After the devastation of World War II, the entire city of Rotterdam needed to be rebuilt, as practically nothing was left standing.

The official opening of the Sportpalais took place during Six Days of Rotterdam, a six-day track cycling race, and was in the presence of the Prince Claus on 15 January 1971.

The main entrance to the Sportpaleis was also redesigned and the concrete footbridge from the Zuidplein (which was connected to a shopping centre and metro station) was demolished.

[11] In addition to the new grandstands, Dutch lighting company Signify installed a new custom-made 1,000 m2 LED screen wall on the facade of the arena.

[12] Since April 2021, the complex has been equipped with 5,200 solar panels which supply large events with sustainable energy 195 days a year.

The new premises, featuring a dual-purpose 7.000 concert hall and 2,750-seat auditorium/theatre (expandable to 4,000), adds an additional 35,000 square metres of floor space.

Other international events held in the arena include: It was a venue for the European finals of Superstars, the televised all-around sports competition from 1975 to 1977 and again in 1979.

[19] The 1997 and 2016 MTV Europe Music Awards and the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2007 were also held in the Ahoy Arena.

[22] On 18 March 2020, the EBU announced the cancellation of the contest due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the arena was later utilised as a field hospital.

[26] Lee Towers has the record for the number of concerts - 51 in total.. Media related to Rotterdam Ahoy at Wikimedia Commons