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Buy tickets for AZ Alkmaar vs NEC Nijmegen - Football – Dutch league – Eredivisie – 2025/2026 season Buy tickets for AZ Alkmaar vs NEC Nijmegen - Football – Dutch league – Eredivisie – 2025/2026 season

Football – Dutch league – Eredivisie – 2025/2026 season (21. round)
31. January 2026. 16:30h
AZ Alkmaar vs NEC Nijmegen
AFAS Stadium, Alkmaar, NL
2026
31
January
Photo by: Domagoj Skledar/ arhiva (vlastita)

Tickets for AZ Alkmaar vs NEC Nijmegen in Eredivisie: buy match tickets, travel tips for AFAS Stadion

Looking for tickets for AZ Alkmaar vs NEC Nijmegen in Eredivisie? Here you can start buying tickets and plan your trip to AFAS Stadion in Alkmaar, with practical entry and transport tips plus what to expect from this high-stakes matchday atmosphere. Secure your seats early and arrive ahead of kick-off to soak up the stands

A match carrying the weight of the top and a special story of the season

AZ Alkmaar and NEC Nijmegen come to Alkmaar for a duel that, at this stage of the championship, can be felt both in the standings and in the stands, because every run of points can turn the battle for the upper part of the table. The match is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, and the fact that it is played at the AFAS Stadion further boosts interest, because in Alkmaar there is traditionally a “ticket extra” demand when an opponent from the top arrives. Ticket sales for this match naturally gain momentum as match day approaches, especially among fans who want to be part of an atmosphere that often lifts the home side with the rhythm of early pressure and loud support. The stakes are both sporting and emotional, because these two teams have been delivering tough, competitive duels for years in which small details such as set pieces, transitions, and finishing decide the outcome. Secure your tickets now and click the

button below, because interest in matches like this usually grows week by week as it becomes clearer who is building momentum toward the top. If you want to experience the match up close, feel the stadium’s rhythm, and be part of the shared fan pulse, now is the moment to follow ticket sales and plan your arrival in Alkmaar in time.

Standings before the winter finale and the numbers shaping expectations

A look at the table ahead of the season’s continuation shows why this pairing drew attention as soon as the schedule was announced, because NEC Nijmegen holds a high position, while AZ Alkmaar lurks from the group that can leap several places with one strong run. As of 10 January 2026, NEC are fourth with 29 points after 17 matches, with 43 goals scored and 29 conceded, a return suggesting the visitors arrive with attacking confidence but also with some defensive vulnerabilities. At the same moment, AZ are in sixth place with 25 points after 16 matches, with 31 goals scored and 28 conceded, describing a season in which the rhythm can hinge on how quickly the home side finds control in midfield. It is important to emphasize that, up to matchday 21, both teams still have commitments, so the standings can change, but the framework is clear: this is a direct clash between clubs targeting a stable place in the upper zone. That is precisely why tickets gain extra value, because fans recognize that matches like these often taste like a mini-final and bring a different charge than duels without the burden of the table. The statistics also suggest goals are not rare, especially when NEC open up in transition and AZ find space behind the wide positions, so a match is expected in which details and concentration will be decisive from the first minute. Anyone who wants to be in the stands when a match with concrete consequences for the standings is decided understandably thinks about buying tickets earlier, not at the last moment.

AZ Alkmaar at home and the rhythm dictated by the crowd

At home in Alkmaar, AZ most often want to impose tempo through possession and quick ball recovery after a lost duel, and that style comes especially to the fore when the stadium gets into the match early and drives the team toward high pressing. In this league campaign, AZ’s numbers after 16 rounds speak of 7 wins, 4 draws, and 5 losses, with an average of 1.94 points per match and 31 goals scored, pointing to attacking potential but also to periods in which finishing or defensive stability were not at the expected level. At home, in seven league matches, AZ record a return that confirms they can be awkward, yet the goals conceded show how the defense sometimes runs into problems when the opponent manages to bypass the first wave of pressure. In that context, the arrival of NEC as a team with a highly productive attack represents a test of concentration, especially in situations where the space between the lines must be defended. Atmosphere is an important factor, because the AFAS Stadion creates a compact impression and often strengthens the feeling that every ball is a shared project in the stands, which is best felt in moments when the home side seeks a comeback or wants to protect a lead. Ticket sales for matches like this are further encouraged by the fact that fans want to be part of that collective momentum, and tickets are especially sought for the sections where the greatest energy is felt. In practice, that means buying tickets is not just logistics, but also a choice of experience, because it is different to follow the match up close, hear the players’ communication, and feel how the stadium reacts to every tackle and every stoppage. If you are looking for the reason why this match is being talked about in advance, then it is precisely the blend of the table stakes and the home ambience that often gives AZ an extra percentage.

