The Hague will be the setting for the start of the Eneco Tour on Tuesday, October 13. From Sportcampus Zuiderpark, both male and female cyclists will begin a spectacular 3.1-kilometer evening prologue. It is a first: not only is it the first time that women are starting in the Eneco Tour, but they will also be starting alternately during the time trial in The Hague. Prior to the professional race, Edwin van der Sar, Richard Krajicek, Viggo Waas, and Lucinda Brand, among others, will be in action during the celebrity prologue.
The evening prologue in The Hague marks the kick-off of six days of cycling spectacle throughout the country. The men’s and women’s races are held on the same day and over the same course during every stage. This all comes together during the opening in The Hague: starting at 6:00 PM, the female and male professional cyclists depart alternately from Sportcampus Zuiderpark, a unique event.
Hague cyclists take to the course
The Hague cycling community will also have a place in the program. Prior to the prologue, women’s cycling community KEK and cycling club Trias will ride a time trial on the official course with their own members. This makes the start of the Eneco Tour not only a top international sporting event, but also a moment when cyclists from The Hague are part of the race themselves. The Hague Cycling Alliance will also gather prior to the start. In this network, committed residents of The Hague and organizations dedicated to cycling in the city meet to exchange knowledge and inspiration and forge new connections.
Nur Icar: ‘Everyone participates’
Alderman Nur Icar (Sport): “Next week, not only will the best cyclists ride through The Hague, but residents of The Hague themselves will also be allowed onto the course. As far as I am concerned, sport is not just something to watch; it must also bring people together and invite them to participate. The fact that men and women will start alternately here makes this opening extra special. Everyone participates, and everyone gets the same podium.”
The public is welcome at the free Cycling Festival in the Zuiderpark starting at 4:00 PM. Visitors can view the team buses, participate in cycling activities, enjoy music, and grab a bite to eat and a drink at the food trucks, among other things. The pros will start their prologue at 6:00 PM. Admission to the event is free.
After the opening in The Hague, the Eneco Tour continues through the Netherlands, with stages in Ede, Tilburg, Sittard-Watersley and Hoogeveen (VAM-berg), and the finale on Sunday, October 18 in Arnhem.
Municipality and Water Sports Federation extend successful collaboration until 2032
The Hague and the Royal Netherlands Water Sports Federation (Watersportverbond) are continuing their successful collaboration. Both parties are signing a new cooperation agreement recently for the period 2026–2032. With this, they confirm their shared ambition to further develop The Hague as the premier water sports city and top sailing port of Northwest Europe.
In recent years, the collaboration between the Municipality of The Hague and the Dutch Water Sports Federation has led to significant results for Dutch water sports. For instance, the national team established a permanent base in Scheveningen, the Top Sailing Centre was realized, and Scheveningen grew into a recognized National Elite Sailing Centre. In addition, various international elite sporting events found their way to The Hague, such as the Sailing World Championships.
With the new agreement, both parties are building upon this strong foundation. In addition to elite sport, there will be a strong focus in the coming years on grassroots sport, talent development, innovation, and appealing water sports events. The municipality and the Dutch Water Sports Federation also aim to introduce more residents to water sports such as sailing, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), canoeing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing.
Alderman for Sport Nur Icar: “The Hague is the premier sports city by the sea, and water sports are part of our identity. With this extension, we strengthen our position as an international water sports city and simultaneously create more opportunities for everyone to discover water sports. From grassroots sport to elite sport: this collaboration contributes to a strong, vibrant, and inspiring sports city.”
The Hague as a water sports city for everyone
An important part of the collaboration is further strengthening the visibility and accessibility of water sports in the city. The Hague water sports associations, sports providers, and initiatives such as the Marit Bouwmeester Academy play a key role in this. By organizing more events, activities, clinics, and programs for schools, both parties aim to bring water sports closer to residents.
Arno van Gerven, Managing Director of the Dutch Watersports Federation: “Watersports and The Hague are a natural match. Thanks to the good cooperation, we have made great strides in recent years, from the arrival of the national team in Scheveningen to the construction of the Top Sailing Centre and the organization of international events. The new agreement gives us the scope to build on this and realize new sporting and social highlights in the coming years.”
