
- Lost to Sporting CP 3-1 on aggregate
Notable Former Players
FC Volendam has an exceptional record of developing players who went on to achieve greatness at bigger clubs and with the Dutch national team:
International Stars
- Wim Jonk: Ajax, Inter Milan, 49 caps for Netherlands
- Arnold Mühren: Ajax, Manchester United, 23 caps
- Gerrie Mühren: Ajax, Real Betis, Dutch international
- Jack Tuijp: 400+ appearances, club legend
- Pierre van Hooijdonk: Feyenoord, Celtic, 46 caps
Recent Talents
- Joey Veerman: PSV Eindhoven, Dutch international
- Xavier Mbuyamba: Chelsea, MVV Maastricht
- Francesco Antonucci: AS Monaco, Feyenoord
- Kevin Visser: ADO Den Haag
Youth Academy
The FC Volendam youth academy is renowned throughout the Netherlands for producing technically gifted players. The academy's philosophy emphasizes ball control, creative play, and tactical intelligence - qualities that have made Volendam players sought after by bigger clubs.
Academy Structure
- Age Groups: From Under-8 to Under-19
- Players: Approximately 350 youth players
- Facilities: 4 grass pitches, 1 artificial pitch at Sportpark Opperdam
- Philosophy: Technical development over physical attributes
- Success Rate: 3-5 players promoted to first team annually
Recent Academy Successes
The academy continues to produce talent, with several current Eredivisie players having graduated from the Volendam youth system. The club's scouting network extends throughout North Holland, identifying young talent from fishing families who often possess the technical skills passed down through generations.
Tickets & Merchandise
Match Tickets
Experience the unique atmosphere at Kras Stadion with affordable ticket prices that make FC Volendam one of the most accessible clubs in Dutch professional football.
- Adults: €15-25
- Youth (12-17): €7.50-12.50
- Children (under 12): €5
- Season Ticket: From €225
- Online booking saves €2.50
- Family packages available
Official Merchandise
Show your support for Het Andere Oranje with official FC Volendam merchandise, featuring the distinctive orange and black colors.
- Home & away jerseys: €69.95
- Training wear: From €39.95
- Scarves: €19.95
- Caps and beanies: €14.95
- Children's kits: €49.95
- Retro collection available
Membership
Join the FC Volendam family and enjoy exclusive benefits as an official member of the club.
- Priority ticket purchasing
- 10% discount on merchandise
- Exclusive member events
- Vote at annual meeting
- Digital club magazine
- Birthday card from the club
The Club in Brief
A Selling Club That Punches Above Its Weight
For a town of around 22,000, FC Volendam's output of talent is remarkable. The club's model is well understood across the Netherlands: develop technically sharp youngsters in the academy, give them first-team minutes early, and reinvest the transfer fees when bigger clubs come calling. It is how a second-tier budget keeps producing Eredivisie and international players decade after decade.
The Volendam Style
Volendam teams are known for attacking, possession-based football rather than for spending power. In the Eerste Divisie that approach usually makes them one of the higher-scoring sides and a promotion contender. Whatever the division, the bond between club and village is the constant - on match days the harbour cafes empty out and the orange shirts head for the Kras Stadion together.
Connect with FC Volendam
Follow the Orange & Black
Stay connected with FC Volendam through official channels and join thousands of passionate supporters worldwide.
Official Website
fcvolendam.nl
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