Utrecht, 23 August 2024 - Today, Friday 23 August 2024, the interim relief judge of the Utrecht District Court ruled on the objection of Royal Jaarbeurs and Stage Entertainment against the open-air pop concerts from 11 to 15 September 2024 during 'Zomerstadion Live!' on the Jaarbeursplein, organised by Sportworx International. This year, this music event has been added to the already existing sports event 'Zomerstadion 2024'.
Jeroen van Hooff, CEO Royal Jaarbeurs: "Stage Entertainment and Jaarbeurs have jointly objected to the outdoor pop concerts during 'Summer Stadium Live!' on the Jaarbeursplein, organised by Sportworx International. This music event was added this year to the already existing sports event 'Summer Stadium 2024'. First of all, I would like to stress that we support sports and health activities on the Jaarbeursplein and have no objections to them. We do expect organisers and the municipality of Utrecht to take into account already planned activities in the Beatrix Building and the Beatrix Theatre. When the permit for the pop concerts added to the sporting event on the Jaarbeursplein was granted, this was unfortunately by no means the case."
Last Monday, 19 August 2024, the administrative judge ruled that the event licence issued by the municipality of Utrecht to Sportworx should not apply for the entire period and the licensed noise standards on three evenings should be adjusted downwards. This was to allow performances of Moulin Rouge! The Musical at the Beatrix Theatre. Following the ruling, Sportworx has indicated that it is lowering the noise level on 8 September 2024 during 'Queen & King of the Court' and cancelling the pop concerts on Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 September 2024. "The civil court has followed the line of the administrative judge with the result that the remaining three pop concerts will be allowed to take place. In any case, the main point is that the careless weighing up of interests by the municipality in granting the permit on 9 August 2024 has led to a lot of misunderstanding and confusion at both Stage Entertainment and Jaarbeurs," Jeroen van Hooff said.
