Special Olympics 2026 in Haarlem: How 1,500 volunteers and 23 sports will create an unforgettable experience
From June 12-14, 2026, Haarlem will host the Special Olympics National Games, bringing together athletes with intellectual disabilities for a weekend of sports, celebration, and community. With 1,900 beds, 23 sports, and 20,000 meals, the event promises to be a landmark occasion for inclusivity and local engagement in North Holland.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Special Olympics National Games 2026 |
| Location | Haarlem, Haarlemmermeer, and Zandvoort (North Holland) |
| Dates | June 12-14, 2026 |
| Project Directors | Niels Cannegieter and Esther van Vliet |
| Number of Sports | 23 |
| Number of Sports Clubs Involved | 26 |
| Total Athlete Beds | 1,900 (across four Special Olympics Villages) |
| Meals to be Served | Approximately 20,000 over the weekend |
| Volunteers Needed | 1,500 |
| Spectators at Opening Ceremony | 6,000 to 7,000 (at converted ice rink arena) |
| Transport Challenge | 23 venues, 4 holiday parks, and central hub at Haarlem ice rink |
| Legacy Projects | Donation of bocce courts to SportSupport, integration with able-bodied sports |
| Province Involvement | North Holland (sponsor) |
The Province of North Holland plays a key role in promoting inclusivity and accessibility in sports by sponsoring events like the Special Olympics National Games. It supports initiatives that ensure everyone, regardless of ability, can participate in and benefit from sporting activities, fostering community engagement and social cohesion.
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Road to Special Olympics: “An edition without an Olympic Village would be beneath us—it’s part of the experience”
Publication date: March 16, 2026
Last modified: March 17, 2026
As we approach the Special Olympics National Games 2026, the provincial website will feature a series of interviews. Today’s focus: Niels Cannegieter, Project Director of the Special Olympics National Games Haarlem 2026.
Alongside Esther van Vliet, the other project director, Niels oversees nearly every detail: athlete accommodations, transport from sleeping quarters to venues, the opening ceremony, and—crucially—the catering. “That’s roughly 20,000 meals in a single weekend.”
They already have extensive experience organizing national sporting events. Before the pandemic, their sports event agency handled European and World Championships across multiple disciplines. “During COVID, all our events were canceled—nothing went ahead. That’s when we pivoted to family festivals and other gatherings. Then, in 2018, Special Olympics crossed our path in the Achterhoek. It was incredible: the atmosphere, the athletes, the joy. We wanted to do it again. So in 2021, we took on the sports management for the Special Olympics National Games 2024 in Breda and Tilburg. When no city stepped forward to host the next edition, we flipped the script. We approached multiple municipalities, emphasizing our expertise in organizing these Games, and ultimately teamed up with Haarlem to submit a proposal to Special Olympics Netherlands. The rest, as they say, is (almost) history.”
A celebration at every location
They’re bringing lessons from the Achterhoek and Breda/Tilburg to Haarlem, Haarlemmermeer, and Zandvoort. “This year, we’re offering even better catering—both in quality and quantity. Everyone should have enough to eat; sports makes people hungry. Every venue should feel like a party, so we’ve allocated more of the budget for that. We’re also cutting some things. After the opening ceremony, buses won’t shuttle athletes to holiday parks—the experience shows people prefer to return on their own. We asked ourselves: what makes the real difference? For example, the €20,000 spent on 20 empty buses shuttling back and forth in Tilburg is now going toward catering. We’ve also shortened wait times for athletes at the opening ceremony. Previously, they might wait hours for the parade; now, with smart planning and a shared meal beforehand, we’re aiming for no more than 45 minutes of waiting before the athlete parade—and they’ll have eaten in the meantime.”
Ice rink transformed into parade arena
The athlete parade is one of the weekend’s highlights. Haarlem’s ice rink will be converted into an arena, with extra stands expected to accommodate 6,000 to 7,000 spectators. Athletes will take a victory lap through cheering crowds, grouped by province. For the participants, this event is every bit as significant as the Olympic and Paralympic Games—and Niels is acutely aware of that. “Nothing is left to chance. In just a year and a half, we’ve built this event from the ground up, relying on about 1,500 volunteers, 23 sports, and 26 sports clubs. During the Special Olympics National Games, athletes can stay at one of four Special Olympics Villages in the region—1,900 beds in total, for athletes and their guides. Haarlem’s original bid didn’t include overnight accommodations, but that’s not how we do things. A National Games without a Special Olympics Village? That’s beneath us. The Village is a major expense; we ask athletes for a small contribution, but it doesn’t cover costs.”
After solving the accommodation challenge, the next hurdle was transport. “With 23 venues, four holiday parks, and the ice rink as the central hub, we needed a reliable partner to shuttle everyone by bus. Some athletes will use their own transport, but everyone must arrive on time. The goal: no more than 20 minutes from sleeping quarters to their venue.”
Putting G-sports on the map—even after the Games
The legacy of the Special Olympics will extend beyond the event itself. “This Games has multiple layers and goals. It showcases athletes with (multiple) intellectual disabilities, but it also introduces local clubs to G-sport offerings. For example, we’ve applied to the Schiphol Fund for four bocce courts, which we’ll later donate to SportSupport so athletes around Haarlem can keep playing. We’re also bridging the gap with able-bodied sports. During the Special Olympics weekend, Zandvoort’s Circuit Park will host a triathlon and running event, with able-bodied triathletes and runners participating. There’s also the Eredivisie Beach Volleyball in Zandvoort, where our athletes will take part in an exhibition match.”
The Special Olympics National Games will take place from June 12 to 14, 2026, in North Holland. The province is a sponsor because it’s vital that everyone—regardless of ability—can participate in sports.
The Special Olympics organization is still looking for volunteers. Want to get involved? Email
Also read the interviews with participants Lucas Matthes and Hans van der Straaten of Koninklijke HFC, who are organizing the football tournament.
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