AZ’s key names and trends readable from the statistics

AZ’s attacking story this season is strongly linked to the output of Troy Parrott, who, according to available league numbers, is the team’s leading scorer with 9 goals, with the fact that some of those goals come in matches where the result was on a knife-edge. Parrott’s role is not only the finish, but also the way he moves between centre-backs and opens space for late runs, which can be especially important against NEC, who like to push their wide players high. Alongside him stands out Sven Mijnans with 4 goals, while the contribution is also spread among other players, giving AZ width but also the need to find a second or third solution at the right moment if the opponent focuses on the top scorer. AZ’s statistics also point to a relatively high number of goals conceded relative to ambitions, so the focus will be on keeping the lines compact, especially when NEC quickly switches the point of attack. In matches like this, the quality of set pieces often decides, because against evenly matched opponents space is harder to find from open play, and every ball from a corner or free kick carries both risk and opportunity. That is why it matters how AZ manage the minutes, because fans in Alkmaar like to see early pressure, but the tempo must be dosed so that overly large gaps do not open up on the recovery run. When all of this is combined with the fact that the match is played in a phase of the season in which bodies are still seeking maximum freshness after the winter period, it is clear why coaches often talk about details, duels, and discipline. Tickets for this event become sought after also because fans want to see precisely those battles, the ones in which the team’s character is recognized and in which individuals impose themselves through big moments. If you like matches that have both a star story and a collective story, AZ in such time slots often offers exactly that.

NEC Nijmegen as an away side that doesn’t hide and attacks from multiple sources

NEC enter this match with a reputation as a team capable of scoring against anyone, which is confirmed by a return of 43 goals scored after 17 league matches. Their fourth-place position as of 10 January 2026 is no accident, because throughout the season they have shown they can win in different scenarios, whether they control possession or wait for an opportunity in transition. It is especially interesting that their statistics reveal a difference between home and away performances, because outside their stadium they often enter more open matches in which space is created faster, but the defense is also exposed to a greater number of one-on-one situations. AZ will therefore have to watch for vertical balls and quick switches, because NEC have players who like to attack the empty space behind full-backs and punish a moment of inattention. In such an environment, psychological preparation is also important, because an away side that senses early that it can play usually becomes even braver and looks for a second goal, regardless of playing away. For fans, that often means a more dynamic experience, and ticket sales naturally rise when a match is expected that can head toward a high tempo and more chances. NEC’s path this season also suggests they have the ability to respond after conceding, which further increases the expectation that the match will not be decided by one moment, but by a series of situations. Buying tickets thus also gains an element of assurance, because no one wants to miss a match that, on paper, carries all the ingredients for a tense afternoon in Alkmaar. When such an attack-oriented team comes to a stadium that loves a lively match, the outcome often depends on who controls the transition from attack to defense better.

NEC’s key carriers and an attacking distribution that creates problems

When you look at the distribution of goals, NEC do not depend on one scorer, although several names stand out, which makes preparation harder for AZ because the threat can come from multiple zones. Kento Shiogai is on 7 goals according to league numbers, Koki Ogawa on 6, Bryan Linssen on 5, and behind them follow Sami Ouaissa with 4 and Tjaronn Chery with 3 goals, which speaks to the width of the attack and to the fact that the visitors have both classic finishing and shots from deeper positions. In their structure of play, the role of the midfield is important, because Chery and Ouaissa can drop onto the ball, switch play, and open space for wide runs, and that is a scenario in which AZ must be maximally disciplined in closing corridors. An important detail is also that NEC have experience in the squad, including in the goalkeeping position, which can bring them calmer control away from home when the home side presses in waves. Such a balance of experience and speed is often a recipe for good away results, but also for matches in which risks are taken, so the number of goals conceded is not surprising. In a duel like this, where high intensity is expected, particular attention will be on how NEC defend set pieces and how they react to second balls, because AZ in Alkmaar often build momentum precisely through a series of corners and deliveries. Fans who buy tickets for this event often want to see exactly those individual contests, the duel of forwards and centre-backs, and the moments when one move changes the picture of the match. That is why it is not surprising that tickets are sought after also among neutral football lovers who like tactical content as well as goals, because NEC this season offers both. If the match goes into an open rhythm, the width of NEC’s attack can become key, but then AZ also get more space to attack in waves.

