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 various stadium tours of the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam. Book a classic (self-guided) Johan Cruijff Arena Tour here or book a VIP 2 hour tour here
Netherlands home internationals (friendly):
Netherlands vs Scotland 22 Mar 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.
2023 winner: PSV; next game due August 2024.
Ajax home fixtures in 2024 for the 2023/24 season:
Ajax vs RKC Waalwijk 21 Jan 2024 (1645)
Ajax vs PSV 3 Feb 2024 (2000)
Ajax vs FK Bodø/Glimt 15 Feb 2024 (2100) – UEFA Conference League
Ajax vs NEC 18 Feb 2024 (1430)
Ajax vs FC Utrecht 3 Mar 2024 (1215)
Ajax vs Fortuna Sittard 10 Mar 2024 (1430)
Ajax vs Go Ahead Eagles 4 Apr 2024 (2100)
Ajax vs FC Twente 14 Apr 2024 (1645)
Ajax vs Excelsior 28 Apr 2024 (1430)
Ajax vs Almere City 12 May 2024 (1645)
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.
30 van Zandvoort – 30km and 18km walking event (12th edition) on 23 Mar 2024 around the Zandvoort area starting at the paddock of the famous Circuit Zandvoort.
Zandvoort Circuit run – Running event on 24 Mar 2024 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. 7 Apr 2024 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 43rd edition is scheduled for 14 Apr 2024.
Gaasperplasrun – 1km, 2km, 5km and 10km runs around the Gaasperplaas, a lake in south-east Amsterdam. Expected 23 Jun 2024.
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 106th edition is scheduled for 16-19 Jul 2024.
Dutch Athletics Championships (NK) – Annual Dutch Championships outdoor meet takes place each summer. Next event expected 29-30 Jun 2024 at FBK Stadion in Hengelo.
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. Expected November 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 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 8-16 Jun 2024.
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 2021-23 (being the first since 1985). The next Dutch Grand Prix F1 race weekend will be over 23-25 Aug 2024.
Dutch MotoGP – Popular motorcycle racing event held at the Assen TT circuit. Next event is expected 28-30 Jun 2024.
Golf Tournaments in the Netherlands
KLM Open – European Tour golf event expected at The International in Amsterdam over 20-23 Jun 2024.
Dutch Ladies Open – Ladies European Tour event due at Hilversumsche Golf Club in Hilversum, over 3 rounds , expected 19-21 Jul 2024.
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 2024.
Cycling
Omloop van Zandvoort – Cycling event over 40km, 80km or 120km on 24 Mar 2024 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. Runs 26-27 Jan 2024 at Maaspoort in Den Bosch.
Premier League – The invitational Premier League of darts event is expected to return to the Netherlands on 18 Apr 2024 at Ahoy Rotterdam.
Jack’s World Series of Darts Finals – International PDC darts event will run at AFAS Live in Amsterdam, expected 13-15 Sep 2024.
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 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 13 April 2024 at Ahoy Rotterdam.
Padel
World Padel Tour Amsterdam Open – Racquet sport tournament event, expected October 2024 at AFAS Live 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 37th edition is scheduled for 12 Oct 2024.
Rugby
Amsterdam Sevens – Annual international rugby sevens tournament with over 120 teams to be played at the National Rugby Centre in Amsterdam. The 51st edition is expected on 1-2 Jun 2024.
Skating
ISU Short Track World Championships 2024 – Short track speed skating world championships will be held at Rotterdam Ahoy over 15-17 Mar 2024.
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. Scheduled for 8 Sep 2024.
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 on 9 Jun 2024.
Last updated 25 January 2024. This article was first published in 2019 and has been regularly updated.
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