This is a full listing of the Dutch sporting calendar with a focus on major sports events in Amsterdam and around the Netherlands.
Dutch Football
Football (soccer) is by far the most popular sport in the Netherlands. Taking in a match of the Dutch national team (Nederlands elftal) is perhaps one of the great experiences of world football.
Seeing the Dutch fans bedecked in all orange brings back some fleeting memories of the mighty Holland teams from the 1970s and 80s. Johan Cruijff. Total Football. Ruud Gullit. Marco van Basten. Euro 88…
As of late, the fortunes of the Dutch team has been mixed. The Netherlands failed to qualify for both Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018. They were losing finalists in the 2019 UEFA Nations League and reached the last 16 of the delayed Euro 2020 tournament and the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
The Dutch national team plays most of its home matches at either Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam or Stadion Feyenoord (De Kuyp) in Rotterdam, with the occasional match at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven.
It is possible to take a stadium tour of the Johan Cruijff ArenA – book Classic Johan Cruijff ArenA Tour tickets here
Netherlands will host the semi-finals and final stages of the UEFA Nations League 2022-23.
Netherlands vs Croatia 14 Jun 2023 (2045) – Stadion Feyenoord, Rotterdam
Spain vs Italy 15 Jun 2023 (2045) – De Grolsch Veste, Enschede
Third-place Play off 18 Jun 2023 (1500) – De Grolsch Veste, Enschede
Final 18 Jun 2023 (2045) – Stadion Feyenoord, Rotterdam
Netherlands home internationals (Euro 2024 qualifiers):
Netherlands vs Gibraltar 27 Mar 2023 (2045) – Stadion Feyenoord, Rotterdam
Netherlands vs Greece 7 Sep 2023 (2045) – Philips Stadion, Eindhoven
Netherlands vs France 13 Oct 2023 (2045) – Johan Cruijff ArenA, Amsterdam
Netherlands vs Ireland 19 Nov 2023 (2045) – Johan Cruijff ArenA, Amsterdam
Since winning the Euro2017 tournament on home soil, the Dutch women’s team (Nederlands vrouwenelftal) has seen a big leap in popularity.
The following are international friendlies and a warm-up for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand in July-August:
Netherlands Women vs Germany Women 7 Apr 2023 (2000) – Fortuna Sittard Stadion, Sittard
Netherlands Women vs Poland Women 11 Apr 2023 (2000) – Sparta Stadion, Rotterdam
Dutch League (Eredivisie) matches are normally played from August to May with a winter’s break in early January. AFC Ajax plays its home games at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam.
Johan Cruyff Schaal (Cruijff Shield, winner Eredivisie vs winner KNVB Beker), season opener.
Ajax Eredivisie home fixtures for the 2022/23 season:
Ajax vs FC Groningen 14 Aug 2022 (1430)
Ajax vs Cambuur 3 Sep 2022 (1630)
Ajax vs SC Heerenveen 10 Sep 2022 (1845)
Ajax vs Go Ahead Eagles 1 Oct 2022 (2000)
Ajax vs Excelsior 15 Oct 2022 (2000)
Ajax vs PSV 6 Nov 2022 (1645)
Ajax vs Vitesse 9 Nov 2022 (2000)
Ajax vs FC Twente 14 Jan 2023 (2100)
Ajax vs Volendam 26 Jan 2023 (2100)
Ajax vs RKC Waalwijk 12 Feb 2023 (1645)
Ajax vs Sparta 19 Feb 2023 (1645)
Ajax vs NEC 5 Mar 2023 (1645)
Ajax vs Feyenoord 19 Mar 2023 (1430)
Ajax vs Fortuna Sittard 9 Apr 2023 (1430)
Ajax vs Emmen 16 Apr 2023 (2000)
Ajax vs AZ 6 May 2023 (2100)
Ajax vs FC Utrecht 21 May 2023 (1430)
Athletics / Running / Walking Events in the Netherlands
CPC (City-Pier-City) Run – An annual half marathon event in the Hague. Starting in the city, the flat course takes in Scheveningen beach before heading back to the centre. Next edition is on 10 Mar 2024.
NN Rotterdam Marathon – This big marathon event in the Netherlands normally attracts over 20,000 competitors including a field of world-class athletes. One of the fastest marathon courses in the world, the race begins on Erasmus Bridge with the finish line being on the Coolsingel. Up to a million spectators line the streets of Rotterdam. The 42nd edition is scheduled for 16 Apr 2023.
Gaasperplasrun – 1km, 2km, 5km and 10km runs around the Gaasperplaas, a lake in south-east Amsterdam. Now expected on 18 Jun 2023.
Nijmegen Vierdaagse – International four days marches event around the city of Nijmegen with up to 50,000 participants – walking 30km, 40km or 50km per day over all 4 days. The 105th edition is scheduled for 18-21 Jul 2023.
