Omnisport Apeldoorn

Omnisport in Apeldoorn, the venue of the 2025 European Indoor Athletics Championships, has undergone a huge metamorphosis with a completely renovated track. This upgrade of the track meets the highest international standards and offers a perfect surface for the performances of the European top athletes who will compete for the European indoor titles from March 6 to 9.

The renovation was realized in close cooperation with Libéma, the municipality of Apeldoorn and all parties involved. They are proudly looking forward to the European Indoor Athletics Championships. Event director Dafne Schippers is very enthusiastic: “It is great to see that Omnisport Apeldoorn is completely ready for the 2025 European Indoor Championships. The new track, completely in European Championships style, offers athletes the opportunity to get the most out of themselves.”

Time for renewal
The upcoming European Indoor Athletics Championships were an important reason to renew the track and adapt it to the latest athletics regulations. The layout has also been optimized to better meet up to the needs of athletes and organizers.

Details of the ‘retopping’
Instead of a complete renovation of the track, we have chosen for a retopping: a new top layer over the existing track. A striking change in the layout is the merging of the runways for both the triple jump and long jump into one joint runway, which has created extra space for pole vaulting.

Performance and appearance
The renovated track not only looks great aesthetically but also fully complies with international requirements. Whether the track is actually faster will become clear during the European Championships, but expectations are high. The lines and colours fit seamlessly with the corporate identity of this European Championship and enhance the unique appearance of the floor.

Olympic Training Centre Papendal

During the European Athletics Indoor Championships 2025 in Apeldoorn ​Olympic Trainingcentre Papendal is the official training venue for all athletes in preparation for the event. Olympic Training Centre Papendal is not accessible for media during the event.

Sports Center Papendal is the largest top sports training center in ​the Netherlands. Nowadays, over 500 top athletes use top facilities every day. Papendal has been used as a training location ​for top sports since the 1970s.​ The Dutch Athletics Federation is located at the sportcentre. ​

Facilities
Papendal has two strength training rooms, an athletics hall (shot put, high jump, pole vault)​ and a 130m long sprint hall, including long jump and triple jump (with only 9m approach).​

The European Athletics Indoor Championships

The European Athletics Indoor Championships Apeldoorn 2025 will be the 37^th edition of the event. Apeldoorn will play host for the first time and we are very excited, especially after the very successful European Athletics Championships in Amsterdam in 2016. The allocation of this tournament is a wonderful recognition of the performance level of athletics in the Netherlands. 

“We are extremely delighted and proud to welcome the European Indoor Athletics Championships in 2025 (EICH2025)! How cool is it to organize such an event in our own country, with and for TeamNL athletes. It will undoubtedly be a challenging task, but we definitely have the ambition to create an event that is surprising and spectacular for athletes, spectators, and the media, making a real difference in the sport,” said Pieke de Zwart, General Director of the Dutch Athletics Federation.  

Apeldoorn will see over 700 athletes from 50 nations take to the tracks at the Omnisport Arena for seven sessions  of action from 6^th – 9^th March 2025. The anticipated number of spectators in Omnisport is around 27.500.  

Moving People

The ambition is to create an unforgettable and inspiring event under the motto ‘Moving People’ and to further position athletics among both young people and the elderly.

‘Getting people moving’ is what we strive for with the European Athletics Indoor Championships 2025. People are touched by the wonderful characteristics of athletics, the mother of all sports: being dynamic, getting the best out of yourself and performing in a team.”

Ceremonies & Medals

Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony of the European Athletics Indoor Championships Apeldoorn 2025 takes place on 6 March at 17:30 at the Omnisport Stadium.

Medal Ceremonies

All Medal Ceremonies will take place at the venue, located at the infield track of the Omnisport Stadium. The head-on photo platform will be available for photographers (first-come first-serve basis). Details will be provided during the Photo Briefing on 6 March.

Medals 

With exactly one month to go until the start of the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn, the local organizing committee (LOC) unveiled the medals for the event.

The first medals will be won in the Omnisport stadium directly on day one of competition. On the opening night, Team NED looks to defend their Olympic title in the mixed 4x400m relay. For the very first time at a European Athletics Indoor Championship the 4×4 mixed relay is scheduled into the competition.