Elite sports, innovation and international events
The Hague remains the home base for the Dutch elite sailing program. Furthermore, the municipality and the Dutch Water Sports Federation are jointly committed to attracting international elite sporting events. The ambition is to bring events to The Hague that are not only leading in sporting terms, but also contribute to innovation, sustainability, and societal impact.
The cooperation agreement will be signed during the iQFOil World Championships, where TeamNL competes with the international elite ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The agreement runs through 2032. Both parties express the intention to continue the collaboration thereafter as well.
Children will train, run and race together — with and without a running frame
What happens when a child who runs independently and a child who uses a running frame are placed on the same team? They can train together, race together and, above all, experience the joy of belonging together.
This September, a new inclusive athletics initiative is coming to The Hague. Stichting Equal Play and Haag Atletiek are joining forces to create a team where children with and without disabilities can train side by side. The programme will focus on running and relay races, bringing together children who use a running frame and children who do not.
The initiative will be introduced to the public during the Stadsspelen Den Haag on Saturday 19 September, where Stichting Equal Play will host an inclusive athletics workshop. The regular training programme will take place on Saturdays from 10:00 to 11:00 at Haag Atletiek, with children training together as one team.
The aim is simple, but powerful: more opportunities for children to meet, move and make friends through sport — regardless of how they run.
The need for more inclusive spaces is clear. Research published by Dutch charity Stichting het Gehandicapte Kind found that 72% of children without disabilities never arrange to meet or play with a child with a disability, even though 45% say they would like to do so. The same research found that more than one in three children with a disability never visit a playground or meeting place in their own neighbourhood, and more than a quarter of those who do are often there alone.
Sport can be one of the places where those barriers begin to disappear.
Rather than creating separate activities and expecting children to participate in parallel worlds, the new athletics team is built around training together. A relay race is a particularly fitting example: every participant has a role, every participant contributes to the team and everyone moves towards the same finish line.
For some children, a running frame can make running and participation possible. For others, no frame is needed. At Haag Atletiek, those differences will not determine whether children belong to the same team. The intention is for them to train alongside one another, encourage one another and take part together.
The programme is designed for children aged 6 to 12, with and without disabilities. Children can try the training in an inclusive and supportive environment, with the focus not only on athletics, but also on fun, confidence, connection and friendship.
For Stichting Equal Play, that social element is just as important as the sport itself. Inclusive sport is not simply about adapting an activity so that someone can be present. It is about creating genuine opportunities for children to participate together — and to get to know one another as teammates and peers.
The launch also comes at a moment when inclusive relay racing is gaining wider visibility. In the Netherlands, relay formats are increasingly showing what is possible when athletes with and without a running frame compete and participate together. The new initiative at Haag Atletiek brings that same idea closer to home for children in The Hague.
Families will be able to discover the initiative during the Stadsspelen Den Haag workshop on 19 September. The regular Saturday training sessions will offer a continuing opportunity for children to develop their running skills, practise relay racing and become part of an inclusive team.
For many families, finding a local sports activity where children with different abilities can genuinely participate together can be difficult. This new collaboration aims to offer exactly that: a place where children do not have to fit into a separate category before they can join in.
The message behind the initiative is straightforward: different ways of moving should not mean separate worlds.
Children and families interested in taking part can register through equalplay.nl/aanmelden.
The new inclusive athletics programme is a collaboration between Stichting Equal Play and Haag Atletiek and will be introduced at the Stadsspelen Den Haag on Saturday 19 September, before continuing with regular Saturday morning training sessions.
Because sometimes inclusion does not need a complicated explanation. Sometimes it can start with something as simple — and as meaningful — as handing the baton to a teammate.
Practical information
Workshop: Saturday 19 September 2026, Stadsspelen Den Haag
Regular training: Saturdays, 10:00–11:00
Location: Haag Atletiek, Laan van Poot 353A, 2566 DA The Hague
Age: 6–12 years
For children with and without disabilities, with and without a running frame
Community Contribution by Lorenzo Maddalena, student at The Hague University of Applied Sciences
From 13 to 22 August 2027, the Beach Volleyball World Championships will take place in the Netherlands, bringing international sport to The Hague, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Apeldoorn.