Dutch Athletics Championships (NK) – Annual Dutch Championships outdoor meet takes place each summer. Next event expected 28-30 Jul 2023 at SPRINT Breda.
Dam tot Dam Loop – Popular fun-run event which includes the world’s biggest 10 mile event from Amsterdam to Zaandam attracting almost 50,000 participants. Due 16-17 Sep 2023.
Amsterdam City Walk – 10, 14, 17, 20, 26 and 33 km walking events held the day before the Amsterdam marathon taking in the highlights of the city. Saturday 14 Oct 2023, the longer walks start from the Olympic Stadium.
TCS Amsterdam Marathon – The Amsterdam’s marathon event will be held on Sunday 15 Oct 2023. The race starts and finishes at the Olympic Stadium.
Olympic Stadium Run – The Olympischstadionloop is a 5km and 10km running event which starts and finishes at the Olympic Stadium in the south of Amsterdam. Expected November 2023.
Tennis Events in the Netherlands
Netherlands hosts 2 ATP tournaments during the year:
ABN Amro Tournament – ATP tennis tour event at Ahoy Rotterdam, scheduled for 10-18 Feb 2024. A strong field of top 20 players is due at the 51st edition.
Libéma Open – International grass court tournament (men’s ATP and women’s WTA) at the Autotron Rosmalen near Den Bosch, 1 hour south of Amsterdam. Used as a warm-up to Wimbledon for some players. Expected 10-18 Jun 2023.
Motorsport in the Netherlands
Formula 1 – With the rise of local star Max Verstappen, Formula 1 is seeing record popularity in the Netherlands. F1 has come back to the historic circuit at Zandvoort (near Amsterdam) with races in 2021 and 2022 (being the first since 1985). The next Dutch Grand Prix F1 race weekend will be over 25-27 Aug 2023.
Dutch MotoGP – Popular motorcycle racing event held at the Assen TT circuit. Next event is scheduled for 23-25 Jun 2023.
Golf Tournaments in the Netherlands
KLM Open – European Tour golf event due at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt (Den Bosch) over 25-28 May 2023.
Big Green Egg Open – Ladies European Tour event due at Hilversumsche Golf Club in Hilversum, over 3 rounds on 8-10 Sep 2023.
Baseball
World Port Tournament Baseball – International biennial baseball event featuring the Netherlands, Curaçao, Japan, Taiwan and USA. Expected to return in 2023 at Neptunus Family stadium in Rotterdam.
Boxing
Ben Bril Boxing Gala – Ben Bril (1912-2003) was a Jewish Dutch boxer who fought aged 16 at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam and later survived deportation to a German concentration camp. This annual boxing and dinner show at Theater Carré Amsterdam is held in his memory. Scheduled for October 2023.
Darts
Premier League – The invitational Premier League of darts event is expected to return to the Netherlands on 20 Apr 2023 at Ahoy Rotterdam.
Equestrian
Jumping Amsterdam – Indoor international equestrian event featuring some of the world’s best show jumping and dressage riders. At RAI Amsterdam on 25-28 Jan 2024.
Jumping Indoor Maastricht – Indoor international equestrian event held at MECC Maastricht. Runs 10-13 Nov 2023.
Inline Skating
Friday Night Skate – A 20km organised skate around the streets of Amsterdam held every Friday night (2030, weather permitting) from Vondelpark Pavilion.
Korfball
League Finals – Ball sport (kind of netball-basketball cross) invented in the Netherlands. League finals day will be on 15 Apr 2023 at Ahoy Rotterdam.
Padel
World Padel Tour Amsterdam Open – Racquet sport tournament event, expected in October 2023 at Plaza Padel and De Centrale Markthal in Amsterdam.
Rowing
Grachtenrace – Up to 140 sloop boats race over a 25km course around Amsterdam’s canals. The race starts near Jan Schaeferbrug (bridge) at IJhaven and the route takes in various canals including Herengracht, Leidsegracht and Singelsgracht. The finish is at Oosterdok by the Maritime Museum. The 36th edition is scheduled for 7 Oct 2023.
Rugby
Amsterdam Sevens – Annual international rugby sevens tournament with over 120 teams to be played at the National Rugby Centre in Amsterdam. The 50th edition will be held 2-4 Jun 2023.
Swimming
Amsterdam City Swim – This charity 2km outdoor swim event in the city features up to 3,000 participants. Scheduled for 3 Sep 2023.
Triathlon
Tri Amsterdam – International triathlon event which offers half-distance and full Olympic distance courses from Bella Vista park around the Amstel river area. Expected to return 18 Jun 2023.
Para Sports
European Para Championships – The inaugural edition of the para multisport event will be held in host city Rotterdam over 8-20 Aug 2023. There will be 1,500 Paralympic athletes from 45 countries competing in 10 sports.
Last updated 13 March 2023. This article was first published in 2019 and has been regularly updated.
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