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NAC Breda (Dutch pronunciation: [nɑɡ breːˈdaː]), often simply known as NAC, is a Dutch professional football club, based in Breda, Netherlands. NAC Breda play in the Rat Verlegh Stadium, named after their most important player, Antoon 'Rat' Verlegh. They play in the Eredivisie, after winning play-offs for promotion in 2024. In their history, NAC won one national title in 1921 and won one KNVB Cup in 1973.

Key Information

NAC was founded on 19 September 1912, when the two clubs ADVENDO and NOAD merged to one club, both being abbreviations of their respective full names.

In August 2012, NAC reinstated their first crest as the new club logo for the 2012–13 season.[3]

Name and etymology

[edit]

NAC is a fusion of the two abbreviations of the two clubs that merged to create it in 1912, NOAD and ADVENDO.

NOAD is a Dutch abbreviation for Nooit Opgeven, Altijd Doorzetten (English translation: Never give up, always persevere), while ADVENDO is a Dutch abbreviation for Aangenaam Door Vermaak En Nuttig Door Ontspanning (English: Pleasant for its entertainment and useful for its relaxation). The C stands for Combinatie (combination).

The full name of NAC Breda expands to Nooit opgeven altijd doorzetten, Aangenaam door vermaak en nuttig door ontspanning, Combinatie Breda ([ˌnoːit ˈɔpxeːvə(n) ˌɑltɛiˈdoːrɣaːn ˈaːŋɣəˌnaːm doːr vərˈmaːk ɛˈnʏtəɣ doːr ɔntˈspɑnɪŋ kɔmbiˈnaː(t)si breːˈdaː]).

Early in 2003 NAC added Breda to their club name as a symbol of gratitude after the City of Breda bought NAC's Rat Verleghstadium to help the club cope with financial problems.

History

[edit]

Foundation

[edit]
Historical chart of league performance

NAC Breda was founded on 19 September 1912 when the clubs ADVENDO and NOAD merged. During the new club's foundation meeting the atmosphere became tense, since NOAD wanted to name the new club NOAD (NOad and ADvendo). This name was not acceptable to ADVENDO and eventually Frans Konert proposed to call the club NAC (NOAD ADVENDO Combinatie), which was accepted by the meeting's attendants.[4] At first, the NVB refused to let NAC play association football, but on 28 October 1912 allowed NAC to play in the 2nd Southern Division.

NAC's golden ages

[edit]
NAC's first squad in 1926

The first years were not very successful for NAC, but after moving to a new stadium 't Ploegske, results improved. NAC became one of the top teams in the top Southern Division, becoming champions of the 1919 season, earning NAC the right to play the Dutch Champions' Competition (a small competition in which the champions from the regional divisions would play for the Dutch title). In this competition, NAC finished in last place. In 1920, NAC were one of the first clubs to play international matches.[4] NAC played a couple of friendly matches, including a match against Real Madrid CF, winning 4-0 and the Spanish newspapers called NAC 'Los muchachos del Breda, maestros del futbol' (English: The boys from Breda, masters in football).[5] In 1921, NAC celebrated one of its greatest achievements, becoming Dutch football champions. In the Dutch Championship competition, NAC defeated Ajax, Be Quick 1887 and Go Ahead. NAC continued to excel, being considered to be one of the best clubs in Dutch football during the 20's and 30's. During this period they won 6 Southern Division titles and their play style was deemed technically perfect by press and the public.[4]

Because of this view, the NAC board decided to hire a professional trainer. Englishman Ben Affleck was hired as a coach and a couple of months later was succeeded by James Moore. After Moore resigned, the NAC board issued a committee, who would select the best 11 NAC players to play in a match.[6] In 1931 Antoon Verlegh retired from football. Verlegh, nowadays a club icon for NAC, played for them since their foundation. In this year, NAC also had a dispute with the city of Breda. The stadium's terrain 't Ploegske was classed as a residential area, meaning NAC had to leave the ground. As no other option was available in Breda, NAC were forced to move to the town Princenhage. Within two months, a complete new stadium, with a capacity of 5,500 people, was built and NAC left Breda. In 1935, NAC became the first club in the Netherlands to travel via airplane to an away match against GVAV.

In 1939, NAC and Breda reopened discussions on whether they could return to the city. Breda's council zoned a large piece of land at the Beatrixstraat as stadium area and NAC returned to Breda in 1940. Because of the breakout of the Second World War, NAC decided to play an important social function in Breda's community. In order to divert the people's attention from war, NAC organized sport events, theatre, fairs and horsing games. Although NAC continued to play football, several players were employed by the Germans in Germany. During the Second World War, youngster Kees Rijvers made his debut for NAC.[citation needed]

Challenging times

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After the Second World War, NAC played in the highest level. In 1949 Chairman of Honour C.J. Asselbergs died. Asselbergs was one of the people who were present at NAC since NAC got founded. In 1954 professional football was introduced in the Netherlands. The running competitions were postponed and new competitions were created. NAC entered the 1A League and became champions of this league in 1955. In the championship competition NAC finished second place, behind their rivals Willem II Tilburg.

On 14 March 1960 Breda was shocked to hear the death of Antoon 'De Rat' Verlegh. Verlegh, considered to be one of the important persons in Dutch football, died in a car accident on 12 March. From NAC's foundation in 1912, Verlegh was involved in the club at numerous positions and played an important role with the Royal Dutch Football Association. In November 1961 NAC lost another important person; Chairman Jacques Piederiet died. A year later, in August 1962, chairman Le Fevre died. The beginning of the sixties were not bright for NAC. In 1964–1965 NAC were relegated for the first time in their existence.

The relegation meant a total reconstruction of the club's management. The board resigned and NAC's intention was to return to the highest level within one year. NAC was successful in this and a season later NAC played in the highest level and a year later qualified for the KNVB Cup's final, where it lost to AFC Ajax. Although NAC lost, the club was allowed to play UEFA Cup. In the UEFA Cup NAC reached the second round, after defeating Floriana FC. In the second round NAC was knocked out by Cardiff City. Although NAC remained in the highest football level in the Netherlands, NAC were in a heavy struggle not to relegate. 31 May 1973 is another highlight in NAC's history. In the KNVB Cup final, NAC played NEC Nijmegen. NAC won the Final 2-0. Because of their success, NAC was allowed to play in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. In the first round, NAC was knocked out by eventual winners 1. FC Magdeburg.

The birth of the Avondje NAC

[edit]
NAC's fans in 1975 on the Spionkop

In 1975 the NAC board decided to play the home matches on a Saturday evening. In this period a group of fanatic NAC fans merged and located themselves on a stand. Their fierce support lead to an attraction of youngsters, who also fanatically support NAC. This fierce support lasts till now and is known in the Netherlands as an Avondje NAC (English; An Evening NAC). An Avondje NAC is a flamboyant mix of Burgundian fun, beer, fanaticism and love for the club and ensures that during home matches the atmosphere in the stadium is intimidating. On 6 October 1979, a strange situation occurred. During the home match against NAC's rivals Feyenoord the linesman was hit by an ashtray. The referee postponed the match, riots broke out and the incident in the Netherlands is known as the 'Ashtray Incident'.

In the eighties NAC relegated two times. After the second relegation, it appeared the financial situation of NAC was terrible. NAC was almost bankrupt and had to sell its belongings to survive. For years NAC struggled to survive, but at the end of the eighties NAC's situation improved and the club began to play in the top of the Eerste Divisie. On 7 June 1989, NAC player Andro Knel died in a plane accident. It was a shock to the club, especially since Knel was one of the popular players. Hundreds of fans of both NAC Breda and Sparta Rotterdam, Knel's former club, came together in memorial of Knel. A temporary Knel monument was revealed and the numbers of supporters visiting the monument proved his popularity. Due to the sad moments of Knel's death a special relationship between fans of NAC and Sparta was created.