The Hague will host the opening match and final weekend, with beach volleyball returning to the Hofvijver following the success of the 2015 Championships.
For a city with such a large and diverse international community, the event raises an interesting question: could the Championships also provide an opportunity to involve international residents more directly?
That question is at the centre of my graduation research.
My name is Lorenzo Maddalena, and I am an International Sport Management student at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. In collaboration with Nevobo, the Dutch Volleyball Federation, I am exploring the feasibility of a possible International Day during the 2027 Beach Volleyball World Championships.
Having worked at major international sporting events, including the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games and the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, I have become particularly interested in spectator experience and how sport can engage international communities. That interest led me to this research.
Why focus on international residents?
The Hague is home to people from many different countries and backgrounds. International professionals, students, families, entrepreneurs, diplomats, researchers and employees of international organisations all contribute to the character of the city.
However, living in an international city does not automatically mean feeling connected to its sporting events. The purpose of this research is therefore to hear directly from international residents.
Would the opportunity to support a particular country or team make attendance more attractive? Would people be more likely to attend with friends, family or colleagues? Could ticket prices, work schedules, transport or childcare become barriers? Would a social or networking element add value—and where would international residents expect to find information about the event?
These practical questions can help determine whether an International Day would be worthwhile and, if so, what could make it successful.
You do not need to be a volleyball fan
You do not need to play volleyball, follow beach volleyball or regularly attend live sporting events to participate in the research.
Responses from people who would not normally attend a volleyball event are especially valuable. If an International Day is intended to reach a wider audience, understanding what could attract new visitors is just as important as hearing from existing sports fans.
The survey is open to international residents living in the Netherlands, with particular interest in people who live, work, study or regularly spend time in The Hague and nearby cities.
From assumptions to evidence
The survey has been developed with input from Nevobo, The Hague International Centre and ACCESS NL.
The results will form part of my graduation research and will be used to make recommendations to Nevobo about the feasibility of an International Day and the factors that could support its successful implementation.
The aim is to base those recommendations on what international residents actually say—not on assumptions about what they might want.
How to take part
The short survey takes approximately three to four minutes to complete and will remain open until 20 October 2026.
You are also welcome to share it with other international residents in your network. Every additional response helps build a clearer picture of what people would value from an event like this.
If an International Day is eventually developed during the Championships, this research aims to ensure that international residents have a voice in shaping what it could look like.
About the author
Lorenzo Maddalena is an International Sport Management student at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. His interests include event management, spectator experience and engaging international communities through sport.
The Libéma Open is an international grass tennis singles and mixed tournament for men and women and which is held in Rosmalen, near ‘s-Hertogenbosch from 6 – 14 June.
Registration for the men’s singles at Libéma is now closed. Defending champion Gabriel Diallo (ATP-46) will face significant challenges from at least four top 20 players and multiple Grand Slam champions.
The schedule for the ATP 250 tournament is led by Felix Auger-Aliassime (ATP-5). Former world number one and US Open winner Daniil Medvedev is the second top 10 player (ATP-9) coming to the Autotron ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Arthur Fils (ATP-17) and Cameron Norrie (ATP-20) are formidable world-class players.
Other big names competing on the Brabant grass include Arthur Rinderknech (ATP-24), Ugo Humbert (ATP-33), Denis Shapovalov (ATP-37), US Open champion and Wimbledon finalist Marin Cilic (ATP-49), and Hubert Hurkacz (ATP-53).
The registration for the women’s event is still be completed, however, the Libéma Open welcomes several former winners in the women’s singles draw, including Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova. The Czech player was the best on London’s hallowed grass in 2024.
Elise Mertens (WTA-22) is the defending champion at the and will be hunting for back-to-back titles. A feat that Ekaterina Alexandrova (WTA-14) knows all about. She claimed the singles title in 2022 and 2023.
