Everyone should be able to fully experience Feyenoord, regardless of disability

As SLO (Supporter Liaison Officer) at Feyenoord and long-time involvement in facilities for visually impaired fans, Steven Burger has closely observed how accessibility in football has evolved. Where De Kuip once relied on antennas and FM receivers, it has shifted entirely to digital innovation since the 2024 cup final. Feyenoord then switched to Gazeti, the platform for true live commentary and audio description.

We spoke with Steven about that transition, practical experiences, and what this means for the blind section and the rest of the stadium.

Steven, Feyenoord has offered live commentary to visually impaired supporters for years. What did it look like before?

For years, we used a special system with an antenna and FM receivers. For every match, we had to test equipment, distribute it, and collect it afterward. It worked, but it was labor-intensive and fragile. Battery issues, interference, limited bandwidth it all came with the territory. Plus, supporters were always dependent on our hardware.

What triggered the switch to Gazeti?

When we discovered Gazeti, everything clicked. The platform is truly live with no delay and runs on the supporter’s own phone. That means no receivers, no antennas, no loose earbuds. People use their own device and headphones, making it feel much more natural. The first test during the 2024 cup final was a bullseye.

How did supporters react during that first rollout?

Honestly: better than expected. Visually impaired fans immediately said it was far more accessible and simpler. No hassle with equipment, no technical barriers. You click the link and listen. It made it truly low-threshold for many visitors to join in for the first time.

What does this mean for the audio section?

The audio section remains an important and close-knit spot in De Kuip. But now we’re seeing that visually impaired people no longer have to be tied to that section. Thanks to Gazeti, supporters can sit elsewhere in the stadium—for example, with family or friends—and still follow the exact same live audio description. That’s freedom, and that’s what it’s all about.

Gazeti is known for its ‘zero delay’ audio stream. How crucial is that?

That’s probably its greatest strength. Other apps or streams often have some lag. But in football, every second counts. Gazeti syncs perfectly with what’s happening on the pitch. It provides peace of mind and trust. You hear the moment as it happens, not later.

How does Feyenoord look back on using Gazeti so far?

With great satisfaction. It’s stable, supporters can use it easily, and it saves us time and logistics. Plus, it aligns with our vision of accessible football. Everyone should be able to fully experience Feyenoord, regardless of disability.

What are you most looking forward to for the future?

Rolling this out further and continuing to refine it. Technology changes fast, and the Feyenoord-Gazeti partnership shows innovation can truly drive inclusion. Ultimately, we want everyone in De Kuip to feel fully part of the match experience. Gazeti is helping us tremendously with that.

For F1 enthusiasts with and without visual impairments

Walter Tempelman, commentator Dutch GP Zandvoort

It’s an honor to describe Verstappen’s overtaking maneuvers for the Formula 1 team in Zandvoort. There are sports that seem designed to be enjoyed simultaneously with all the senses. Formula 1, and motorsports, is one such sport. The sound of the engines is an essential part of the experience.

Audiodescription makes it more fun for me

Hennie, visitor The Voice of Holland TV show

It makes everything so much more fun; I’d go again in a heartbeat. By the end of the evening, I knew one thing for sure: I want to do this again. Audio description makes an evening like this not only more accessible for me, but also much more enjoyable.

Vision for inclusivity

Daniel Schober, Pioneer of the audio stand

Daniel emphasizes a tailored approach for each club: talk to the target group, adapt infrastructure (large stadium vs. amateur field), and utilize local networks for sponsorship or internships. Daniel is also eager to contribute his years of experience and dedication to the visually impaired and blind target group.

As soon the headset goes on there is focus

SC Heerenveen, Linde Dijk As soon teh headset goed on there is focus

Bringing the Abe Lenstra Stadium to life with an audio report. In her employer’s anniversary magazine, she talked about a hobby that always elicits curious reactions: her volunteer work as a football commentator for blind and partially sighted SC Heerenveen supporters.

Everyone deserves to experience the thrill of handball

Laura van der Heijden, co-commentator WK Handbal

During the Netherlands-Austria match at the 2025 IHF Women’s Handball World Championship, I was allowed to provide the audio description as a co-commentator via Gazeti

For me, Gazeti has been a real eye-opener

Enthusiastic fan

For me, Gazeti is a real eye-opener. What surprised me just as much is the background information shared throughout. For example, I just heard that a Dutch player briefly lost consciousness in a collision in another match. And that this is already Polman’s 200th match.