Utrecht, 24 October 2025 - From 18 December 2025 to 2 January 2026, Royal Jaarbeurs will be the setting for Europe's largest indoor pickleball venue. With 16 professional courts and four virtual courts, this temporary sports venue offers plenty of playing space for both recreational and competitive players. Pickleball, a mix of tennis, badminton and table tennis, is the fastest-growing racquet sport worldwide, is rapidly conquering Europe and has a chance of winning a place in the Olympic Games.
Pickleball connects Utrecht
At the temporary pickleball venue in Jaarbeurs, sport and society come together. Through activations with Utrecht sports associations, Sportfonds Utrecht and social partners such as KWF, the Veterans Institute, the Brain Foundation and the Prinses Máxima Centre, sport is given a social dimension. Herman Mantel, CCO of Royal Jaarbeurs: "After an energetic padel summer last year, with pickleball we are taking the next step in connecting people through sport. This winter experience in Jaarbeurs not only provides space for playing fun, but also for meeting and social engagement."
More than a sport
Jeroen Winters, co-initiator and CTO of Eagledale, supplier of the pop-up pickleball venue: "Pickleball is a sport that connects, inspires and, above all, is incredibly fun." Co-initiator Martijn van der Ven of OWN Esim: "Pickleball is more than a sport, it is a community. We are proud to contribute as a partner to the largest pop-up pickleball venue in Europe, where everyone can get acquainted with this dynamic and above all fun sport."
The pop-up pickleball venue is an initiative of Jaarbeurs, Eagledale, OWN esim and the Pickleball Federation Europe and is co-sponsored by Majesty International and SKECHERS USA BENELUX, the global leader in pickleball shoes and apparel.
