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 classic stadium tour (1 hour) or VIP tour (2 hours) of the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam. You can also do tours of Stadion Feyenoord and Philips Stadion:
- Book Johan Cruijff Arena Classic Tour tickets here
- Book a VIP Johan Cruijff ArenA tour here
- Book Stadion Feyenoord tour here
- Book Philips Stadion tour here
Netherlands home internationals (UEFA Nations League):
Netherlands vs Hungary 16 Nov 2024 (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. They reached the Quarter Final stages of the Women’s Euro 2022 tournament in England and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia/New Zealand.
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 Cruijff Schaal (Cruijff Shield, winner Eredivisie vs winner KNVB Beker), season opener.
Next match: August 2025.
Ajax home fixtures for the 2024/25:
Ajax vs SC Heerenveen 11 Aug 2024 (1645)
Ajax vs FC Groningen 6 Oct 2024 (1645)
Ajax vs Willem II 27 Oct 2024 (1645)
Ajax vs PSV 2 Nov 2024 (1845)
Ajax vs Maccabi Tel Aviv 7 Nov 2024 (2100) – UEFA Europa League
Ajax vs PEC Zwolle 24 Nov 2024 (1645)
Ajax vs FC Utrecht 4 Dec 2024 (2000)
Ajax vs SS Lazio 12 Dec 2024 (2100) – UEFA Europa League
Ajax vs Almere City 15 Dec 2024 (1645)
Ajax vs RKC Waalwijk 11 Jan 2025 (1845)
Ajax vs Go Ahead Eagles 26 Jan 2025 (1645)
Ajax vs Galatasaray 30 Jan 2025 (2100) – UEFA Europa League
Ajax vs Feyenoord 2 Feb 2025 (1430)
Ajax vs Heracles Almelo 16 Feb 2025 (tba)
Ajax vs AZ 16 Mar 2025 (tba)
Ajax vs NAC Breda 6 Apr 2025 (tba)
Ajax vs Sparta Rotterdam 27 Apr 2025 (tba)
Ajax vs NEC 11 May 2025 (tba)
Ajax vs FC Twente 18 May 2025 (1430)
Athletics / Running / Walking Events in the Netherlands
European Athletics Indoor Championships – The Netherlands will host the biannual European Championship event over 6-9 Mar 2025 at the Omnisport venue in Apeldoorn.
Dutch ‘NK’ Indoor Championships – The Dutch Indoor Championship event is held over 22-23 Feb 2025 at the Omnisport venue in Apeldoorn.
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 9 Mar 2025.
30 van Zandvoort – 30km and 18km walking event (13th edition) on 29 Mar 2025 around the Zandvoort area starting at the paddock of the famous Circuit Zandvoort.
Zandvoort Circuit run – Running event on 30 Mar 2025 around the Zandvoort circuit, beach and dunes. Options of 4km, 12km and 10 miles courses.
Cruyff Legacy 14K – Charitable fun run event over 5km and 14km around Amsterdam Zuidoost to raise money for the Johan Cruijff Foundation. Expected April 2025 with start/finish at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam.
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. The 44th edition is scheduled for 13 Apr 2025.
FBK Games – International athletics meet at the Fanny Blankers-Koen stadium in Hengelo, Netherlands on 9 Jun 2025.
Dutch Athletics Championships (NK) – Annual Dutch Championships outdoor meet takes place each summer. Expected 20-22 Jun 2025 at Prins Hendrik in Vucht.
Gaasperplasrun – 1km, 2km, 5km and 10km runs around the Gaasperplaas, a lake in south-east Amsterdam. Runs 22 Jun 2025.
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 107th edition is scheduled for 15-18 Jul 2025.
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 21-22 Sep 2024.
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 19 Oct 2024, the longer walks start from the Olympic Stadium.
TCS Amsterdam Marathon – The Amsterdam’s marathon event will be held on Sunday 20 Oct 2024. 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. Runs 10 Nov 2024.
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 1-9 Feb 2025. A strong field of top 20 players is due at the 52nd 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 7-15 Jun 2025.
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 held in 2021-24 – for the first since 1985. The next Dutch Grand Prix F1 race weekend will be held over 29-31 Aug 2025.
Dutch MotoGP – Popular motorcycle racing event held at the Assen TT circuit. Next event runs June 2025.
Golf Tournaments in the Netherlands
KLM Open – European Tour golf event expected at The International in Amsterdam. Expected June 2025.
Dutch Ladies Open – Ladies European Tour event due at Hilversumsche Golf Club in Hilversum, over 3 rounds , expected July 2025.
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. Runs 21 Oct 2024.
Glory 96 – Kickboxing fight card featuring a world welterweight title fight at the RTM stage at Ahoy Rotterdam. Runs 12 Oct 2024.
Cycling
Omloop van Zandvoort – Cycling event over 40km, 80km or 120km on 30 Mar 2025 starting in the pit lane of Zandvoort circuit.
Darts
Dutch Masters – International PDC darts tournament with the world’s top 8 players against the best Dutch talent. Expected January 2025 at Maaspoort in Den Bosch (event to be confirmed).
Premier League – The invitational Premier League of darts event is expected to return to the Netherlands on 17 Apr 2025 at Ahoy Rotterdam.
Jack’s World Series of Darts Finals – International PDC darts event runs at AFAS Live in Amsterdam, next edition expected September 2025.
Equestrian
Jumping Amsterdam – Indoor international equestrian event featuring some of the world’s best show jumping and dressage riders. At RAI Amsterdam on 23-26 Jan 2025.
Jumping Indoor Maastricht – Indoor international equestrian event held at MECC Maastricht. Runs 8-10 Nov 2024.
Korfball
League Finals – Ball sport (kind of netball-basketball cross) invented in the Netherlands. The next League finals day will be on 12 Apr 2025 at Ahoy Rotterdam.
Padel
Premier Padel Rotterdam – International padel sport tournament featuring 48 top male and female players. Next event expected in September 2025.
Power Sports
Euro Muscles Show – Event featuring pro bodybuilding, powerlifting, strongman competitions, MMA and boxing bouts. 2nd edition runs at RAI Amsterdam, 12-13 Jul 2025.
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 37th edition runs on 12 Oct 2024.
Rugby
Amsterdam Sevens – Annual international rugby sevens tournament with over 120 teams to be played at the National Rugby Centre (Sportpark de Eendracht) in Amsterdam. The 52nd edition is expected in 31 May to 1 Jun 2025.
Rugby League
Amsterdam Challenge – Rugby League is brought to Amsterdam with Hull KR vs York Knights friendly match at NRCA Stadium on 25 Jan 2025.
Skating
Friday Night Skate – A 20km organised inline skate around the streets of Amsterdam held every Friday night (2030, weather permitting) from Vondelpark Pavilion.
Swimming
Amsterdam City Swim – This charity 2km outdoor swim event in the city features up to 3,000 participants. Next event scheduled for September 2025.
Triathlon
Tri Amsterdam – International triathlon event which offers half-distance and full Olympic distance courses from Bella Vista park around the Amstel river area. Runs 15 Jun 2025.
Last updated 12 September 2024. This article was first published in 2019 and has been regularly updated.
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