The venue will play host to 12 top quality matches over four days of action – running from 25-28 March, 2016 – with 16 clubs from eight different countries battling it out for a place in the FINAL4.
It will be the fifth time the EHL has come to the Dutch venue with Amsterdam previously hosting the FINAL4 in 2010 and 2012, the KO16 in the 2012/13 season and Round 1 in 2008.
This will be the last time the Wagener stadium will be used for a major event before its redevelopment for the 2017 EuroHockey Championships.
Speaking about the announcement, AH&BC Amsterdam chairman Rob Groenemeijer is delighted that his club has been awarded the hosting rights, saying: “We welcome the 16 top hockey teams and all hockey fans to Amsterdam. EHL tournaments in the Wagener stadium are special and mean top sport and entertainment for everybody. AH&BC is proud to be back and participate.”
EHL chairman Hans-Erik Tuijt added: “I am really pleased with this announcement of the KO 16 venue. It will give hockey fans around Europe and, especially in the Netherlands, time to prepare to come and see the world’s best club hockey players up close and showcase the sport in the best possible way.”
Tickets for the marquee event also go on sale today via the EHL website. Day tickets are available until 31 January, 2016 at an early bird price of just €13,50 while a Passepartout, allowing access for all four days, is €45 for adults. Children get in for €8 per day or €28 for the Passepartout if tickets are bought online before the end of January.
The action will get underway 25 March with Polish champions WKS Grunwald Poznan playing Belgium’s KHC Leuven before a mouth-watering clash between German giants Rot Weiss Köln and UHC Hamburg.
Belgium’s Dragons face Atlètic Terrassa before Racing Club de France play their first KO16 match against Dutch side SV Kampong.
The second day of KO16 matches on 26 March features Russia’s Dinamo Kazan against 2014 champions Harvestehuder THC. The Spanish derby between Real Club de Polo and Club Egara follows before Wimbledon make their EHL debut against the host club, AH&BC Amsterdam.
Reigning champions Oranje Zwart begin their campaign against Royal Leopold for the final place in the KO8 which runs on 27 and 28 March.
The winners of the KO8 matches will advance to the FINAL4 which takes place in Barcelona on 14 and 15 May.
EHL 2015-2016 KO16 and KO8 match schedule (all times CET)
25-28 March 2016 at AHBC Amsterdam (NED)
KO16
Friday 25 March
M1 12.45h WKS Grunwald Poznan (POL) – KHC Leuven (BEL)
M2 15.00h Rot Weiss Köln (GER) – UHC Hamburg (GER)
M3 17.15h KHC Dragons (BEL) – Atlètic Terrassa (ESP)
M4 19.30h Racing Club de France (FRA) – SV Kampong (NED)
Saturday 26 March
M5 10.30h Dinamo Kazan (RUS) – Harvestehuder THC (GER)
M6 12.45h Real Club de Polo (ESP) – Club Egara (ESP)
M7 15.00h Wimbledon (ENG) – AH&BC Amsterdam (NED)
M8 17.15h MHC Oranje Zwart (NED) – Royal Leopold (BEL)
KO8
Sunday 27 March
M9 12.15h Winner M3 vs Winner M1 (KO8-3)
M10 14.30h Winner M4 vs Winner M2 (KO8-4)
Monday 28 March
M11 12.15h Winner M8 vs Winner M5 (KO8-1)
M12 14.30h Winner M7 vs Winner M6 (KO8-2)
Note: Match times and schedule subject to change due to the requirements of television or other factors as determined by EHL. KO16 = KNOCK OUT 16 (ROUND 2) KO8 = KNOCK OUT 8 (ROUND 3 / QUARTER FINALS)
Photograph: HAMBURG – Euro Hockey League round 1.1.(EHL/ FFU PRESS AGENCY COPYRIGHT)