After Knel's death, NAC had to continue to play in de Eerste Divisie and three times NAC was close to promote back to the Eredivisie. In 1992, NAC finally promoted to the Eredivisie. With a team managed by Ronald Spelbos and players like John Lammers, Pierre van Hooijdonk, Ton Lokhoff, Fabian Wilnis and John Karelse, NAC played their promotion match in Den Bosch against FC Den Bosch in front of 9,000 NAC fans. The promotion meant a revival of NAC's popularity, the stadium was sold out and NAC was supported by thousands of people in away matches. In the away match against their rivals Feyenoord in Rotterdam, NAC was supported by 8,000 people. Due to the popularity, the NAC board announced it would leave the stadium at the Beatrixstraat and it would build a new stadium. Until the movement, NAC continued to play in the highest level, missed qualification for the UEFA Cup several times and reached the semi-finals of the KNVB Cup.

A new stadium and continuing financial problems

[edit]
NAC's fans on the B-Side before the start of the match between NAC and PSV in 2007

In 1996 NAC moved to their new stadium, the FUJIFILM Stadium. With the move NAC indicated it wanted to play in Europe on a regular basis. In 1998, club youngster Dominique Diroux died from a heart attack during a match between the reserve teams of NAC and AZ. NAC's new players couldn't meet the club's raised expectations for a couple of seasons; NAC were even relegated in 1999. After this, it appeared that NAC's financial situation was again in peril. In 4 seasons, NAC bought 60 players and the costs of the new stadium exceeded their budget. In order to save the club, the stadium was bought from NAC by investors and Roelant Oltmans was appointed as the team's first professional manager. Also, a fans' council, the first in Holland, was established, where fans have an advisory role that protects NAC's culture and defend fan interests. NAC also has a position available to a fan in the board of chairmen.

NAC professionalized and were promoted in 2000 to the Eredivisie. In 2003, NAC qualified for the UEFA Cup, playing two matches against Newcastle United. An estimated 4,300 NAC fans travelled to Newcastle to support their team. In 2003 it appeared NAC again neared bankruptcy, but the City of Breda purchased the stadium again from NAC on 30 January 2003. As gratitude, NAC modified their name to become NAC Breda, honouring the city's consistent contributions towards helping the club during difficult times After another financial rescue, the management and the Board of chairmen resigned, being succeeded by Theo Mommers as managing director and a new Board of chairmen, led by Willem van der Hoeven. In 2006 NAC decided to rename the stadium to Rat Verlegh Stadion.

For a long time, NAC's financial position appeared stable as the club finished third in the 2007–2008 Eredivisie. In 2009, NAC qualified for the UEFA Europa League. In the 4th round, NAC was defeated by Villarreal CF with scores of 1–3 (home) and 6–1 (away). Despite earlier denials towards fans and stakeholders by management and the Board of chairmen, it appeared at the end of season 2009–2010 that NAC's financial position was once again unstable. The club lost €3.2 million that season, due to rebuilding the stadium and buying expensive players. Board members Willem van der Hoeven, Jacques Visschers and Bas Koomans resigned and Bas van Bavel became new chairman.[7] Managing director Theo Mommers reported ill in April 2010.[8] Bernard Ouwerkerk was appointed in June 2010 as the club's interim managing director, while Technical Manager Earnest Stewart signed a contract at AZ and was replaced by Jeffrey van As. During this period, NAC manager Maaskant raised his concerns several times to the press.[9][10] Because of the financial problems, NAC had to cut its budget, meaning Maaskant was not able to buy new players. On 21 August 2010, NAC and Maaskant made public that the trainer would leave the club for Polish football club Wisła Kraków, where he signed a two-year deal.[11] His assistant managers John Karelse, Gert Aandewiel and Arno van Zwam became the interim managers for NAC Breda. In January 2011, Bernard Ouwerkerk resigned and was succeeded by Ed Busselaar. In March 2011 it appeared that NAC had a debt of €7.1 million.

Relegation and Eerste Divisie (2015–2017)

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After a few seasons of struggle to stay clear of relegation, NAC couldn't avoid relegation after the 2014/15 season, when they were beaten by Roda JC in a promotion/relegation playoff final. They had enjoyed 15 successive seasons in the top tier.[12]

Return to Eredivisie (2017–present)

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On 28 May 2017, NAC returned to the Eredivisie after winning the promotion/relegation play-off final against NEC Nijmegen (1–0 and 1–4). Cyriel Dessers scored four goals in those two matches. The other goal was made by Giovanni Korte. After the match there were festivities in Breda. First there was a party next to the stadium. A day later the party continued at the "Grote Markt". On 12 May 2019, in a defeat to SC Heerenveen they relegated to the Keuken Kampioen Divisie but on 2 June 2024 they returned to the Eredivisie after a 5 seasons absence by winning the promotion play-off finals against Excelsior Rotterdam, with a 6-2 win at home and a 4-1 loss away.

Honours

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National

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Invitational

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Domestic results

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Below is a table with NAC Breda's domestic results since the introduction of the Eredivisie in 1956.

Colours and crest

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Colours

[edit]

NAC's official colours are yellow, white and black. During their existence these colours have always been in NAC's home and/or away kit.[4]

Initially, NAC's home kit was a black shirt -with a diagonal yellow line-, a white short and yellow black socks. In 1916 NAC changed this kit towards a white shirt. This white shirt would remain till the sixties when NAC decided to replace the white shirt with a yellow shirt and black shorts[4] Conversely, NAC's away colours have been very inconsistent. There is no setting in the colour standards. In NAC cultural manifest it has been stated that the home and away kits should have the official NAC colours.[15] Afterwards, NAC announced to play their home matches in a yellow shirt, with a black diagonal line running over it, black shorts and white socks, with some yellow accents in it. The away kit is a white shirt, with a yellow diagonal line marked by a black border running over it. White short and white socks complete the away kit.

Crest

[edit]

During their existence, NAC had 4 different crests. After their foundation in 1912, their crest was a black shield, with a yellow diagonal line running over it and in it the letters N.A.C.. This crest was replaced in 1968 by another crest. The reason for this crest change is unknown. In 1974 the crest was replaced by a crest which contained the letters NAC in a black and yellow combination. The crest was most probably changed due to the dismissal of the NAC board in 1974. In order to state a new beginning, a new board member's daughter designed NAC's third crest.[16]

The fourth crest was developed in 1996, when NAC moved to the Rat Verlegh Stadion. It consisted of two lions, three crosses, the letters NAC and it contains NAC's official club colours. The two lions and the three crosses are derived from Breda's crest. In 2012, the first crest was re-adopted since, as NAC celebrated its 100th anniversary. Eventually upon initiative (and paid for) by the fans it was decided to reinstate the first crest permanently.

  • Crest 1912 – 68; 2012 –
    Crest 1912 – 68; 2012 –
  • Crest 1996 – 2012
    Crest 1996 – 2012

Stadiums

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BLO Terrein

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Period: 19 September 1912 – 31 July 1913. Directly after the merger of NOAD and ADVENDO, and thus the foundation of NAC, the board rented the fields of the Bond voor Lichaamlijke Opvoeding to play their homematches. The terrain, located east of the Wilhelmina Park in Breda, was NAC's homeground for one season. Because of the terrain's poor conditions, NAC moved to another terrain.

Achter de Watertoren

[edit]
Main article: Terrein achter de Watertoren

Period: 1 August 1913 – 31 July 1916. For three seasons NAC played at the grounds known as Achter de Watertoren (English: Behind the watertower), located north of the Wilhelmina Park in Breda. During the seasons NAC played at Achter de Watertoren, NAC's popularity increased and the club decided to move for the third time in her existence.

't Ploegske

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Main article: NAC Stadion t Ploegske

Period: 1 August 1916 – 29 August 1931. Without no doubt, NAC's biggest successes were at the stadium 't Ploegske. In 1921 NAC celebrated the Dutch championship at the stadium. 't Ploegske was the first NAC stadium with stands, and a capacity over 3,000, was located at the Molengracht in Breda. Due to the fact Breda's City Council zoned the area as a residential area, NAC were forced to move.

