Apeldoorn builds toward 2027 with a home Euros vision beyond the tatami

After a 22-year wait, the Netherlands is set to host the Senior European Championships again in 2027. The official flag handover in Tbilisi turned that long-term plan into something real. For Dutch judo, it is a proud step, and for European athletes, it adds another major championship with a strong home-crowd identity.

The organisers are not treating Apeldoorn 2027 as just four competition days. Their “Judo for the Future” campaign begins in June and starts with schools. First, students will be introduced to judo and its values through a digital platform, before getting the chance to try the sport in school PE classes.

From there, the project moves into the Gelderland region, where Apeldoorn is located. A hub is planned, along with masterclasses led by Mark Huizinga, the three-time Olympic medallist and tournament director. The final step is simple and powerful: bringing those children into the arena to watch the championships live.

The Dutch plan aims to grow judo long before the first contest begins.

There is also a second track, focused on older people. Organisers highlighted a national concern around falls among those aged 60 and over, and the “Moving with Certainty” programme uses judo principles to help reduce injury risk. It is a practical way of showing that judo can matter far beyond elite sport.

Apeldoorn is also being shaped as an experience, not only a competition venue. The Dutch team wants a sold-out Omnisport on all four days, with supporters in orange and a wider crowd beyond the usual judo audience. To get there, they are borrowing ideas from other sports and large events, including tennis, Formula One, Sail Amsterdam and festivals.

The sporting mood is already strong. Newly crowned European champion Joanne van Lieshout said hosting the event at home would mean a lot to her, especially after seeing the atmosphere at a past Junior European Championships in the Netherlands. That gives the countdown an extra spark.

From 15 to 18 April 2027, Apeldoorn will try to deliver more than medals. It wants to create a European judo event that feels open, loud and deeply connected to its community.

Source: EJU_News