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.
Complete the International Residents and the 2027 Beach Volleyball World Championships survey.
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.
Questions about the research can be sent to 22030581@student.hhs.nl.
Image: Nevobo (AI-generated)