Heuvelstraat

[edit]
Main article: NAC stadion Heuvelstraat

Period: 30 August 1931 – 1 August 1940. Due to the City Council's decision to zone the grounds of 't Ploegske as a residential area and the city of Breda had no new grounds available, NAC were forced to move out Breda. The town of Princenhage offered NAC a terrain, where NAC built a state-of-the-art stadium with a capacity of 5,500. The main disadvantage was that the stadium was located far from Breda's city centre. Nevertheless, NAC's golden decennium in the thirties, when NAC was considered to be one of the top clubs in the Netherlands, took place in the stadium at the Heuvelstraat. In 1939 the city of Breda offered NAC a new terrain at the Beatrixstraat.

Beatrixstraat

[edit]
Main article: NAC Stadion

Period: 1 August 1940 – 13 May 1996. Moving to the Beatrixstraat meant a return to NAC's roots. NAC was back in the city where it belonged. NAC's popularity increased and in the fifties and sixties NAC was considered to be one of the biggest clubs in the Netherlands. In the seventies NAC became notorious for their evening matches at this stadium. An intimidating and fierce atmosphere lead to the birth of the 'Avondje NAC' (English: Evening NAC), in which NAC's fans fanatically supported their team. The stadium's top capacity was 18,500. Due to strict regulations, it was limited to 12,560 in the nineties. Due to the stadium's age and overdue maintenance, NAC left the stadium in 1996.

Rat Verlegh stadium

[edit]
Rat Verleghstadium during NAC Breda – VVV Venlo in January 2010
Main article: Rat Verlegh Stadion

Period: 11 August 1996 – Present. NAC's current ground is the Rat Verlegh stadium, located 2 kilometres north west of Breda's city centre. Founded as the FUJIFILM Stadium, the name was changed in 2003 to the MyCom stadium. From the stadium's opening the NAC fans used the name Rat Verlegh stadium, which was officially assigned by NAC to the stadium in 2006. At present, the stadium's capacity is 17,750. Due to the increasing popularity of NAC Breda, the stadium was expanded in summer 2010 to a capacity of 19,000.[17]

Fans

[edit]

NAC fans often refer to themselves as The Rats or The Yellow Army. NAC Breda have a loyal fanbase, with virtually all their home matches selling out. National and international NAC is known by the fierce and fanatic support of their fans, combined in the term Avondje NAC (English: 'An evening NAC'). A flamboyant mix of Burgundian fun, beer, fanaticism and love for the club ensures that during home matches the atmosphere in the stadium is intimidating. The term has its roots in the seventies, when the board decided to play their home matches at a Saturday evening. Nowadays, NAC is supported by two fanatic sides: The B-Side and Vak G. The club's fans also publish NAC Fanzine De Rat, named after Antoon 'Rat' Verlegh. NAC was the first club in Dutch professional soccer to found a fans' council. This council is an advisory organisation, that protects NAC's culture and defend the fans' interests. NAC also has one position available for a fan in the board of chairmans.

Rivalries

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NAC Breda's longest-running and deepest rivalry is with their nearest neighbour, Willem II from Tilburg. This rivalry originated in the 1920s. Matches between the two are referred to as the derby of Brabant. The two cities of Breda and Tilburg are just 20 kilometres apart, leading to an intense feeling of a cross-town rivalry, heightened by a feeling that it is city against city with local pride at stake. The cities differ culturally where Tilburg only came into prominence during the industrial revolution as a working class city but Breda having been an important cultural and military hub since at least the late medieval period, being colloquially called the pearl of the south (de parel van het zuiden).

NAC Breda's other deep running rivalry is with Rotterdam based club Feyenoord. The rivalry has its roots after several incidents between fans of both clubs in the 1970s. Although Feyenoord fans don't have the same rival feelings like NAC fans have, matches against Feyenoord are considered to be of the most important and most violent matches of a season.

Organisation

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Supervisory board

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NAC Breda's supervisory board consists of 7 people.[18]

NAME ROLE
Netherlands Edwin van Baal Chairman
Netherlands Mark Haarman Deputy of Technical Affairs
Netherlands Petra van den Broek Deputy of financial affairs
Netherlands Geert van Poppel Deputy of supporter affairs

Management

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NAC Breda's management consists of the following people.[18]

NAME ROLE
Netherlands Henk Valk General Director
Belgium Carl Hoefkens Manager
Poland Tomasz Kaczmarek Assistant Coach
Belgium Turkey Serdal Güvenç Assistant Coach
Hungary Gábor Babos Goalkeeper Coach
Netherlands Ben van Bilzen Kit Manager
Netherlands Toon Gerbrands Advisor
Vacant Director of football

Players

[edit]

Current squad

[edit]
As of 5 September 2025[19]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  NED Roy Kortsmit
2 DF  NED Boyd Lucassen
4 DF  NED Boy Kemper
5 DF  NED Terence Kongolo
6 MF  NED Casper Staring
7 FW  CAN Charles-Andreas Brym
8 MF  NED Clint Leemans
9 FW  FRA Moussa Soumano
10 MF  MAR Mohamed Nassoh
11 MF  GER Raul Paula
12 DF  AUT Leo Greiml
14 FW  GHA Kamal Sowah
15 DF  LUX Enes Mahmutović
16 MF  AUS Max Balard
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 FW  NED Sydney van Hooijdonk
18 DF  NED Daan van Reeuwijk
20 MF  NOR Fredrik Oldrup Jensen
21 DF  NED Jayden Candelaria
22 DF  NED Rio Hillen
23 FW  NED Dion Versluis
25 DF  CUW Cherrion Valerius
26 FW  NED Pepijn Reulen
31 GK  GRE Kostas Lamprou
32 FW  FIN Juho Talvitie (on loan from Lommel)
44 GK  NED Thomas Goos
55 FW  MAR Brahim Ghalidi
90 MF  GER Lewis Holtby
99 GK  POL Daniel Bielica

Retired numbers

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13 – Netherlands Ferry van Vliet, midfielder (2001–02) – Posthumous honour.

Former players

[edit]
Further information: Category:NAC Breda players

National team players

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The following players were called up to represent their national teams in international football and received caps during their tenure with NAC Breda:

  • Players in bold actively play for NAC Breda and for their respective national teams. Years in brackets indicate careerspan with NAC.

National team players by Confederation

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Member associations are listed in order of most to least amount of current and former NAC players represented Internationally

Total national team players by confederation
Confederation Total (Nation) Association
AFC 6 Australia Australia (2), Indonesia Indonesia (1), Palestine Palestine (1), Philippines Philippines (1), South Korea South Korea (1)
CAF 7 Morocco Morocco (3), Ghana Ghana (2), Benin Benin (1), Liberia Liberia (1)
CONCACAF 13 Curaçao Curaçao (9), Suriname Suriname (2), Haiti Haiti (1), United States United States (1)
CONMEBOL 0  
OFC 1 New Zealand New Zealand (1)
UEFA 31 Netherlands Netherlands (20), Hungary Hungary (3), Belgium Belgium (1), Estonia Estonia (1), Finland Finland (1), Georgia (country) Georgia (1), Luxembourg Luxembourg (1), North Macedonia North Macedonia (1), Sweden Sweden (1), Switzerland Switzerland (1)

Players in international tournaments

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The following is a list of NAC players who have competed in international tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup, FIFA Confederations Cup, UEFA European Championship, CONCACAF Gold Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations. To this date no NAC players have participated in the AFC Asian Cup, Copa América or the OFC Nations Cup while playing for NAC Breda.

