AFAS Live is a major concert hall in Amsterdam-Zuidoost, standing next to the Johan Cruyff Arena on Arena Boulevard. It officially opened on March 15, 2001 as the Heineken Music Hall, taking its current name on January 1, 2017 after Dutch software company AFAS Software became the venue’s title sponsor.
Owned by the City of Amsterdam and operated by Live Nation, the venue centers on its 3,000-square-meter main hall, known as the Black Box, which holds 6,000 people. A smaller room, the Beat Box, seats up to 700 and is typically used for after-parties and more intimate shows. Together the two spaces host a large share of Amsterdam’s touring concert traffic each year.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Amsterdam-Zuidoost, Netherlands
- Type: Concert hall
- Opened: March 15, 2001
- Capacity: 6,000 (Black Box); 700 (Beat Box)
- Former name: Heineken Music Hall (2001–2016)
- Operator: Live Nation
- Famous for: Live album recordings by Alter Bridge and Within Temptation
From Heineken Music Hall to AFAS Live
The venue spent its first fifteen years as the Heineken Music Hall before the brewer’s sponsorship ended. In September 2016 it was announced that Dutch business software company AFAS Software would take over naming rights, and the hall was rebranded AFAS Live at the start of 2017. Despite the name change, the building and its layout next to the Johan Cruyff Arena have stayed the same since opening in 2001.
The main Black Box hall covers about 3,000 square meters and can be configured for standing or seated shows, giving it flexibility for everything from arena-scale rock concerts to television broadcasts.
Notable Shows and Broadcasts
AFAS Live has hosted a wide range of recorded performances, including Alter Bridge’s live concert film and a show that appeared on Within Temptation’s live album. It has also staged televised events such as the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2012 and Eurovision in Concert 2019, and in 2018 welcomed veteran French singer Charles Aznavour for a performance at age 93.
Its location beside the Johan Cruyff Arena and easy access via Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA station make it one of the city’s most-visited concert venues, drawing touring international acts alongside Dutch performers.
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AFAS Live FAQs
What was AFAS Live formerly called?
It was known as the Heineken Music Hall from its March 2001 opening until the end of 2016, when it was renamed AFAS Live after a new sponsorship deal.
How many people does AFAS Live hold?
The main Black Box hall holds about 6,000 people, while the smaller Beat Box room accommodates around 700.
Where is AFAS Live located?
It’s in Amsterdam-Zuidoost, right next to the Johan Cruyff Arena, and is reachable via Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA train station.
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Photo: AFASLive Amsterdam / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.