Sports fans have a lot to look forward to this summer, with the the Olympics, European football and a host of other big events. Here are some of the highlights featuring Dutch teams or which are taking place in the Netherlands.
May: Catch some cricket
The Netherlands will host Scotland and Ireland for a cricket T20I triangular series from May 18 to 24 ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June. The series, which will be played entirely at the VRA Ground in Amstelveen, will see the three teams play each other twice in a round-robin format. Website
June: Amsterdam Rugby 7s
The big event in the Dutch rugby calendar, the Amsterdam rugby 7s, takes place on June 1 and 2. Elite and social rugby 7s teams, alongside seasoned vets in the 10s, go head-to-head in the ultimate showdown at Sports park De Eendracht. Website
June: T20 World Cup
The Netherlands is one of 20 teams in this year’s cricket T20 World Cup which will take place in the USA and West Indies from 1 to 29 June, 2024. The Dutch have been growing in stature as a cricketing national and their performance at last year’s World Cup included a shock win over South Africa.
June: European athletics
This year’s European Championships take place in Rome between June 7 to 12. 400 metre hopefuls Femke Bol and Lieke Klaver are among the Dutch athletes in action.
June to July: Euro 2024 championship football
Three-time winners Germany will stage June’s European football championships which run from 14 June to 14 July. Oranje are in Group D with Poland, Austria and France and are first on the pitch against Poland on June 16. Website
June: Dutch Open Golf
The Dutch Open is one of the oldest international tournaments in Europe and is taking place this year at The International golf course near Amsterdam from June 20 to 23. Website
June to July: Tour de France
The world’s biggest cycling event, which keeps the Dutch glued to their screens for weeks on end, runs from June 29 to July 21. This year the start is in Italy. Title holder Jonas Vingegaard, a Dane who rides for Dutch team Visma Lease a Bike, is one of the cyclists tipped to win.
July to August: Olympic Games
The Netherlands is sending a strong squad to this year’s Olympic Games in Paris, and pundits expect one of their best ever performances. Femke Bol is a favourite candidate to take the 400 metres title and Harrie Lavreysen is aiming to win three golds in the indoor cycling. The the sailing, rowing and hockey teams are all tipped to win gold.
August: Tour de France Femmes
The women’s event runs from August 12 to 18 and starts this year in Rotterdam and Dordrecht, so you know where to go if you want to see some cycling action. Dutch rider Demi Vollering (SD Worx) who took the title last year, is firmly at the top of this year’s list of favourites.
August: Dutch Grand Prix
Seaside resort Zandvoort is the host for the Dutch Grand Prix for the third year in a row on August 25. Max Verstappen, who was born in Belgium and lives in Monaco, is the Dutch favourite to win.