View source for Rat Verlegh Stadion

{{Short description|Multi-purpose stadium in Breda, Netherlands}}
{{Infobox venue
| name                = Rat Verlegh Stadion
| image               = [[File:20131027 Rat Verlegh Stadion.jpg|250px|The Rat Verlegh Stadium in 2013]]
| fullname            = 
| location            = Stadionstraat 23, [[Breda]], [[Netherlands]]
| coordinates         = {{coord|51|35|42|N|4|45|01|E|display=it|type:landmark}}
| built               = 1995–1996
| opened              = 1 July 1996
| renovated           = 2008–2010
| expanded            = 
| owner               = [[Breda|City of Breda]]
| operator            = NAC Breda
| surface             = 98% Grass, 2% artificial turf <ref>[http://www.nac.nl/pagina5/8502/Rondleidingen.html Dutch information stadium] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126020855/http://www.nac.nl/pagina5/8502/Rondleidingen.html |date=2010-01-26 }}</ref>
| construction_cost   = [[Euro|€]]13,200,000 (1996)
| architect           = [[Bureau Bollen]] (1995)
| structural engineer = 
| services engineer   = 
| general_contractor  = [[Ballast Nedam|Ballast Nedam Bouw B.V.]]
| project_manager     = 
| main_contractors    = 
| former_names        = [[Fujifilm| FUJiFILM]]-stadion (1996–2003)<br>MyCom-stadion (2003–2006)
| tenants             = [[NAC Breda]] (1996–present)
| capacity            = 19,000 <ref>[http://www.nac.nl/nieuws/33198/eerste-contouren-overkapping-zichtbaar.html News extension Rat Verlegh stadion's capacity] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722110225/http://www.nac.nl/nieuws/33198/eerste-contouren-overkapping-zichtbaar.html |date=2011-07-22 }}</ref>
| dimensions          = 
| scoreboard          = LED scoreboards installed early 2020
}}
[[File:20130812 ratverleghstadion.jpg|upright=1.35|thumb|View from the goal of Vak G towards the B-side]]
The '''Rat Verlegh Stadion''' ({{IPA|nl|ˌrɑt fərˈlɛx ˌstaːdijɔn}}){{efn|''Verlegh'' in isolation: {{IPA|nl|vərˈlɛx|}}.}} is a [[multi-purpose stadium]] in [[Breda]], [[Netherlands]]. The stadium is the home of the association football club [[NAC Breda]] (1996 to present). It was formerly known as [[FUJIFILM]] 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]].

The stadium was built from 1995 to 1996 at a cost of [[Euro|€]] 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==
[[File:Rat verleghstadium2.jpg|thumb|left|NAC playing a match against [[VVV Venlo|VVV]] during the 2009–10 season.]]
[[File:NAC Breda DSCF4040.JPG|thumb|left|The exterior of the stadium.]]
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.<ref>[http://www.nac.nl/pagina/26779/stadion.html Dutch text former stadium plans] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425054112/http://www.nac.nl/pagina/26779/stadion.html |date=2010-04-25 }}</ref> 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 [[FUJIFILM]] 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 [[Royal Dutch Football Association|KNVB]] 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 [[Gremio (football club)|Porto Alegrense Gremio]] from [[Brazil]].

NAC's first official match was at 16 August 1996 in a [[KNVB Cup|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]] and [[Turkey]]. In 2017 the stadium was used for the [[UEFA Women's Euro 2017]] . In total the stadium hosted 4 group matches and 1 semi-final between [[Denmark]] and [[Austria]].

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==
[[File:Rat Verleghstadium 3.jpg|upright=1.35|thumb|View from Vak G towards the B-side]]
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<ref>[http://www.nac.nl/pagina5/31140/Stadionplannen.html Dutch announcement stadium plans] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215123517/http://www.nac.nl/pagina5/31140/Stadionplannen.html |date=2012-02-15 }}</ref> in 2009 and 19,999 <ref>[http://www.nac.nl/nieuws/32179/nac-genezen-positief-eigen-vermogen.html Dutch announcement second phase] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722110108/http://www.nac.nl/nieuws/32179/nac-genezen-positief-eigen-vermogen.html |date=2011-07-22 }}</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.nac.nl/ticketing/ticketing.php prizes individual tickets] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611045310/http://www.nac.nl/ticketing/ticketing.php |date=2010-06-11 }}</ref>

[[File:Rat Verlegh Stadion P1030602.JPG|thumb|left|200px|NAC supporter's store]]

===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.

==See also==
*[[List of football stadiums in the Netherlands]]
*[[Lists of stadiums]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Rat Verlegh Stadion}}

{{NAC Breda}}
{{Football venues in the Netherlands}}

[[Category:Football venues in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Multi-purpose stadiums in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Breda]]
[[Category:NAC Breda]]