Royal setting, European focus: Apeldoorn launches road to 2027

Apeldoorn has officially kicked off the journey to the 2027 European Judo Championships with a statement venue and a clear message. The European Judo Union, the Dutch Judo Federation, the local organising committee and representatives of the Province of Gelderland came together at the royal stables of Palace Het Loo for a high-profile press conference. It opened in English before switching to Dutch, reflecting both the international dimension of the event and the pride of the hosts.

European Judo Championships 2027 aim to be bigger than just the medal table.

The historic palace stables, once used by the Dutch royal family, framed the announcement with a mix of heritage and ambition. EJU President Dr Tóth László underlined that the 2027 tournament is meant to be more than a standard championship, stressing unity, friendship and the power of judo to impact lives. Apeldoorn will host the 76th edition of the continental flagship, continuing a story that started in Paris in 1951.

The Netherlands holds a special place in that story. The country has already hosted the European Championships six times, including editions in Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Voorburg, Kerkrade and The Hague, and has organised three European Team Championships. In the all-time medal table, the Dutch stand second with 105 European golds, confirming their status as one of Europe’s judo powerhouses.

The 2027 event in Apeldoorn will feature only individual contests, with team competitions taking place separately. This structure, already in use in the current cycle, is designed to reduce pressure on athletes and to create focused, high-quality events within the Olympic qualification pathway. For Europe’s elite judoka, that means Apeldoorn will be a crucial stop where European titles and Olympic dreams come together.

True to the EJU motto “Judo – More Than Sport”, the organisers plan a wide-ranging programme beyond the tatami. A Judo Festival with a Kids Camp is set to bring hundreds of young judoka from across Europe together, complemented by Adapted Judo activities and community projects throughout Gelderland. The press conference also highlighted the close cooperation between EJU and the Dutch federation, including an invitation for Dutch representation in the EJU Board of Advisors. With strong backing from regional authorities and national Olympic structures, preparations are on schedule for a European judo showcase in a royal environment.

Source: EJU_News