This is stated in the Implementation Program Sports and Exercise 2025–2026, in which the municipality, together with partners such as SportUtrecht, develops plans to get and keep more residents active.

Utrecht primarily targets people who currently find it harder to participate. Therefore, we are working towards equal opportunities, with special attention to young children up to 4 years old, children and young people in low-income families, and residents with disabilities. For this youngest group, a new study on nutrition and exercise in childcare organizations is underway. Based on the outcomes, follow-up steps will be determined together with childcare locations for a healthy start. Sports providers and facilities will be supported citywide. Keeping sports affordable and expanding sports facilities in a growing city remain important goals.

Councilor Eva Oosters (Sports): “Especially in these times, it is important to invest in what connects people. Sports and exercise play a significant role in this. It is not just about health, but also about strengthening the community and preventing healthcare costs. By getting children and young people moving, we are building a healthy future.”

Accessible
Sports and exercise must be accessible to everyone. Therefore, we make it easier and more affordable, especially for people with disabilities and families with limited financial means. Starting July 1, 2025, the U-pas budget for children will be increased by €600,000 per year. This means an additional 25 to 45 euros per child to make sports and exercise more accessible. Through the U-pas, you will also be able to purchase sports equipment.

We bring sports closer to home, for example through school swimming, exercise activities at school and in the neighborhood. Collaboration with welfare professionals is also involved. Starting September 2025, a new swimming lesson concept will also be launched to encourage children to swim until diploma C and participate in swimming as a sport. This ensures better swimming safety among all Utrecht children. We also employ role models who inspire young people and make sports visible in their daily lives.

Vital sports providers
A sporty city needs strong clubs and initiatives. Utrecht helps sports providers grow and collaborate. We connect clubs through meetings in sports parks and allow space for new forms of sports, such as urban sports and neighborhood initiatives.

We help providers solve bottlenecks and better align their offerings with the needs of residents. Additionally, we continue to work on a socially safe and positive sports culture, among other things through the Action Plan for Socially Safe Sports.

Smart use of space
In a crowded city, creatively using space is important. We look at whether sports facilities can be rented more flexibly and encourage dual use of fields. At sports park Nieuw-Welgelegen, additional space for sports will be created. Furthermore, we ensure a better distribution of matches over the weekend. Also, with new area developments, we ensure sufficient sports facilities from the start, such as in the development of Rijnenburg.

A new program every two years
Utrecht creates a new implementation program every two years to respond to what the city needs. The next version will be released in 2027. In total, there will be four programs within the duration of the policy document Sports and Exercise 2025–2032. In 2026, an additional program on housing for sports until 2040 will follow.

Read the full Implementation Program Sports and Exercise 2025–2026 at utrecht.nl.