While the finalists of the Dutch National Surf Tour arrive in France this weekend, Scheveningen will remain dedicated to surfing for weeks to come.Following a sporting kick-off earlier this month, the new Surf City The Hague offers visitors an introduction to the diverse surf culture on the Hague coast until November 20.
From free surf clinics and international surf films to a festive celebration of the Dutch surfing elite: there is plenty to experience for surf enthusiasts in The Hague this autumn as well. On October 10, the best surfers in the Netherlands already came to The Hague for the second round of the Dutch National Surf Tour. They competed for a spot in the final, which will take place in France between October 25 and 30.
The competition was one of the highlights of Surf City The Hague , a new program celebrating the sport of surfing and its associated culture for seven weeks. Pat Smith of co-organizer Holland Surfing Association (HSA): “For many people, the beach is part of summer, but for surfers, the season only really starts after that.”
He continues: “Especially in the autumn, Scheveningen shows what a special surf spot it is. With Surf City, we want to make that world accessible to people who have never stood on a surfboard before.”
From free surf clinics to international surf films
For instance, there are surf events for beginners, enthusiasts, experts, and everyone in between. This past month, for instance, around forty young people from The Hague were able to get acquainted with the sport during surf clinics. Smith continues: “Some were offered for free or at a discount, so that young people for whom surfing is not naturally within reach could also get into the water. The first clinics were fully booked within a short time.”
For surfing on the big screen, there are also upcoming screenings of the documentary Schuim.The poignant film is about the surfing tragedy of May 11, 2020, in which five young surfers lost their lives. Following the premiere at Filmhuis Den Haag earlier this month, the documentary can still be seen at Flora Filmtheater in the coming days.
On November 7 and 8, water safety training courses are on the program, and Surf City concludes on November 20 with a festive celebration of the Dutch surf champions at surf school and restaurant Hart Beach.
Surfing in Scheveningen, all year round
Scheveningen has played an important role in Dutch surfing for decades. Young talent is trained there, top surfers train, and enthusiasts brave the waves all year round. With Surf City, the initiators aim to make this culture visible and accessible to a wider audience.
The first edition is a pilot to investigate how surfing can play an even greater role in the sporting, cultural, and social life of The Hague. Surf City Den Haag is organized by the HSA together with contractor Exventure Sports & Events, in collaboration with Stichting Formula.
Source: The Hague & Partners
Image:Surfing in The Hague comes to life in the autumn. (Photo: Wouter de Wolf)
The Dutch National Surf Tour in Scheveningen tookplaceon October 10. (photo: Wouter de Wolf)
The Hague will be one of the three host cities next year for the final round of the European Padel Championship: the FIP Euro Padel Cup 2027. This was announced last week by theKNLTB and Athvance Sports.
The Final 8 of the European Padel Championship will be played in Amsterdam, The Hague, and Arnhem. Phases 1 and 2 for women will take place in Zwolle, and Phases 1 and 2 for men in Dronten. With five host cities spread across the Netherlands, the European Championship takes on a national character. This makes the largest international padel tournament ever in the Netherlands visible not only to players and fans but also to a broad audience throughout the country.
Next step
The announcement follows the strong development that padel has undergone in the Netherlands in recent years. With over 876,000 players and more than 3,500 padel courts, the sport is at a key moment in its development. The FIP Euro Padel Cup 2027 represents the next step in the further professionalization and visibility of padel in the Netherlands.
Edu Jansing, Managing Director of the KNLTB: ” We are proud to be able to organize this tournament together with strong partners throughout the country. Padel has developed into a significant sport in a short time. With this European Championship, we not only want to bring the best players in Europe to the Netherlands, but also let as many people as possible experience what makes this sport so special. “
From July 7 to 11, 2027, the best countries in Europe will compete in the Final 8 for the European titles for men and women.
