Save the date: Congress 50 Years of Martial Arts & Municipalities

On Wednesday 27 May 2026, the Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit (the Dutch martial arts regulator) is organising a special themed congress in Amsterdam. Fifty years after the first kickboxing gala was held in the Netherlands, we are bringing the martial arts world and municipalities together in the Jaap Edenhal in Amsterdam, the venue where that historic event took place.

The programme will focus mainly on, on the one hand, people who organise martial arts events and martial arts gym owners, and on the other hand, civil servants and public officials who deal with events and martial arts gyms in their municipalities.

Promoters and municipalities have a shared interest: that good sports events take place. Even so, contact between these parties does not always run smoothly. This congress will help both promoters and municipalities to iron out the rough edges. The VA has already done a great deal of work to give both municipalities and promoters clear guidance. Among other things, the Guidance document on municipal policy for the regulation of martial arts events (Handreiking gemeentelijk beleid regulering vechtsportevenementen) was drawn up, which is now part of the policy of many municipalities. But there is always room for improvement. The more clarity the martial arts sector can provide about the quality and safety of events, the less municipalities need to ask of promoters. The better the martial arts sector has its affairs in order, the less bureaucracy there is. This day will contribute to that.

But we also want to show municipalities clearly what a positive contribution martial arts make to the community. Events give people the opportunity to take part in sport, and to enjoy sport as a spectator. A sport-minded municipality therefore encourages events. Representatives of municipalities that do so will tell their colleagues what it brings them.

Martial arts gyms also play an important role in society. Not only as a place where hundreds of thousands of people in the Netherlands work on their health, but often also as a community in their own right. As a place where people from all walks of life and all backgrounds meet. There are also gyms that play an important role in their neighbourhood. Where children from a busy household can do their homework in peace. Where trainers work with young people on behavioural problems. Where people with a disability receive specialised support. That is why the relationship between martial arts gyms and municipalities also deserves attention at this congress.

So put the date in your diary now: Wednesday 27 May 2026 from 12:00 to 16:00 in the Jaap Edenhal in Amsterdam. Keep an eye on our newsletter for the exact programme. We will also announce later how and where you can register.