The contract for the championship was officially signed on February 26, 2026, during a meeting at Paleis Het Loo. László Tóth, chairman of the European Judo Union, was present.
Top and grassroots sports
For us, the European Championships is a great opportunity to strengthen both elite and grassroots sports (sports in which everyone can participate). Omnisport Apeldoorn is the main location. Here, over 400 judokas from more than 45 countries will compete for the European titles. Also, in the run-up to the event, there are sports activities throughout the province.
A sporting highlight
We look forward to welcoming the best judokas from Europe in Apeldoorn in 2027. This event is not only a sporting highlight but also an opportunity to get our residents moving. Together with the Judo Federation, municipalities, and partners, we are setting up a social activation program.
Deputy for Sports
Part of the social program includes:
- Judo for the Future: a program that helps children build self-confidence, resilience, and enjoyment of sport.
- ZekerBewegen: an initiative to keep elderly people vital and prevent falls by learning to move and fall safely.
Mark Huizinga appointed tournament director
Olympic champion and multiple European champion Mark Huizinga is the tournament director of the European Judo Championships 2027. With his many years of elite sports experience and involvement in judo, Huizinga brings a lot of knowledge.
A beautiful tournament for athletes and fans
I am honored to take on this role. Together with our team, we will organize a beautiful tournament for athletes and fans from home and abroad. I also look forward to the social program we are developing together with the Province of Gelderland. We want to introduce as many people as possible to sport, exercise, and the values of judo.
Olympic Games 2028
The European Judo Championships 2027 counts towards qualification for the Los Angeles Olympic Games. This makes it almost certain that all top European judokas will participate. The Netherlands has previously won many prizes in European judo: Anton Geesink won no less than 21 European titles, Mark Huizinga 5, and Kim Polling 4. The European Championships return to the Netherlands for the first time since 2005.