Medals will be won in 27 event disciplines.

The medals for the championships are 90 millimetres in diameter and feature the iconic ovals of the Omnisport venue, the official logo for the championships in the centre and stylised athletics track around the perimeter of the medals.

The medals represent the slogan of Apeldoorn 2025 ‘moving people’: “you did it. By moving yourself, you’ve moved people. You have encouraged people to come and visit our thrilling venue Omnisport, you shared with them a part of your journey and your success. You gave them memories they will cherish for a lifetime.”

Official Mascot 

The mascot of the European Athletics Indoor Championhsips is a naughty and very active monkey called Champ. Champ is inspired by the ‘Apenheul’: a green nature park is located in Apeldoorn and is the home to around 35 species of monkeys! More than half of the 300 monkeys roam freely among the visitors. Ofcourse Champ is really active and can even perform some athletics events! In the months before the European Athletics Indoor Championships take place, schools, track and field clubs or community centers can submit their activity to promote the event and get a chance to win a visit from mascot Champ.

About Apeldoorn & The Netherlands

The Netherlands, often referred to as “Holland,” is a small but vibrant country in Western Europe known for its rich history, picturesque landscapes, and innovative culture. The country is famous for its tulip fields, windmills, and bike-friendly cities, offering a unique mix of traditional charm and modernity. With Amsterdam as its capital, the Netherlands boasts an extensive network of canals, world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, and a forward-thinking approach to sustainability and urban living. English is widely spoken, making international visitors feel right at home.

Apeldoorn, located in the heart of the country, is a city celebrated for its green surroundings and welcoming atmosphere. Situated on the edge of the Veluwe, a stunning national park, Apeldoorn is a hub for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The city combines a relaxed, small-town vibe with modern amenities and cultural attractions, making it an ideal destination for visitors seeking both tranquility and excitement.

Visitor Information

Ten Things to Know About the Netherlands:

1. Bicycles everywhere: There are more bicycles than people in the Netherlands, and cycling is the preferred mode of transport for many.
2. Tulips and flowers: The country is famous for its colorful tulip fields, especially in spring.
3. Flat landscape: The Netherlands is remarkably flat, with a significant portion of the country below sea level, protected by an impressive system of dikes and dams.
4. Cultural heritage: Dutch painters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh have had a profound impact on the art world.
5. King’s Day: Celebrated on April 27, this national holiday honors the Dutch King with street parties and festivities.
6. Cheese paradise: The Netherlands is renowned for its cheese, including Gouda, Edam, and Maasdam.
7. Language: While Dutch is the official language, the majority of people speak fluent English.
8. Windmills: A symbol of Dutch engineering; historic windmills can be visited throughout the country.
9. Delicious snacks: Try local treats like stroopwafels, bitterballen, and herring.
10. Efficient transport: The Netherlands has an excellent public transport system, making it easy to get around.

City of Apeldoorn

Apeldoorn is a gem in the center of the Netherlands, offering visitors a perfect blend of nature, culture, and history. As the largest city in the Veluwe region, Apeldoorn serves as the gateway to one of the country’s most beautiful national parks, where you can enjoy hiking, cycling, and wildlife spotting.

Highlights of Apeldoorn include:

• Paleis Het Loo: This former royal palace is now a museum showcasing the history of the Dutch royal family and features beautiful gardens to explore.
• Apenheul Primate Park: A unique zoo where monkeys roam freely and interact with visitors.
• Omnisport Apeldoorn: A state-of-the-art sports venue hosting national and international events, including athletics and cycling competitions. It’s a must-visit spot for sports enthusiasts.
• Sporting activities: Apeldoorn offers numerous opportunities for sports and recreation, including running routes, cycling paths, and outdoor activities in the Veluwe.
• Culture & Arts: Apeldoorn hosts theaters, galleries, and cultural festivals throughout the year.
• Local markets: Visit weekly markets to enjoy fresh produce and Dutch delicacies.
• Sustainable living: The city has embraced sustainable initiatives, from green energy to extensive bike lanes.

Whether you come for the charming city life, historical landmarks, sporting activities, or access to breathtaking nature, Apeldoorn has something for everyone.