Cup Players
Italy UEFA Euro 1980 Netherlands Martien Vreijsen
France 1998 FIFA World Cup South Korea Noh Jung-Yoon
United States Earnie Stewart
Mexico 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup United States Earnie Stewart
South KoreaJapan 2002 FIFA World Cup United States Earnie Stewart
Angola 2010 Africa Cup of Nations Ghana Matthew Amoah
United States 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Curaçao Dustley Mulder
Costa RicaJamaicaUnited States 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup Curaçao Jurich Carolina
United States 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Suriname Dion Malone

Former coaches

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See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

NAC Breda

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NAC Breda, officially Noad Advendo Combinatie Breda, is a professional association football club based in Breda, North Brabant, Netherlands, competing in the Eredivisie, the top division of Dutch football. Founded on 19 September 1912 through the merger of local clubs NOAD and ADVENDO, the team plays its home matches at the Rat Verlegh Stadion, a venue with a capacity of 20,500 spectators that has hosted games since 1996. Known for its yellow-and-black colors and passionate supporters, NAC Breda has achieved one Eredivisie title in the 1920–21 season, one KNVB Cup in 1973, and one Eerste Divisie championship in 1999–2000, while also finishing as Eredivisie runners-up four times. The club's early history reflects its roots in Breda's working-class community, with the merger creating a unified entity that quickly rose to prominence in Dutch football, culminating in its sole national league triumph during the 1920s era of regional championships. Over the decades, NAC Breda has experienced the ups and downs typical of a "yo-yo club," frequently moving between the and the , with notable periods of stability under coaches like in the early . The team has made several appearances in European competitions, including the in the , where it advanced past early rounds but struggled against stronger opponents. In recent years, NAC Breda secured promotion to the for the 2024–25 season by winning the promotion playoffs against , marking a return to the top flight after a five-year absence since relegation in 2019. As of the 2025–26 season, the club continues to compete in the , focusing on youth development through its academy and programs.

Club identity

Name and etymology

NAC Breda, a professional football club based in , , originated from a merger on 19 1912 between two local clubs, NOAD and ADVENDO, forming the entity known as NAC, an for Noad Advendo Combinatie. The name NOAD derives from the Dutch phrase Nooit Opgeven, Altijd Doorzetten, translating to "Never Give Up, Always Persevere," which encapsulated the resilient spirit of its working-class membership in early 20th-century . Similarly, ADVENDO stood for Aangenaam Door Vermaak en Nuttig Door Ontspanning, meaning "Pleasantly Through Amusement and Useful Through Relaxation," reflecting themes of community bonding and leisure among its supporters. These etymological roots highlight the club's foundation in 's industrial and social fabric, where football served as a unifying force for advancement and perseverance. Over time, the club's nomenclature evolved for greater clarity in national contexts. In early 2003, amid financial difficulties, NAC officially incorporated "Breda" into its name as a gesture of gratitude to the city, which had acquired the to alleviate the club's debts. This adjustment to NAC Breda reinforced local identity without altering the core acronym tied to its 1912 origins.

Colours

NAC Breda's primary colours are yellow and black, adopted following the merger of NOAD (which used black) and ADVENDO (which used yellow) to form Noad Advendo Combinatie. The club's home kit has featured vertical black-and-yellow stripes since the 1920s, typically paired with white shorts and black socks as the standard combination. Away and third kits have shown historical variations, including an all-black design in and green accents in kits post-2000, such as the 2022-23 away kit. For the 2025/26 season, the away kit is an all-black Nike jersey with subtle tonal patterns, a matte NAC shield, and a small logo, designed in collaboration with the DJ. These colours integrate with the club's crest, forming a yellow-and- that echoes the kit's striped motif.

Crest

The crest of NAC has undergone several evolutions since the club's founding, reflecting changes in philosophy and ties to the city of . The original emblem, adopted in , consisted of the initials "N.A.C." in lettering arranged on a shield-shaped background divided by a yellow diagonal band against , symbolizing the club's early identity. This simple remained in use until , when it was replaced by an updated version, though the precise motivation for the alteration is not documented. In the 1970s, following internal club upheaval including a board dismissal, the crest was redesigned in 1974 to feature bold "NAC" lettering in black and yellow within a shield format, created by the daughter of a new board member to refresh the visual identity. A significant graphical refinement occurred in 1979, enhancing the color integration and lettering style while maintaining the black-yellow palette. This version persisted until 1996, when, to coincide with the opening of the new , the emblem was overhauled to incorporate elements from Breda's municipal : two rampant lions, , and the "NAC" text, all rendered in the club's traditional yellow and black to emphasize local heritage and royal connections associated with Breda's history. The modern crest, reintroduced in 2012 to mark NAC Breda's centennial, reverted to the foundational 1912 design of the black "N.A.C." initials on a yellow-and-black , restoring a minimalist and iconic appearance after fan consultations highlighted dissatisfaction with the more elaborate 1996 version. This change was initially temporary but became official and permanent through supporter initiatives and efforts, solidifying its role as the enduring symbol of the club. During the financial crises of the , which included near-bankruptcy risks and relegations, the club briefly explored cost-saving minimalist adaptations of the crest for certain merchandise and digital applications, though the core design remained consistent. As of 2025, the crest has seen no substantive alterations but has been digitized in high-resolution vector formats to support expanded merchandise production and online branding, ensuring scalability across platforms. The emblem's yellow and black scheme aligns closely with the club's kit colours for cohesive visual identity.

History

Foundation and early years

NAC Breda was established on 19 September 1912 through the merger of two local clubs, NOAD (founded in 1895) and ADVENDO (founded in 1904), both based in , . The union formed the Noad Advendo Combinatie, commonly abbreviated as NAC, with the aim of creating a stronger regional football entity. The founding meeting was led by key figures including H.J.A. Loonen as chairman, C.A. Wouterlood van Doesburg as secretary, R. Krietemeyer as treasurer, and L.H. Creton as a committee member. This merger reflected the growing organizational efforts in Dutch amateur football at the time, combining resources to compete more effectively in regional competitions. The club entered competitive play shortly after its formation, joining the 2nd Class Zuid division of the Football Association (NVB). NAC's first official match took place on 3 November 1912 against E.M.M. from , held at Wilhelminapark in . The team played its early games on this initial pitch, marking the beginning of its involvement in structured regional leagues starting in 1913. Infrastructure developments followed, with the club relocating to “Het Ploegske” (Sportpark II on Ploegstraat) in the summer of 1916 to accommodate growing activities. Membership expanded steadily during this period, supporting the club's operational needs. In its formative years through the 1920s, NAC quickly rose in regional standings, achieving notable success by becoming champions of the top Southern Division in the 1919 season. This victory earned the club promotion to the national top division, positioning it among the elite amateur teams in the . A significant milestone came on 14 March 1915, when NAC played its first cup match, defeating 3-0. Key contributors included Antoon “Rat” Verlegh, who joined as a player in 1912 and remained active until 1931, embodying the club's early spirit of perseverance. Additionally, player Eduard van Roessel made his international debut for the on 5 April 1920, highlighting NAC's emerging talent pool.

Golden eras

NAC Breda's inaugural golden era unfolded in the 1920s, marked by regional dominance in the Zuid and a triumph in 1921. Competing in the southern division, the club achieved an undefeated record across 20 matches, securing 17 victories and 3 draws while netting 64 goals and conceding just 8, a testament to their offensive prowess and defensive solidity. Key contributors included versatile Antoon "Rat" Verlegh, who scored crucial goals in the national playoffs, helping NAC advance by defeating Go Ahead (3-1) and Ajax (2-0) before clinching the title against Be Quick 1887 in a decisive playoff. This victory established NAC as the ' top club for the season, drawing significant crowds to their home matches, with attendances often exceeding 5,000 spectators in an era of growing football enthusiasm. The 1920s success extended beyond 1921, with NAC capturing five additional Zuid titles in 1922, 1924, 1925, and 1927, solidifying their status as southern powerhouses. These years featured consistent high-scoring performances, such as the 1924-25 season's 52 goals in 20 matches, and helped foster a strong local fanbase, with average attendances rising to around 7,000 for key fixtures. Players like Verlegh and forward Jo Schot, who netted multiple goals across campaigns, were instrumental in maintaining this momentum, though the club fell short of repeating the national crown. A second golden period emerged in the 1970s, highlighted by the 1972-73 victory under coach Leen Vente, ending a 52-year major trophy drought. In the final at on May 31, 1973, NAC defeated 2-0 before 38,000 fans, with goals from Coen Deken and Henk Zonderhuis securing the win against a higher-ranked opponent. This success propelled NAC into their European debut in the 1973-74 European Cup Winners' Cup, where they reached the first round but were eliminated by East Germany's (0-0 home, 0-2 away). The cup run showcased attacking flair, including a 3-0 extra-time victory over Ajax in the second round, and boosted attendances to over 15,000 for domestic matches that season.

