page_title: GelreDome
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: GelreDome / History
caption_attribution_description: Nederlands: Airborne match Vitesse Arnhem
context_page_description: The GelreDome is a football stadium in the city of Arnhem, Netherlands. It is one of the largest and modern stadiums in the country, built from 1996 to 1998 at a cost equivalent to €75 million, that opened on 25 March 1998. The stadium has been the home of association football club Vitesse Arnhem since 1998. It was one of the stadiums used during Euro 2000 tournament held in the Netherlands and Belgium.
  Both international and Dutch artists have given concerts in the stadium, including Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Celine Dion, Madonna, Prince, Justin Bieber, Paul McCartney, Shakira, AC/DC, André Rieu, The Rolling Stones, Justin Timberlake and Rihanna.
  The stadium has a retractable roof, as well as a convertible pitch, that can be retracted, when unused during concerts or other events held at the stadium, and a climate control system. It has a capacity of 34,000 people for sports events, or 41,000 during concerts. The GelreDome pitch is surrounded on each side by four covered all-seater stands, officially known as the Edward Sturing Stand, Charly Bosveld Stand, Theo Bos Stand and Just Göbel Stand.
  The GelreDome currently holds a four-star rating by UEFA.
context_section_description: The GelreDome replaced the Nieuw Monnikenhuize Stadion as Vitesse's home ground on 25 March 1998. Plans had been afoot to expand and to renovate the old and now demolished Nieuw Monnikenhuize. However, with a growing fan capacity and with arguments that the location of the old stadium was not strategic enough, the idea was conceived to build a new arena for the Vitesse fans.
  The first match played at the stadium was a 4–1 victory by the home team against N.A.C. Breda in an Eredivisie match. The first goal in the new stadium was scored by Vitesse player Dejan Čurović.
caption: The 'Airborne memorial' football match.
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