Head-to-head meetings and details remembered longer than the result

The history of meetings between these clubs offers a broad sample, and the long-term balance shows that AZ more often come out as winners, with a significant number of draws that confirm how even the duels can be. According to available H2H statistics, in 49 head-to-head matches AZ have 24 wins, NEC 10, and 15 matches ended without a winner, a ratio suggesting tradition leans toward the home side, but guarantees nothing when the stakes rise to the level of a table battle. Extra weight to this match is given by the fact that they have already met in the current season, when NEC on 28 September 2025 beat AZ 2:1, which will be a motive for the home side to respond in front of their fans. Such a result usually stays in the dressing room as a reminder that the opponent must not be allowed into rhythm, especially if too much space is permitted in midfield or if there is a delay in closing down shots from the edge of the penalty area. In the context of head-to-head stories, it is also worth mentioning that the clubs were in the spotlight due to one serious health incident from earlier seasons, which has remained in the football community as a reminder that health and safety are always above the result. Such episodes further intensify the emotional charge when the teams meet again, but also underline the importance of good protocols and responsible behavior by all participants. For fans, the head-to-head balance and the fresh memory of the September defeat create an additional reason to buy tickets and be part of an atmosphere in which AZ seek redemption and NEC confirmation that they are not in the top by accident. These are precisely the matches that are retold in the stands and in the city, because they carry both statistics and a story.

Tactical turning points and matchups that can decide the result

What imposes itself as key in this duel is control of midfield, because both AZ and NEC like to attack quickly and vertically as soon as they sense the opponent has lost balance. AZ will likely try to impose possession and rhythm through the midfield line, looking for spaces between the visitors’ lines, while NEC will threaten with quick breaks and runs into the space behind the wide positions. Such scenarios often turn into a match of duels, where every lost duel in the center can become a counterattack chance and a shot, so discipline in the reaction after losing the ball will be decisive. Another tactical theme is defending set pieces, because in a match of evenly matched opponents one corner, one loose ball, or one second ball after a free kick can decide the points. AZ have an advantage in that the home ground brings clear support, so a stronger pressure is often seen in the first twenty minutes, but such a start also requires a cool head, because NEC have enough quality to punish excessive openness. On the other hand, NEC will try to be patient and wait for the moment when the home side’s pressing eases, then inject speed and use the width of the attack, which has been shown several times through the season as their path to goals. For spectators, that means a match in which a chess element can be felt, but without boredom, because transitions happen quickly, and every miss can immediately come due. That is why tickets for such a match are not just entry to the stadium, but entry into two different football philosophies colliding in real time. If you like tactical sparring with clear risks, in Alkmaar you could get a very content-rich afternoon.

AFAS Stadion as an amplifier of the experience: capacity, stands, and the safety story

AFAS Stadion in Alkmaar has long been known as a stadium that, due to the compact layout of the stands, creates a sense of closeness to the pitch, so fans often feel they are participants, not just observers. In more recent history, the stadium also went through a serious safety challenge after an event involving the roof structure, and the renovation and works that followed led to changes in the seating, including an increase in capacity to 19,478 seats, a figure often cited as an important turning point in the development of the venue. Such capacity, combined with the closeness to the pitch, creates an atmosphere that rises quickly, especially in matches with table stakes, and the match against NEC falls exactly into that category. For visitors, that means planning the arrival is just as important as buying the tickets themselves, because greater interest also brings larger crowds on approach roads, at entrances, and in the areas around the stands. Tickets in such matches are often sought after among those coming from other parts of the country as well, because Alkmaar offers both football and a city experience, so many combine the match with a short trip. Buy tickets via the button below and click

, because this is the type of match where the best experience comes when you are in your seat early enough to take in the warm-up, the first reactions of the crowd, and the match’s early rhythm. It is also important that visitors inform themselves about entry rules and recommended routes, in order to avoid stress and arrive ready to enjoy the event. In a stadium that has gone through the experience of a safety renovation, the emphasis on organization and spectator flow carries extra weight, and that is a detail visitors feel in practice.