The Hague | Sportcampus Zuiderpark
In The Hague, Sportcampus Zuiderpark serves as the setting up to and including the semi-finals of the Final 8. The beautiful multifunctional venue offers ample opportunities to connect top-level sport with education, clubs, talent development, and social activities.
Alderman Nur Icar (Sport): ” Padel has experienced tremendous growth in The Hague in recent years, where there has traditionally been a large following for almost all racket sports. That is why a major top-level sporting event like the European Padel Championships certainly should not be missing from our city.”
We are therefore particularly proud that Sportcampus Zuiderpark in The Hague has been selected to host the matches up to and including the semi-finals. This gives residents the unique opportunity to experience padel at the highest level and to get active themselves through social activations. We hope to see our top players from The Hague, Marcella Koek and Janine Hemmes, in action as well .
This is how the European Championship works
The FIP Euro Padel Cup 2027 consists of three official phases.
Phase 1: March 7 to 10, 2027 – Women in Zwolle, men in Dronten
Phase 2: March 11 to 13, 2027 – Women in Zwolle, men in Dronten
Final 8: July 7 to 11, 2027 – Amsterdam, The Hague & Arnhem
During Phase 1 and Phase 2, European countries compete for a spot in the Final 8. The best countries then join the already qualified countries during the final phase of the tournament.
The European Championship is a national team competition in which players represent their country as part of the national team. The Dutch women start in Phase 2, while the Dutch men are directly qualified for the Final 8.
Activities are being organized around all the host cities for clubs, players, associations, and fans. In doing so, the European Championship is intended to become not only a stage for the European elite, but also an event that unites the entire Dutch padel community.
More information
Pre-registration for tickets is now open . More information will be announced in the coming months about:
participating countries;
the schedule;
side events per host city;
ticket sales;
activations surrounding the European Championship.
The route for the NN Marathon The Hague 2026 has been announced. On Sunday, November 1, thousands of participants will run through The Hague and Westland. The marathon thus showcases not only iconic locations in The Hague, but also the characteristic village centers, impressive greenhouse area, and coast of Westland. The combination of city, coast, and region makes the course distinctive within the Dutch marathon landscape.
More than a marathon
The NN Marathon The Hague is a new addition to The Hague’s running offerings. The event encourages sports participation, gets residents moving, and strengthens The Hague’s profile as a sports city by the sea. Through the collaboration with Westland, an attractive and varied course is created that brings together the qualities of the city, the coast, and the region.
The collaboration builds on the positive experiences surrounding the Tour de France Femmes 2024. By joining forces, an event is created that is experienced and supported throughout the entire region. This increases the involvement of residents, associations, entrepreneurs, and volunteers in both municipalities.
City, coast, and region in one route
The course connects different facets of the region. Participants run through neighborhoods in The Hague, pass the Zuiderpark, and follow the coastline from Kijkduin towards Scheveningen. In Westland, the kilometers lead through the village centers of Kwintsheul and Honselersdijk, among others, and along the vast greenhouse horticulture areas.
The Malieveld forms the heart of the event. This is where the starting gun sounds, and where the finish awaits after 42.195 kilometers.
The Hague’s Alderman for Sport, Nur Icar
The strength of this marathon lies not only in the race itself, but also in what the event unleashes in The Hague and the region. It brings residents, associations, volunteers, and supporters together and encourages people to get moving. In doing so, the marathon makes a valuable contribution to sport, health, and connection in both The Hague and Westland.
Westland Alderman for Sport, Anko Goudswaard
Westland is a sporty municipality, and we are proud that a large part of the route of the Marathon The Hague runs through our beautiful area. Together with the Municipality of The Hague, we are making this special event possible. It is a great opportunity to show what Westland stands for: an active and healthy lifestyle, engaged residents, and a strong community life. As far as we are concerned, sportsmanship is not just about participating, but also about enthusiastically cheering on the runners along the course. At the same time, we see the marathon as an opportunity to inspire more residents to get moving.