Periods of struggle

In the , NAC Breda faced significant financial strain amid the , which impacted the club's operations and the working-class fanbase in industrial , limiting resources for player development and infrastructure. Despite these challenges, the club remained competitive in the Eerste Klasse Zuid, achieving a district championship in the 1935/36 season before stabilizing with mid-table finishes by the late decade. Post-World War II, NAC experienced instability in the newly professionalized Dutch football landscape, transitioning from amateur status in 1954, which strained the club's structure as it adapted to paid players and increased competition. The 1950s saw consistent but unremarkable mid-table performances in the , with finishes ranging from 9th to 15th, reflecting competitive inconsistencies without major successes or relegations. A notable setback came in the 1959/60 season, where NAC finished 15th and narrowly avoided direct relegation through the league's bottom-two format. The 1960s marked deeper crises for NAC, exacerbated by multiple managerial changes amid poor results and declining fan interest. The club endured its first-ever relegation in the 1964/65 season, finishing last with only 22 points from 30 matches due to ineffective tactics and squad underperformance. Average home attendance that year dropped to 8,533 spectators, the lowest among mid-tier clubs and signaling waning support from the working-class base affected by economic recovery challenges. A new board assumed control post-relegation, investing heavily at financial risk to orchestrate a swift promotion in 1965/66 via a decisive 3-0 victory in the decider against AZ '65.

The Avondje NAC phenomenon

The Avondje NAC phenomenon encapsulates the intense, celebratory atmosphere of NAC Breda's floodlit home matches, particularly those scheduled on Friday evenings, establishing it as a of the club's fan culture since the . This tradition began on December 27, 1975, when the club activated its newly installed lighting system—featuring four prominent masts—for a friendly against at the Beatrixstraat stadium, allowing evening fixtures that fused football with Breda's vibrant nightlife. The phrase "Avondje NAC," translating to "an evening of NAC," emerged to describe these electric nights, rooted in the city's working-class ethos where supporters often pre-game in local taverns, blending social ritual with fervent matchday passion. What started as a practical adaptation to scheduling soon evolved into a cultural spectacle, drawing national acclaim for its raw energy and communal spirit. At the heart of the Avondje NAC are the dynamic supporter displays, led by groups like the Spionkop, which orchestrate tifos, , and continuous chants to create an intimidating yet exhilarating environment. Fans in sections such as the B-side and Vak G drive the noise through spontaneous and rhythmic songs, emphasizing themes of loyalty and regional pride, often referencing NAC's moniker as the "Parel van het Zuiden" (Pearl of the South). These elements contribute to consistently high attendance, with evening games averaging over 18,000 spectators in the seasons and frequently selling out the 19,000-capacity during pivotal fixtures, underscoring the tradition's pull even amid competitive ups and downs. Key milestones trace the phenomenon's growth and endurance. In the 1990s, the Supportersclub NAC expanded alongside the Spionkop's influence, amplifying the atmosphere's reach following the club's 1993 promotion to the and the 1996 opening of the modern stadium, which heightened national and international publicity. The 2010s tested this resilience amid relegations in 2015 and 2019, yet Avondje NAC matches remained sell-outs in the , with supporters maintaining sold-out crowds and unyielding energy to rally the team during play-off pushes, including the 2017 return to the top flight. The cultural footprint of Avondje NAC extends beyond the pitch, inspiring media portrayals and heritage considerations. It was featured in the 2018 documentary Avondje NAC: Een liefdesverklaring, a production by GIG creative film that delves into its origins and emotional bonds, drawing from journalist Sjoerd Mossou's book of the same name. In the 2020s, amid the club's fan-ownership transition, local discussions elevated its status, with municipality officials in 2022 hailing it as "immaterieel erfgoed" (intangible heritage), affirming its role in preserving regional identity without formal pursuit.

Stadium development and financial challenges

In the , the NAC Stadion at Beatrixstraat, which had historically accommodated up to 20,000 spectators, saw its capacity reduced to around 12,000 due to enhanced safety regulations implemented during that decade and into the early . These measures reflected broader trends in Dutch football infrastructure, prioritizing spectator safety amid growing concerns over outdated facilities, though no major expansions occurred at the time. The brought significant financial strain to NAC Breda, exacerbated by the ambitious project to construct a modern stadium. Planning for the new venue began in the early as the aging Beatrixstraat site became increasingly inadequate, leading to the development of what would become the . Construction commenced in and concluded the following year at a total cost of €13.2 million, funded through a combination of club resources, loans, and municipal support. This investment, while positioning the club for future growth, contributed to mounting debts, as operational revenues struggled to offset the burden amid inconsistent on-field performance and limited commercial income. By 2003, these fiscal pressures culminated in a dire , with NAC Breda teetering on the brink of due to accumulated debts exceeding €16 million, much of it tied to stadium-related obligations. The municipality of intervened decisively, purchasing the newly built for €16 million to relieve the club's and prevent collapse. This public not only stabilized operations but also shifted ownership of the facility to the city, with NAC continuing as a long-term tenant under a reduced . The officially opened in 1996 with a capacity of around 19,000, initially named FUJIFILM Stadion under a sponsorship deal that later transitioned to MyCom in 2003, highlighting early efforts to generate revenue through amid ongoing financial tightrope-walking. The period from 2008 to 2012 saw persistent economic challenges, including ownership transitions in club governance and heightened scrutiny from authorities. In 2010, the KNVB's licensing committee imposed a one-point deduction on NAC for failing to meet financial criteria in its licensing application, underscoring the club's vulnerability to regulatory penalties. By 2011, the Belastingdienst (Dutch tax authority) placed a on €1 million owed to the club from a development project, enforcing payment of outstanding taxes and further straining liquidity. These incidents reflected deeper structural issues, such as inflated budgets and delayed payments, leading to board changes aimed at restoring fiscal discipline. In 2012, ongoing debts prompted additional negotiations with creditors, though no further points deduction materialized that year; however, the cumulative effect highlighted the club's reliance on municipal support for , with the stadium lease adjusted multiple times to mitigate annual shortfalls of around €700,000. The renaming of the to Rat Verlegh in 2006, honoring legendary player Antoon Verlegh, symbolized a cultural anchor amid these turbulent years, but financial recovery remained elusive until later interventions.

Relegation and promotion battles (2015–2024)

