Utrecht, 21 May 2026 - Royal Jaarbeurs and FC Utrecht today signed an agreement under which Jaarbeurs commits to Utrecht Heart of Health as a partner. As part of this, Jaarbeurs will take permanent seats at Stadion Galgenwaard, linked to the Heart of Health Lounge. The signing was done by Jeroen van Hooff, CEO of Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs and Niek Amelink, Commericeel Director of FC Utrecht.
With this cooperation, Jaarbeurs strengthens its involvement in the Utrecht region and its commitment to the theme of health as an economic and social growth engine. In this, the Heart of Health Lounge forms a central meeting point where business, government and knowledge institutions come together.
Jeroen van Hooff, CEO of Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs: "With our Zorg&- fairs and bring together thousands of professionals from healthcare, government and business every year. With this, Jaarbeurs already plays a central and connecting role and we will expand this further to the Life Science & Health sector in the coming years. In November, for instance, we will organise our first LSH Summit in Utrecht. Today, we are showing our commitment to the ambition of strengthening the Utrecht network in life science & health together with our partners in a sporty way."
In addition to Royal Jaarbeurs , participants include the City of Utrecht, Utrecht & Partners, ROM Utrecht Region, PwC and the Economic Board Utrecht, FC Utrecht Foundation, and Ondernemersvereniging Galgenwaard. Talks are ongoing with several parties to further expand the network.
Heart of innovation and meeting
From the 2026/2027 season, the Heart of Health Lounge concept will be fully activated. A substantive programme will then be organised around all FC Utrecht home matches in the Eredivisie, with a central opening prior to the match. Depending on the match schedule, this will consist of a joint lunch or drinks setting, where meeting and content come together.
Jeroen van Hooff: "I like the lounge to be a platform where relationships are strengthened, knowledge is shared and new collaborations arise in a relaxed, sporting environment. We are happy to contribute to that."
