Alkmaarderhout

The Alkmaarderhout, more commonly known as the "Hout" was a multi-purpose stadium in Alkmaar, Netherlands. Until 2006 it was used mostly for football matches as the home ground of Eredivisie team AZ. The stadium had a capacity of 8,914 people and was built in 1948. In 2006 it was replaced by the brand new, state of the art DSB Stadion and the Hout has been knocked down, possibly to make way for a new housing development.

The stadium will always be fondly remembered by AZ fans as the venue where the famous title winning side of 1980/81 played and more recently where AZ memorably reached the Uefa Cup semi-finals in 2004/2005. The final game at the Hout was an exhibition game between two elevens, one captained by Michael Buskermolen and the other by Barry van Galen. Not only did AZ say goodbye to the Hout but also to two club legends, both of whom are now part of the backroom staff. The Hout was known for its electric atmosphere but was an inevitable casualty of the programme of Dirk Scheringa to modernise the club and move it to bigger and better things.

Coordinates: 52°37′16″N 4°43′52″E / 52.62111°N 4.73111°E / 52.62111; 4.73111