NAC Breda faced relegation from the at the end of the 2014–15 season, finishing 16th in the regular season with a record of 6 wins, 10 draws, and 18 losses, accumulating 28 points. The team entered the relegation/promotion playoffs but was eliminated after losing to Roda JC on away goals in the final round, with a 1–2 defeat in the second leg securing their drop to the after 15 years in the top flight. This marked the beginning of a turbulent period characterized by inconsistent performances and financial pressures that exacerbated on-field struggles. Upon returning to the for the 2015–16 season, NAC Breda initially grappled with adaptation challenges, hovering near the lower half of the table early on despite ultimately finishing third with 72 points from 21 wins, 9 draws, and 8 losses. The following campaign in 2016–17 saw further inconsistency, as the team ended fifth with 66 points (19 wins, 9 draws, 10 losses), but under manager Stijn Vreven, they secured promotion through the playoffs by defeating 5–1 on aggregate in the final—1–0 in the first leg and 4–1 in the second—earning a return to the . This brief resurgence highlighted Vreven's tactical organization, though underlying financial issues, including player sales to balance the books, loomed as a recurring theme in their survival efforts. The 2017–18 Eredivisie season proved short-lived for NAC Breda, who comfortably avoided the drop by finishing 14th with 34 points from 9 wins, 7 draws, and 18 losses, relying on a solid home record of 7 wins in 17 matches. However, defensive frailties resurfaced in 2018–19, culminating in direct relegation as the bottom-placed team (18th) with just 24 points from 7 wins, 3 draws, and 24 losses, marking their second descent in five years and initiating another extended stint in the . Amid this, the club navigated financial constraints by offloading talents such as midfielder Tom Boere in 2020 to generate revenue and stabilize operations, a strategy emblematic of their yo-yo existence. From 2019 to 2023, NAC Breda endured a cycle of near-misses in the , consistently qualifying for promotion playoffs but falling short until the period's end. Finishing fifth in both 2019–20 (season curtailed by ) and 2020–21 with 59 and 71 points respectively, they reached the 2021 playoff final only to lose 1–2 to in a decisive single-leg match, denying promotion despite a strong regular-season campaign. Subsequent seasons yielded mid-table security—8th in 2021–22 (52 points) and 6th in 2022–23 (64 points)—with persistent playoff aspirations hampered by squad turnover and occasional financial sales, such as forward Ralf Seuntjens' departure in 2022. These years underscored NAC's resilience amid budgetary limitations, setting the stage for their eventual . The culmination of this era came in the 2023–24 Eerste Divisie season, where NAC Breda finished 8th with 56 points from 15 wins, 11 draws, and 12 losses, securing a playoff spot on . In the promotion playoffs, they overcame Roda JC in the semi-finals before defeating Excelsior 7–6 on aggregate in the final—6–2 victory in the first leg followed by a 1–4 loss in the second—thus clinching promotion back to the after five years in the second tier. This hard-fought success, driven by key contributions from forwards like and a collective defensive effort, ended the club's prolonged battle between divisions.

Return to Eredivisie and recent seasons (2024–present)

NAC Breda secured promotion back to the for the 2024–25 season by defeating Excelsior in the promotion/relegation playoffs, winning the first leg 6–2 at home on May 28, 2024, before losing the second leg 4–1 away on June 2, 2024, for a 7–6 aggregate victory. This marked the club's return to the top flight after five years in the second tier following relegation at the end of the 2018–19 campaign. The promotion was achieved under interim manager Jan-Paul van Gastel, who guided the team through the regular season finish in eighth place before the playoff success. The 2024–25 season began with the appointment of as head coach on a three-year contract through June 2027, bringing his experience from Belgian clubs like Club Brugge to implement a defensive 4-3-3 formation focused on structured build-up and counter-attacks. As of November 2025, NAC Breda sat in 14th place in the standings after 12 matches, with a record of three wins, three draws, and six losses, earning 12 points while managing a goal difference of -6. Key highlights included a 1–0 home victory over on November 1, 2025, showcasing effective pressing and clinical finishing, though the team struggled against top sides, including a 2–0 loss to on September 22, 2024. Hoefkens' tactics emphasized squad depth and adaptability, contributing to resilient performances in mid-table battles. Post-promotion, NAC Breda faced ongoing challenges in squad rebuilding, with several key players from the campaign departing and new signings like midfielders Casper Staring and Clint Leemans integrated to bolster the defense and midfield. Attendance at recovered steadily, averaging 20,155 spectators per home match in the 2025–26 season as of November 2025, reflecting strong fan enthusiasm. Looking ahead, the club announced contract extensions for core players including goalkeeper Roy Kortsmit through 2027, alongside plans to increase youth academy integration by promoting talents like Christian Chiza, who signed his first professional deal in June 2025, aiming for greater reliance on homegrown players in the 2026 squad buildup. These initiatives, led by Hoefkens, focus on long-term stability to avoid future relegation risks.

Achievements and records

National honours

NAC Breda has secured one national league championship and one title in its history, both achieved during periods of competitive prominence in Dutch football. The club's league success occurred under the pre-professional system, which operated from 1905 until the introduction of the in 1956–57; this format featured regional divisions where top teams advanced to a national playoff tournament to crown the champion.

League titles

NAC Breda won its sole Dutch national championship in the 1920–21 season, triumphing in the final playoff round after emerging as champions of the southern division. The team finished the playoff tournament with a record of four wins and two losses, scoring 13 goals while conceding eight, to secure the title ahead of Be Quick 1887, , and Go Ahead.

KNVB Cup

NAC Breda's other major domestic honour is the 1972–73 , its only victory in the competition. The club defeated 2–0 in the final held on 31 May 1973 at in , with goals from Leo Bish (10') and Fred Bikker (55'), marking the first and only time NAC lifted the trophy. This win qualified NAC for the 1973–74 European Cup Winners' Cup, though the narrative of the cup run's underdog story is explored in the club's golden eras. No appearances in the (Dutch Super Cup), which began irregularly in 1949 and became annual from 1991 onward, are recorded for NAC Breda.

Regional and invitational honours

NAC Breda achieved significant success in regional competitions during the early years of Dutch football, when the national league structure was not yet fully integrated and clubs competed in district-based championships. The club's most notable regional honour was the Kampioen van het Zuiden title, awarded to the champion of the southern district encompassing and surrounding areas. NAC secured this title nine times between 1919 and 1955, establishing dominance in the region during the pre-professional era. These victories laid the foundation for NAC's participation in playoffs, contributing to their sole Dutch national title in . Specific wins included the 1919, , 1922, 1924, 1925, 1927, 1936, 1946, and 1955 editions, primarily in the and , followed by additional triumphs in later years. The 1946 championship, for instance, was clinched with a 1-0 victory over BVV Den Bosch, qualifying NAC for the national competition. Post-1950, NAC's involvement in regional and invitational events became more sporadic, reflecting the shift toward a centralized national league system. While the club occasionally participated in exhibition tournaments, no major invitational cup wins are prominently recorded beyond their early regional dominance. Youth teams have also contributed to the club's legacy, though specific U19 national championships remain less documented in historical overviews compared to senior achievements.

Historical league performance

NAC Breda has participated in the , the top tier of Dutch football, for 52 seasons as of the 2025–26 campaign, marking one of the more consistent presences among the competition's founding members since its inception in 1956–57. The club's highest league finish came in the 2007–08 season, when they placed third with 63 points from 34 matches, securing European qualification for the following year. NAC has finished as runners-up four times: in the 1924–25, 1926–27, 1954–55, and 1955–56 seasons (noting pre- context for earlier years). Across all campaigns, NAC has earned a total of 2,084 points from 1,744 matches as of the end of the 2024–25 season, reflecting 544 wins, 452 draws, and 748 losses. In the , the second tier, NAC Breda has competed in 22 seasons, often using it as a platform for returns to the top flight. The club has achieved promotion on six occasions—most recently via the in 2023–24 after finishing eighth in the regular season—demonstrating a pattern of resilience in postseason contests, though direct championship promotions have been rarer. All-time records underscore NAC's mid-table stability interspersed with challenges, including six relegations from the (1964–65, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1998–99, 2014–15, and 2018–19), each prompting spells in the lower division. The club's offensive output in the top flight reflects a balanced yet occasionally vulnerable record, with notable scoring bursts in successful eras like the late . Performance trends by decade reveal fluctuations, with stronger results in the mid-20th century and early 2000s compared to more turbulent recent periods. The following table summarizes key metrics across Eredivisie seasons by decade (points per game calculated from available data; win rates approximate based on matches played; 2020s data as of November 2025, including partial 2025–26 season):
DecadeSeasons PlayedWins-Draws-LossesPointsPoints/GameWin Rate (%)Notes
1950s–60s12112-78-1104141.1532Foundational years; first relegation in 1964–65.
1970s–80s15148-102-1365461.2131Two relegations; consistent mid-table finishes.
1990s889-62-953291.3731Relegation in 1998–99; promotion return in 1999–00.
2000s10111-71-1184041.1933Peak with 3rd place in 2007–08.
2010s1094-71-1353531.0428Two relegations; playoff promotions.
2020s (to 2025)213-10-19491.1232Return via 2023–24 playoffs; 2024–25 full season and partial 2025–26 (as of November 2025).