Danish player Clara Tauson (WTA-18) is, after Alexandrova, the second top-20 player coming to the Brabant grass. Australian Maya Joint (WTA-34), former world number eight Emma Navarro (WTA-35), top talent Sara Bejlek (WTA-37), rising star Anastasia Potapova (WTA-38), and emerging Janice Tjen (WTA-40) complete the top-40.
Last year’s finalist Elena-Gabriela Ruse (WTA-67) is also returning.
Libéma Open – International tennis tournament (6 – 14 June 2026) Autotron ‘s-Hertogenbosch
Going into what was set to be a vital game for ADO Den Haag in pushing for their automatic promotion hopes, the home side sat atop the Eerste Divisie table with 19 points in 7 games. Taking wins in 6 of them. The league leaders faced Noord-Brabant opponents TOP Oss who were struggling mid table with just 10 points, just coming off the back of a disappointing 2-1 home loss to promotion hopefuls Roda JC. While ADO were still unbeaten in the league and had won the last 5 games in a row, and certainly looking to add to that with this Monday night fixture against TOP Oss.
The tone was set immediately by the home side as Curacao national and ADO winger Nigel Thomas picked up the ball well into the TOP Oss half and with a staggering turn of pace cut towards the by-line and played in a hopeful cross into the box, searching for a yellow and green shirt. The ball fortuitously deflected down into the feet of Den Haag marksman Jesse Bal who made no mistake from 15 yards out and placed the ball past the despairing Havekotte in goal. With just 6 minutes played the home side were 1-0 up and already had their sights on yet another league win.
The chances soon flooded after that, and just 8 minutes later another chance fell to ADO. This time to attacking midfielder Luka Reischl who didn’t manage to capitalise on a good cross in from Illiajah de Ruijter as TOP Oss number 1 Mike Havekotte got down well to his left hand side and parried the ball away. Unluckily the parry landed at the feet of goalscorer Nigel Thomas who too managed a shot on target but another parry by Havekotte, this time out of play, managed to subdue the ADO attack and provide restbite for the struggling away side.
On 25 minutes, however, the away side finally cracked again as a good corner ball found its way to the back post where it was headed down by defensive midfielder Juho Kilo toward centre back Diogo Tomas who flicked towards the goal and into the back of the net. Doubling the advantage for the home side, and securing that much needed 2 goal cushion. A cushion that was soon expanded to 3 just 10 minutes later as a good ball into the penalty area from the right hand side by Nigel Thomas found the head of Luka Reischl who made no mistake this time and directed the ball past Havekotte who was rooted to the spot. Giving the home side a 3 goal advantage in just 35 minutes.
The away side did manage a goal before the end of the first half, however, as tricky TOP Oss winger Joshua ZImmerman gave himself a yard with a good step over on the right hand side and played in a great cross to TOP number 9 Tijmen Wildeboer who scored what will likely go down as one of the goals of the month and perhaps the season as he superbly flicked the ball behind his left foot first time off the incoming cross and into the far corner, leaving Nikiema no chance. The score was now 3-1 to ADO with 44 minutes played.
The home side did manage to regain their 3 goal lead even before the break as with just 1 minute into added time a long range effort from Jari Vlak somehow beat Havekotte thanks to some poor goalkeeping as the ball went underneath the keeper’s dive to his left hand side. The score was 4-1 to ADO going into the halftime break.
In the second half a flood of chances were created by the home side, forcing some great saves and great defending from TOP Oss to prevent another ADO goal. This was until the 76th minute as an incoming free kick was headed down by Matteo Waem to Jari Vlak at the far post who easily volleyed it home to make it 5-1 from the home side and secure all 3 points as the final whistle confirmed the score.
ADO were now still top of the table and had extended their lead to 2 points ahead of second place Cambuur and still with a game in hand. Their eyes will now be turned to their next game which will undoubtedly be crucial in maintaining this good run of form as ADO are set to face lower mid-table Jong AZ away from home on Friday the 3rd of October.
MATCH FACTS:
ADO 5 – 1 TOP Oss
ADO: Bal (7), Tomas (26), Reischl (36), Vlak (45+2, 77)
