Fireworks Incidents Rise at Dutch Football Stadiums as Stadium Bans Fall

The number of fireworks incidents inside Dutch football stadiums increased during the 2025/2026 season, even as the number of stadium bans imposed on supporters fell significantly.

Police recorded 39 fireworks incidents inside stadiums, up from 27 during the previous season. The figures come from annual police statistics covering incidents inside and outside stadiums.

Across Dutch professional football, police recorded 365 incidents during the 2025/2026 season, compared with 363 in 2024/2025. The latest figures indicate that the previous downward trend in football-related incidents has stalled.

Authorities also reported a slight increase in repeat offenders. Most suspects were between 19 and 25 years old.

Despite the increase in fireworks incidents, the number of nationwide stadium bans issued by the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) fell from 887 in the 2024/2025 season to 704 in 2025/2026.

The KNVB said the decline suggests that fewer people are becoming involved in incidents. It also pointed to improved stadium surveillance systems, which have increased the chances of identifying offenders.

Throwing objects or liquids was the leading reason for stadium bans, accounting for 100 cases. Other common reasons included public violence, with 62 cases, shielding offenders or making identification more difficult, with 61 cases, and possessing or setting off fireworks, with 54 cases.

Stadium bans lasted an average of 24 months.

Serious fireworks incidents led to the permanent abandonment of three matches during the 2025/2026 season.

The affected matches were Ajax versus FC Groningen, SC Cambuur versus Vitesse, and NAC Breda versus sc Heerenveen.

The KNVB’s Safety Monitor recorded 160 disciplinary investigations into disorder and clubs’ responsibility during the season, compared with 161 the previous year. Fireworks were involved in 93 of those investigations.

In 88 cases, investigations were closed without further action because prosecutors determined that the clubs were not at fault.

Peter Holla, a member of the Football and Safety steering group, said the impact of violence by a small group of football supporters remained significant and disruptive.

He stressed the need to continue tackling fireworks and discriminatory chants, while highlighting cooperation between clubs, the KNVB, municipalities, police and the Public Prosecution Service.

Marianne van Leeuwen, the KNVB’s director of professional football, said the figures should be viewed in the context of all 975 professional football matches played during the season.

“Football has made significant progress and continues to look for further improvements,” she said.

Van Leeuwen also warned that wider social problems were increasingly affecting football. She called for national coordination to tackle criminal groups and illegal trade, alongside legislation that reflects the challenges faced by clubs and authorities.

Dutch football authorities continue to work toward making stadiums safer while allowing supporters to enjoy matches without violence and serious disruption.

Source: NL Times, reporting by ANP, based on figures from the Dutch police, Public Prosecution Service and KNVB.

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