The complete route of the NN Marathon The Hague 2026 is now online at www.nnmarathonthehague.nl . More information about the event and the various distances can also be found here.
The Hague is one of the Netherlands’ leading elite sports cities, according to the 2025 Hague Elite Sports Monitor, which maps the scale, performance and social significance of elite sport in the city.
The monitor shows that The Hague has 16 elite sports programmes and 22 talent development programmes, supporting more than 1,400 elite athletes and emerging talents. This gives the city a broad and well-developed elite sports infrastructure that combines sporting achievement with social impact.
Strong sporting performances and successful talent development
Athletes and teams in The Hague have achieved notable results. Three Hague teams became national champions, several athletes won national titles, and athletes from the city are represented in national squads. More than 100 emerging athletes from The Hague have also now received official NOC*NSF promising-talent status.
The city has 416 athletes participating in elite sports programmes and more than 1,000 emerging talents in talent development programmes. A notable proportion of elite athletes have progressed through The Hague’s own development structures. Within the elite sports programmes, 58% of athletes were trained by their current club.
This highlights the strength of talent development in The Hague and the role of local sports clubs as a breeding ground for national-level athletes.
Hilbert Bredemeijer, The Hague’s alderman for Sport, said:
“This monitor shows that The Hague is not only a city where elite sport takes place, but also a city where talented athletes can progress to the highest level. This is thanks to the athletes, coaches, clubs and many volunteers. Together with our partners, we will therefore continue investing in a strong and future-proof elite sports infrastructure.”
Elite sport with social value
Elite sport in The Hague not only produces sporting success, but also has considerable social value for the city. No less than 93% of elite sports programmes organise community activities, including clinics at schools, neighbourhood activities and projects for specific target groups.
Elite sports clubs in The Hague also attract thousands of visitors and have a large network of members and volunteers.
Sebastiaan ten Hagen, chair of Haagsche Rugby Club (HRC), said:
“The monitor confirms what we experience every day: strong elite sport begins with strong clubs. At HRC, we see how talent development, volunteering, elite sport and community involvement reinforce one another.
“The national championship won by our men’s team is a wonderful achievement, but it is equally important that young athletes in The Hague can see that they can develop within their own club and reach the national elite. More than two-thirds of the HRC men’s squad previously played in our youth teams.”
Monitor provides direction for further development
The Hague Elite Sports Monitor was developed to track the development of elite sport and sporting talent over time. It provides insight into the current situation, while also identifying opportunities to strengthen the city’s elite sporting environment.
The findings show, among other things, that satisfaction with the programmes is high, while also highlighting areas for improvement.
Dr Koen Breedveld, professor of Impact of Sport at The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS), said:
“With relatively limited investment, the city supports hundreds of elite athletes and more than a thousand emerging talents. Its strength lies not only in sporting performance, but also in the continuous development of talent and the social involvement of sports clubs.
“At the same time, the monitor makes clear that success cannot be taken for granted. To maintain this position, continued investment in facilities, specialist support and organisational continuity is essential.”
The Hague Elite Sports Monitor
The Hague Elite Sports Monitor is conducted annually by the Impact of Sport research group at The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS), on behalf of the Municipality of The Hague.
It systematically tracks the development of elite sport and talent development in the city and provides insight into sporting performance, social impact, talent development and future investment.
The municipal council letter concerning the 2025 Hague Elite Sports Monitor, with the monitor included as an appendix, can be viewed online.
From 21 June to 21 September, The Hague will have a focus on sport and movement. The second edition of the Haagse Sportzomer will bring a mix of national and international top-level sporting events to the city, alongside accessible sports activities in neighbourhoods across The Hague.
“The Haagse Sportzomer clearly shows how widely sport is embraced in The Hague. From activities in the neighbourhoods to international events, we are bringing sport to the whole city. It is precisely this combination that makes it attractive for residents to take part themselves and to come and watch,” said alderman for sport Hilbert Bredemeijer.
