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.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, hosted jointly across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico — the first time three nations have co-hosted the tournament. It features 48 teams playing 104 matches over 39 days, up from 32 teams and 64 matches in previous editions.
The final
The tournament culminates with the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Fun bonus detail: FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed there will be a half-time show at the final, with Coldplay involved — inspired by the NFL’s Super Bowl tradition.
Oranje in Group F
The Netherlands are in Group F alongside Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia. Here are the Dutch fixtures in Dutch time (CEST):
Sunday 14 June — Netherlands vs Japan: 22:00 (Dallas)
Saturday 20 June — Netherlands vs Sweden: 19:00 (Houston)
Friday 26 June — Tunisia vs Netherlands: 01:00 (Kansas City)
The Netherlands have reached the World Cup final three times (1974, 1978, 2010) without ever winning. With a relatively favourable group, there’s real belief this could be their year!
Here’s a list on the best places to watch the games:
O’Casey’s Irish Pub & Restaurant(Noordeinde 140) One of The Hague’s best-loved Irish pubs, O’Casey’s brings genuine warmth and energy to match days. With screens throughout the bar and a crowd that actually cares about the game, it’s the kind of place where a late equaliser gets the whole room on its feet. Book a table in advance — it fills up fast for big fixtures.
The Fiddler(Riviervismarkt 1) A Den Haag institution, The Fiddler is an English-style pub spread across two levels with multiple large screens and locally brewed cask ale on tap. It draws a loyal international crowd and has a long track record of hosting major sporting events. The atmosphere during a big match here is reliably electric.
Sports Café Not Out(Valeriusstraat 18) The most dedicated sports venue on this list. Not Out is built around the game — a large pull-down projector screen, a relaxed neighbourhood feel, and a crowd of genuine football fans. Slightly off the beaten tourist path, it’s a favourite among expats and locals who take their sport seriously.
Voco The Hague by IHG(Kneuterdijk 8) For those who want to watch the World Cup in comfort and style, the bar at Voco The Hague offers a more laid-back alternative to the pub scene. Located in a beautifully restored city-centre building, it’s a good option for smaller groups or anyone who prefers their football with a cocktail rather than a pint of lager.
Café Restaurant Rootz(Grote Marktstraat 14) Right in the heart of the city centre, Rootz is a lively all-day café-bar with over 160 beers on the menu and a warm, bustling atmosphere that suits a big occasion. With its high ceilings and historic interior, it hits a sweet spot between neighbourhood café and proper football venue — the kind of place you settle in for the whole evening.
Sherika Rooplal-Clappers is a contributing writer for The Hague Online, covering culture, lifestyle, and local events. With a passion for storytelling and international perspectives, she highlights the people, places, and experiences that make The Hague a dynamic city.
ADO Den Haag has announced Zelesta as its new main sponsor. The Dutch brand, known for its original washable duvet with a fixed cover, will become the club’s most important commercial partner from the coming season.
The sponsorship begins in the 2026–2027 season, when ADO Den Haag returns to the Eredivisie, the top tier of professional football in the Netherlands.
For international readers who are less familiar with Dutch football, ADO Den Haag is The Hague’s professional football club and an important part of the city’s sporting identity. The club has a loyal local following and plays a visible role in the wider community, both on and off the pitch.
Zelesta is a fast-growing Dutch brand that aims to make bed-making easier. Its washable duvet has become popular with customers who want to make their bed quickly and conveniently. From its base in the Netherlands, the company has grown into a recognised brand in several European countries.
Martijn van Opstal, Commercial Director of ADO Den Haag, said the club is proud to welcome Zelesta as its new main sponsor.
“We are extremely proud to be able to connect Zelesta to ADO Den Haag as our new main sponsor. Zelesta is a fast-growing Dutch brand that fits perfectly with our ambitions and modern image. From the first contact, we felt a shared energy and entrepreneurial drive. With Zelesta, ADO Den Haag is bringing in an ambitious and innovative partner with whom we want to continue building the future of our club in the coming years.”
Zelesta CEO Sven Bosschaart also responded positively to the new partnership.
“ADO Den Haag is a club with enormous energy, a loyal fan base and a strong identity. That fits well with who we are as a brand. For Zelesta, this partnership is a great step towards further growth in the Netherlands and increasing our visibility as a brand. We look forward to achieving great things together, both on and off the pitch.”
Last week, ADO Den Haag also announced that Unicomm will be the sleeve sponsor of the men’s team next season. The club already has long-term partnerships with EasyTech Technical Solutions on the sleeve and Biersteker on the back of the shirt.