Stadiums and facilities

Early grounds

NAC Breda, founded in through the merger of NOAD and ADVENDO, initially played its home matches at the BLO Terrein in , located in the Wilhelminapark area of the city. This basic grass pitch served as the club's first venue, hosting its inaugural match on 3 November against E.M.M. from , with an estimated capacity for around 1,000 spectators. The ground was rudimentary, reflecting the early amateur status of Dutch football at the time, and was used for just the 1912–1913 season before the club outgrew the facility due to increasing membership and competitive demands. By 1913, NAC relocated to a more central site known as Achter de Watertoren, situated north of Wilhelminapark near a prominent in . This venue marked an improvement, with the addition of basic stands around 1920 to accommodate growing crowds, though exact capacity figures from the period are sparse. The move addressed the limitations of the BLO Terrein amid the club's rising profile, but urban expansion and the need for a proper for higher-division play prompted another relocation in 1916 to 't Ploegske on Ploegstraat. 't Ploegske, with a capacity of approximately 3,000 including 150 seated spots, was NAC's first dedicated for first-class competition and hosted matches until the early 1930s, serving as a transitional home during 's post-World War I urban growth. In the 1930s, as the club continued to expand and the city developed, NAC shifted to the Heuvelstraat ground, another interim venue that bridged the gap to a permanent site. This location, used from roughly to 1940, was influenced by ongoing and the search for more suitable facilities to support NAC's ambitions in professionalizing Dutch football. The Heuvelstraat period ended with the opening of the Beatrixstraat stadium in 1940, named after Princess Beatrix and located south of city center near residential areas and the Burgermeester van Sonsbeeck park. This long-term home, initially holding up to 20,000 spectators, became NAC's base for over five decades, with key expansions including a stand in the 1950s (adding 1,300 seats), terrace enlargements in the 1960s, a covered terrace in 1969, and a double-decker main stand in 1977 that boosted capacity to a peak of 18,500. However, by the late , Beatrixstraat faced mounting issues, with capacity gradually reduced to 10,850–12,000 in the and due to stringent regulations and aging . The venue's proved inadequate for the larger crowds following NAC's 1993 promotion to the , exacerbated by urban residential zoning pressures, leading to its closure after the final match on 28 April 1996. The relocation was driven by the need for a modern, compliant facility, as rebuilding on-site was deemed more costly than constructing a new stadium elsewhere in .

Rat Verlegh Stadion

The , located at Stadionstraat 23 in , , serves as the primary home venue for NAC Breda since its opening in 1996. Constructed between 1995 and 1996 by /IGB at a cost of approximately €13.2 million, the stadium replaced the club's previous ground on the adjacent Beatrixstraat site and was designed as a modern all-seater facility with no obstructed views from any seat. Initially boasting a capacity of 17,064, it has undergone expansions, including an increase to 17,750 seats in 2009 and further to 19,000 in 2010 through the addition of 1,250 seats; a major renovation in 2025 elevated the capacity to 20,500, enhancing commercial spaces and overall infrastructure. In 2006, the stadium was renamed the to honor Antoon "Rat" Verlegh, a legendary NAC Breda player from the 1930s who appeared in 295 matches and scored 125 goals for the club, earning the nickname "Mister NAC" for his contributions as a versatile and later administrator. Prior to this, it had borne sponsor names such as Stadion (1996–2003) and MyCom Stadion (2003–2006). The venue features heated seats throughout, under-soil heating for the pitch, and dedicated office spaces beneath the B-side stand, completed in early 1997, supporting club operations. Sustainability upgrades have been a focus in recent years, with the installation of static LED floodlights in 2017 replacing conventional lighting and reducing energy consumption significantly, followed by 1,944 solar panels on the roof in 2018 to further promote eco-friendly operations. These enhancements align with broader municipal efforts by the City of Breda, the 's owner, to minimize environmental impact while maintaining functionality for high-profile events. Beyond NAC Breda's home matches in the and , the stadium hosts concerts, UEFA Cup qualifiers, Intertoto Cup games, and international fixtures, as well as corporate events in its several lounges and halls accommodating up to 1,000 people. In the 2025–26 season, average home attendance stands at approximately 20,155, reflecting strong fan support and near-capacity crowds for key fixtures. In February 2025, plans were presented for further expansions to increase capacity beyond 20,500 by extending additional stands.

Supporters and culture

Fan base and traditions

NAC Breda boasts one of the most loyal fan bases in the , renowned for its unwavering support and high attendance figures that frequently sell out the 19,000-capacity . The club's supporters, often numbering around 18,000 per home match on average, reflect a deep-rooted connection to , where the team serves as a symbol of local pride and community identity. This dedication is evident in the near-full crowds during both and seasons, underscoring the fans' commitment regardless of the club's league status. The primary supporter organization is the Supportersvereniging NAC, founded on 1 1965 by a group of enthusiastic football fans to foster club loyalty and organize activities. This association, which has experienced recent membership growth, offers benefits such as discounted bus trips to away matches, a quarterly titled Geel-Zwart, and events including tournaments, markets, and festive gatherings. Complementing this is the "Yellow Army," the affectionate nickname for NAC's passionate supporters, particularly the section located in Vak G of the , known for creating an intense atmosphere with chants, flags, and coordinated displays during games. NAC fans uphold several cherished traditions that enhance the matchday experience and integrate with Breda's cultural fabric. Pre-match marches and gatherings are a staple, where supporters through city streets to the , building excitement and solidarity, as exemplified by of fans who marched through city center ahead of a 2025 pre-season friendly. The "Avondje NAC"—the quintessential evening at a home match—epitomizes this fervor, blending intense support with social camaraderie. Additionally, during Breda's annual , when the city transforms into "Kielegat," NAC supporters incorporate club colors and themes into the festivities, merging football loyalty with regional customs like parades and traditional attire. Supporters also engage in meaningful charity work through initiatives like NAC Maatschappelijk, the club's community arm, which supports local causes including youth development and social projects. For instance, fan-led events such as the 2024 Bier en Ballen NAC edition raised €3,300 for community programs, highlighting the group's commitment to giving back. Following the shift to local ownership by the NAC=Breda collective—averted after fan backlash against a potential foreign —supporter engagement has surged, with organizations like the Supportersvereniging reporting increased membership and the Club van (a long-term loyalty group formed in 2015) exemplifying sustained dedication. This period has seen broader commercial and community growth, reinforcing the fan base's role in the club's revival.

Rivalries

NAC Breda's most prominent local rivalry is the Breda Derby with nearby , dating back to the when both clubs competed in regional leagues. The fixture carries intense community significance due to the clubs' proximity, approximately 20 kilometers apart, and has seen over 50 meetings across various competitions. NAC has dominated the encounter, remaining unbeaten in the last 10 matches, with a record of 3 wins and 2 draws in documented clashes since 2003. The regional rivalry with Willem II , known as the Brabant Derby, originated in the as both clubs rose in Dutch football, fueled by provincial pride between and Tilburg. The two sides have met more than 137 times, with NAC securing 53 victories, Willem II 51, and 33 draws, giving NAC a win rate of approximately 39%. Notable clashes include encounters in the , such as NAC's cup triumph that heightened the competitive tension. Hooligan incidents, once common in the derby, have been minimized since the through enhanced policing and fan segregation measures. On a national level, NAC shares a heated with Rotterdam, rooted in fan confrontations and competitive league battles since the mid-20th century. The clubs have faced off over 45 times, with holding a strong advantage at 28 wins to NAC's 9, alongside 8 draws. A recent highlight was NAC's resilient performance in the 2024–25 season, including a 0–0 draw at home against the title contenders, marking a rare point against their opponents.