Alkmaar as the host of a football day and the city story that follows the match

Alkmaar is interesting not only as the address of a football Saturday, but also as a city with a strong identity, recognizable for the tradition of the cheese market on Waagplein square, which during the warmer part of the year attracts visitors from all over the world. That city character, a blend of the historic center and modern amenities, creates a framework in which a match at the AFAS Stadion becomes part of a broader experience, so fans often plan the day so that before the match they stroll through the city, sit in a café, or visit key points of the center. For those coming from other cities, logistics are also important, because there are clear options to get from the railway station to the stadium, including bus lines and other forms of transport that on match day are experienced as part of the fan ritual. Such a journey enhances the sense of occasion, because fans gather already in transit, and that further raises expectations before the first whistle. That is why tickets for this event are not only a sporting item, but also entry into the city’s rhythm, into a day in which a different energy is felt around the stadium and the center. On football days, Alkmaar likes to show hospitality, but also a competitive spirit, so on the streets you can feel that an opponent from the top is coming. Tickets for such a match disappear quickly, so buy tickets in time and click the button, because planning travel and stadium entry is much easier when the most important part, your place in the stands, is already secured. Anyone who wants to experience how sport and the city complement each other will get it precisely in a match like this.

Practical information: address, approaches, and tips for a carefree arrival

The AZ Alkmaar vs NEC Nijmegen match is played at the AFAS Stadion, at Stadionweg 1, Alkmaar, and that precise location is key for planning your arrival, whether you come by car or public transport. The stadium is well connected by road, and the club regularly publishes practical instructions on recommended routes and parking zones, which is especially important when a larger number of visitors and increased congestion on approaches are expected. For those arriving by train at Alkmaar station, there are clear options to continue toward the stadium, including bus lines and organized transport on match days, so it is wise to plan enough time for transfers and to arrive before kickoff. Experience from big matches shows that the best approach is to arrive earlier, because then you avoid bottlenecks at the entrances, have time to check your section, and can calmly take your seat, which especially matters to families and groups. In a winter slot at the end of January, it is worth taking weather conditions into account and the fact that traffic and pedestrian crowds concentrate in the two hours before kickoff, so every lost minute turns into stress that can easily be avoided. Ticket sales and buying tickets therefore go hand in hand with logistics planning, because it is not the same to arrive ten minutes before kickoff or an hour earlier when you can still feel the atmosphere and the warm-up. Secure your tickets now and click

, and then organize your arrival so that the match is an experience from the first step toward the stadium, not a race against time. When everything is in place, only the most important thing remains: to enjoy football and the energy of the stands.

What the crowd can expect in the stands and why this is a match to remember

Matches like this often turn into a story in which the stadium reacts to every move, because it is a clash of teams that want to control the game, but can also be ruthless when they are given space. AZ will try to gain momentum through early pressure and support from the stands, while NEC will look for moments when they can silence the stadium with a quick attack or a goal from a situation that develops in a few seconds. The fan experience at the AFAS Stadion is specific due to the closeness to the pitch, so both the players’ emotions and the nerves in key moments are felt, and that gives spectators that extra dimension for which matches are watched live, not only through the result. As matchday 21 approaches, every decision, every foul on the edge of the penalty area, and every corner can carry weight greater than an ordinary points tally, so both a tactical battle and a strong intensity of duels are expected. In such an environment, one moment often rises to the surface: an attacker’s move, a defensive block, a goalkeeper’s intervention, or a set-piece finish, and the crowd is what turns that moment into a collective explosion or silence. Tickets for this event are sought after precisely because it is not just another match, but a duel that has a table story, a historical balance, fresh memory of the September clash, and an ambience that amplifies all emotions. If you want to be part of that day, buy tickets via the button below and click

, because matches like these are worth most when you feel them from your seat or from the stands, among people who live every minute. In the end, without big words, it is enough to say that this is a football event in which tension, tempo, and atmosphere are expected—everything for which tickets are bought in advance.

Sources:
- Sofascore, AZ Alkmaar vs NEC Nijmegen, kick-off time and basic match information
- ESPN, table and standings of the Dutch league 2025/26 and basic team data
- Soccerstats, statistics and scorers for AZ Alkmaar in the 2025/26 season
- Soccerstats, statistics and scorers for NEC Nijmegen in the 2025/26 season
- AZ.nl, page about the AFAS Stadion and historical data about the venue
- AZ.nl, practical arrival information, address and organization of approaches to the stadium
- StadiumDB, data on the stadium capacity increase after construction works
- The Stadium Guide, information about the stadium location and options for getting there from the city
- InAlkmaar.nl, cultural context of the city and the tradition of the cheese market
- Reuters, context of an earlier health incident connected to one of the head-to-head matches

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15 hours ago, Author: Sports desk

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