The #ADOgroen initiative, through which the club aims to help get The Hague moving, will also feature on the shirts. This will appear on the lower back of the match shirts for the men’s, women’s and youth teams.
Text: ADO Den Haag, translated and adapted by The Hague Online Image: ADO Den Haag/Angelo Blankespoor
At the Hague Sports Gala earlier this week, The Hague’s sports community came together to celebrate successes and showcase the power of sports in our city. In the festively decorated Zuiderpark Sports Campus, the achievements of The Hague athletes, coaches, and volunteers were proudly put in the spotlight.
From gold, silver, and bronze at (inter)national tournaments to the indispensable contribution of volunteers on the playing fields: the gala emphasized both the joy and the power of sports. Highlights of the evening included the presentation of the coveted titles for Sportsman, Sportswoman, Sports Team, Sports Coach, Sports Talent, Referee, Sports Volunteer of the Year, and this year, the Lifetime Achievement Award. The show was once again presented by Bas Muijs and co-hosted by Rutger Vermast and was a fitting end to a year full of sporting successes in The Hague. The winners were determined by a combination of public votes and a professional jury.
Alderman for Sports Hilbert Bredemeijer: “We look back on a fantastic year of sports, in which The Hague athletes delivered exceptional performances. The nominees and winners we celebrated at the Hague Sports Gala demonstrate what is possible with passion and perseverance. They get our city moving. Hearty congratulations to all the winners!”
The Hague Sportswoman of the Year – Steffie van der Peet (track cycling)
Steffie van der Peet had an exceptional season. With multiple gold medals in the UCI Track Champions League, European titles in the keirin and team sprint, and a gold medal in the World Championships, she confirmed her status as a fixture at the international top. Her consistent form and impressive focus make her this year’s Sportswoman of the Year.
The Hague Sportsman of the Year – Sem Steijn (football)
For Sem Steijn, 2025 was the breakthrough year. He became the top scorer in the Eredivisie, transferred to Feyenoord, and made his debut for the Dutch national team. With his down-to-earth attitude and recognizable Hague charisma, he became a key player and a crowd favorite. His strong season earned him the title of Sportsman of the Year.
The Hague Sports Team of the Year – HRC (rugby)
The Sports Team of the Year award went to HRC, who managed to win the national title again after eleven years. The team demonstrated a strong mentality by overcoming a deficit in the final against Rotterdam and convincingly becoming champions. The team distinguishes itself through athletic strength, resilience, and a close-knit club culture where elite sport and community go hand in hand.
TheHague Sports Talent of the Year – Yara Akkerman (hockey)
Sixteen-year-old Yara Akkerman has made impressive progress this year. She won the national championship both indoors and on the field with the U18 team (girls under 18) and made her debut for the Women’s 1 team this season. Her talent, speed, and game insight are nationally recognized; a promising player who is rightfully named Sports Talent of the Year.
The Hague Sports Coach of the Year – Sarina Wiegman (football)
Sarina Wiegman has reaffirmed her place among the world’s elite. In a demanding international environment, she led the England team to new successes with determination, composure, and strategic insight. Her consistent performance, strong leadership, and exemplary role make her the Sports Coach of the Year—a title she has now received for the sixth time.
The Hague Referee of the Year – Danny Gerritsen (korfball)
Danny Gerritsen has been refereeing at the highest amateur level within the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNKV) for years and is known for his clear style, insight into the game, and reliable decisions. His appointment for the Dutch Premier League finals underscores his growth and professionalism. This earns him the title of Referee of the Year.
The Hague Sports Volunteerof the Year – Koos Hundepool (martial arts)
Koos Hundepool has been the driving force behind the Martial Arts Center The Hague for years. He mentors young and old alike—from bag training to Parkinson’s boxing—and creates a close-knit community with humor and warmth. With initiatives like “Koffie, Cake & Knalluh,” he brings a unique and connecting element to volunteering.
Koos Hundepool’s reaction: ” It’s incredibly exciting to win, a real surprise. I’ve been on the youth board since I was twelve. It’s in my blood. My message is: keep volunteering. Sports bring people together and keep them connected. I hope to inspire more people to become volunteers. “
Lifetime Achievement Award – Marit Bouwmeester (sailing)
After nearly twenty years at the world’s top, Marit Bouwmeester is ending her impressive career. With four Olympic medals, four world titles, and five European titles, she is the most successful sailor of all time. This year, she also opened the Marit Bouwmeester Academy, where she shares her knowledge with new generations. An extraordinary career, recognized with the lifetime achievement award.
The Hague Sports Gala is an initiative of the Municipality of The Hague; Department of Topsport, Sports Campus & Events.