Organisation and staff

Ownership and board

NAC Breda underwent a significant shift in 2022, when ownership was transferred to the NAC=Breda alliance—a local group of entrepreneurs and fan representatives—on 11 following a visit that finalized the deal. This fan-led transition came after intense supporter protests derailed a proposed acquisition by the earlier that year, with the NOAD Foundation exercising its to prioritize community interests over foreign investment. Prior to this, the club had been controlled by a of private investors since 2011, marking a departure from its earlier municipal affiliations before 2000, when the city of held significant influence over operations and facilities. The (Raad van Commissarissen) provides strategic oversight, including financial management and long-term planning. As of November 2025, the board is chaired by Henk van Koeveringe, with members including Janouk Kloosterboer (legal matters), Justin Goetzee (finances), and Edwin Heeren; the group ensures alignment with the club's community-oriented goals while monitoring performance. Recent appointments, including Kloosterboer and Goetzee in January 2025, initially strengthened the board to five members, but following Jacomine Ravensbergen's departure on 1 September 2025, it now consists of four members, emphasizing expertise in business and law. This ownership structure has fostered community-focused policies, such as enhanced fan engagement initiatives and . Financially, the change has contributed to improved stability, with the club reporting a positive result of €939,000 for the 2024/2025 season, reflecting effective debt management and operational efficiencies under the new regime.

Management and coaching staff

The management and coaching staff of NAC Breda oversee the club's operations, technical development, and on-field performance, with key appointments made following the club's promotion to the in 2024 to ensure compliance with top-flight standards. Remco Oversier serves as Chief Executive Officer, appointed on August 1, 2024, and is responsible for overall club leadership and strategic direction. has been since February 1, 2023, focusing on player , planning, and long-term development initiatives. The coaching staff is led by head coach , a Belgian national appointed on July 1, 2024, with a contract until June 30, 2027; he guides the first-team tactics and training following the promotion success. His assistants include Tomasz Kaczmarek (/, appointed July 1, 2024) and Serdal Güvenc (/Türkiye, appointed July 1, 2024), who support match preparation and player coaching. Gábor Babos has been the goalkeeping coach since July 1, 2020, with his contract extending to June 30, 2026. Michel Hordijk acts as Manager and youth director, appointed July 1, 2023, overseeing the development of young talents across the club's . In technical roles, Mathijs Hage has led the scouting network as Chief Scout since February 1, 2023, with his contract until December 31, 2025; the department expanded in 2025 through a partnership with SoccerLAB to enhance talent identification for the first team and academy. Niek Ripson, Performance Manager since March 1, 2023, manages fitness and data-driven athlete optimization. The medical team, led by Sjoerd den Dekker, includes two doctors and one physiotherapist, providing comprehensive injury prevention and rehabilitation support as part of a multidisciplinary unit. Recent changes include the post-promotion appointments of Hoefkens and Oversier in mid-2024, bolstering the structure for demands in areas like and .

Players

Current squad

As of November 2025, NAC Breda's first-team squad for the 2025–26 season comprises 30 players, with an average age of 24.8 years. The roster features a mix of experienced internationals and youth academy products, with no players currently on loan from external clubs. Key signings include midfielder , who joined on August 11, 2025, from , and forward , who arrived on July 22, 2025, from Almere City and has emerged as a leading goal threat early in the campaign. The squad is detailed below, organized by position.

Goalkeepers

No.PlayerNationalityAgeDate Joined
1Roy Kortsmit33July 1, 2020
31Kostas Lamprou/34July 1, 2023
44Thomas Goos17July 1, 2025 (youth promotion)
99Daniel Bielica26July 1, 2024

Defenders

No.PlayerPositionNationalityAgeDate Joined
2Boyd LucassenRight-BackNetherlands27July 1, 2022
4Boy KemperLeft-BackNetherlands26July 1, 2021 (youth product)
5Terence KongoloCentre-BackNetherlands/DR Congo31July 1, 2024
12Leo GreimlCentre-BackAustria24July 1, 2023
15Enes MahmutovićCentre-BackLuxembourg/Kosovo28July 1, 2024
18Daan van ReeuwijkCentre-BackNetherlands18July 1, 2023 (youth product)
21Jayden CandelariaLeft-BackCuraçao/Netherlands21July 1, 2023
22Rio HillenCentre-BackNetherlands/Brazil22July 1, 2023 (youth product)
25Cherrion ValeriusRight-BackCuraçao/Netherlands20July 1, 2023 (youth product)

Midfielders

No.PlayerPositionNationalityAgeDate Joined
6Casper StaringDefensive Midfield24July 1, 2021 (youth product)
8Clint LeemansCentral Midfield30July 1, 2020
10Mohamed NassohAttacking MidfieldMorocco/22July 1, 2022 (youth product)
16Max BalardDefensive Midfield/France24July 1, 2024
20Fredrik Oldrup JensenDefensive Midfield32July 1, 2024
90Central Midfield35August 11, 2025

Forwards

No.PlayerPositionNationalityAgeDate Joined
7Charles-Andreas BrymCentre-ForwardCanada/France27July 22, 2025
9Moussa SoumanoCentre-ForwardFrance/Mali20July 1, 2024 (youth product)
11Raul PaulaAttacking Midfield/ForwardGermany/Portugal21July 1, 2024
14Kamal SowahRight WingerGhana/Belgium25July 1, 2024
17Sydney van HooijdonkCentre-ForwardNetherlands25July 1, 2024
23Dion VersluisCentre-ForwardNetherlands22July 1, 2023 (youth product)
Note: This roster reflects registered players as of the current date and may change due to transfers; youth players like Jemuel Erat, Christian Chiza, Brahim Ghalidi, Juho Talvitie, and Pepijn Reulen are also part of the extended squad but primarily feature in reserve matches.

Retired numbers

NAC Breda has retired one jersey number as of November 2025: number 13 in posthumous honor of Ferry van Vliet (2001–02), who tragically passed away at age 20 while with the club. The club's home ground, the , was officially renamed in 2006 to commemorate Antoon "Rat" Verlegh, a pivotal forward who played for NAC from to , appearing in 295 matches and scoring 125 goals during an era when he was renowned for his technical skill and loyalty to the club. This gesture symbolizes the club's values of perseverance and dedication, core to its identity as "Nooit Opgeven, Altijd Doorzetten" (Never Give Up, Always Persevere). While there have been discussions among fans and media about potentially retiring numbers for heroes of the 1973 KNVB Cup-winning team, no additional formal retirements have been introduced.

Notable former players

NAC Breda has produced or hosted several players who represented their national teams, with a particular emphasis on Dutch internationals during the club's in the and . Over the decades, at least a dozen players from the club have earned caps for the , contributing to the team's reputation for developing talent in southern Dutch football. Notable among them is , who joined NAC Breda as a youth product and broke through in the early , scoring 81 goals in 115 appearances before moving to Celtic in 1995. Van Hooijdonk earned 46 caps for the , including appearances in major tournaments. Another key figure is Frans Bouwmeester, a versatile defender who played for NAC from 1956 to 1972, making 25 appearances for the Oranje and helping the club reach the European Cup Winners' Cup semi-finals in 1973. In terms of international tournaments, NAC Breda alumni have featured prominently in World Cups and European Championships, primarily through confederation players. Van Hooijdonk represented the at the in , where he scored three goals, including a free-kick against , en route to the semi-finals. He also played in , co-hosted by the and , contributing to the team's run to the semi-finals before a dramatic loss to . , an American forward who spent seven seasons at NAC from 1996 to 2003, earned 101 caps for the and participated in the 1998 World Cup, where he started all group matches, and the 2002 tournament in and . , a Swedish striker on loan at NAC in 2003–2004, scored 14 goals in 35 matches and later represented at Euro 2004 and the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. Virgil van Dijk, who developed in NAC Breda's youth academy in the early 2000s before moving to in 2007, went on to become a world-class defender, earning over 80 caps for the and captaining the side at multiple major tournaments, including the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups. The club maintains internal recognitions for its legends through honors like the naming of the after Antoon "Rat" Verlegh, a Dutch international (12 caps) and lifelong NAC figure who played from 1919 to 1931 and later served as secretary-general. Since 2012, NAC has inducted players into informal tributes, including Van Hooijdonk for his goal-scoring legacy and contributions to the club's board, and Bouwmeester for his role in the 1973 victory. These acknowledgments highlight NAC's commitment to preserving its historical figures beyond active play.

References

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