Sporting events
The government wants to assist Dutch sports federations that want to stage major international sporting events in the Netherlands. These can enhance the Netherlands’ prestige, yield economic benefits and boost public involvement in sport as a whole.
Funding for organising sporting events
The government provides grants to sports organisations that wish to organise an international sporting event, subject to the requirements laid down in its events policy for 2014. For instance, the event should have a broader social impact, such as greater participation in sport.
Sharing expertise on organising sporting events
The 5 largest Dutch cities (Amsterdam, The Hague, Eindhoven, Rotterdam and Utrecht) are members of a network for working together and sharing expertise on organising major international sporting events. The umbrella organisation NOC*NSF, the Netherlands Bureau for Tourism and Congresses (NBTC) and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport are also part of the network. There are plans to extend the network in the near future.
Dutch involvement in elite sporting events
In 2014, the government provided grants to the organisers of the world championships in hockey, rowing and BMX cycling.
The Premier Events Calendar shows which sporting events are scheduled to be held in the Netherlands in 2014, 2015 and 2016, and which events the sporting federations would like to host.