FC Volendam

The Kras Stadion is the intimate home of FC Volendam, located at Sportlaan 10 in Volendam, a small fishing village in the North Holland municipality of Edam-Volendam on the Markermeer lake. The stadium holds 7,384 spectators and has been the club's home in various forms for many decades, occupying a site in the heart of the village directly beside the water. Named after the Kras travel agency, the ground's lakeside setting gives it one of the most picturesque locations of any professional football venue in the Netherlands, with views over the Markermeer and the characteristic wooden houses of Volendam visible from the stands.

FC Volendam are one of Dutch football's most unusual and endearing clubs, representing a fishing village of just over 22,000 people that has nonetheless produced a remarkable number of professional footballers relative to its tiny population. The village's Catholic culture, tight community bonds, and strong work ethic have been cited as factors in this extraordinary football productivity. Notable former Volendam players include Ronald and Frank de Boer, Clarence Seedorf, Co Adriaanse, and many others who went on to distinguished careers in Dutch and European football. The club's small size and community character make them one of the most loved smaller clubs in the Dutch game.

The Kras Stadion's modest capacity means it is invariably full and extremely atmospheric when FC Volendam participate in the Eredivisie. The tight stands and the waterside setting create a unique matchday environment that visiting clubs and supporters find memorable. Volendam's periodic appearances in the Eredivisie, most recently in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, have brought national attention to the village and its football club. The traditional wooden architecture of the village and the colourful costumes worn by locals at festivals reinforce Volendam's identity as one of the Netherlands' most distinctive communities, and the Kras Stadion is at the heart of its sporting culture.