International sport in The Hague
On the beach at Scheveningen, sport and spectators will come together for events including the Dutch beach volleyball championships, Dutch beach soccer championships and Dutch beach sprints.
The city will also welcome international sporting talent during the Under-18 Beach Volleyball World Championships and the Women’s Under-22 European Volleyball Championship. With these events, The Hague continues to strengthen its position as an international sports city.
Additional activities will also be organised around these events, giving residents the chance to try out different sports themselves, sometimes with guidance from top athletes.
Sport for all residents
Alongside the top-level sporting events, there will be accessible sports activities in all districts of the city throughout the summer. The Haagse Sportzomer Festivals are an important part of this programme. Children aged 4 to 12 can try sports such as football, dance, basketball and freerunning for free, under supervision.
In cooperation with WSDH, Werken aan Sportstad Den Haag, and local sports providers, the festivals aim to make it easier for children to connect with a sports club in their neighbourhood. Children who take part in the festivals will receive a sports pass, which they can use during and after the summer holidays for a free trial lesson.
There will also be activities for adults, including the new Haagse Beweegdag for people aged 50 and over.
The neighbourhood activities are free to attend. Some of the top-level sports events may require a paid ticket.
Stadsspelen to conclude the summer
The Haagse Sportzomer will conclude with the Stadsspelen on 19 and 20 September at Sportcampus Zuiderpark. This large-scale, free sports festival will give visitors the chance to discover a wide range of sports.
Sports clubs and associations from across The Hague will also be present, showing visitors just how much the city has to offer when it comes to sport and movement.
Image: Semifinal of the Beach Volleyball World Championships between Nummerdor/Varenhorst and Pedro/Evandro. Photo: Gemeente Den Haag / Valerie Kuypers
Mauritshuis and Nationale-Nederlanden launch running routes along street art murals
Runners can discover The Hague in a unique way this summer. The Mauritshuis, together with partner Nationale-Nederlanden, has developed three running routes that pass by street art murals. Nationale-Nederlanden (NN) is also known as the main sponsor of, among others, the NN CPC Loop in The Hague and the NN Marathon The Hague. The routes of approximately 5, 10, and 15 kilometers connect art, exercise, and the city: a sporty way to experience the large murals.
Open-air gallery Every route leads past murals scattered throughout The Hague. Six street artists created these works, each inspired by a masterpiece from the Mauritshuis collection. The artworks are free to view and together form a unique open-air gallery.Martine Gosselink, General Director of the Mauritshuis: “With these routes, we literally put art in motion. Looking at art and running have more in common than you might think: both provide energy and contribute to your well-being.”Mariëlle Krouwel, Chief Marketing Officer NN Group: “Through our partnerships, NN aims to contribute to a healthy mind in a healthy body. As a partner of the Mauritshuis, we make art accessible to everyone together, while challenging people to get moving with our running events. These new running routes merge those two worlds in a unique way.”
Own route Runners can choose from three distances. The route of approximately 15 kilometers passes by all the Mauritshuis murals in the city. Each distance is easy to download via the Mauritshuis website or to import into a navigation app or sports watch. Of course, runners can also create their own route past the artworks. For those who want to discover more about the museum and its collection along the way, there is the podcast *Het geheim van het Mauritshuis*to listen to while running. The running routes pass by murals by Nadia van Luijk (inspired by the artwork *Vase met bloemen* by Jan Davidsz de Heem) and BEYOND (inspired by the artwork * Diana en haar nymphen* by Johannes Vermeer), among others.
Win a Mauritshuis goodie bag The Mauritshuis invites runners to share their run on Instagram. Five Mauritshuis goodie bags worth €100 will be raffled among the entries. You can participate by posting a photo or message of your run using a public Instagram profile by July 15 at the latest, tagging @mauritshuis_museum, and using the hashtag #mauritshuismurals.
