A look behind the scenes of the organization that ensures clean, safe and accessible sports facilities for every Rotterdam resident.
In the city’s mission to become a healthier, more active place, Sportbedrijf Rotterdam plays a vital, but often invisible, role. They offered a closer look at the organization’s work. What began as a municipal transformation in 2018 has grown into a dynamic company with over 350 employees, responsible for managing more than 220 sports facilities across the city. Its mission is clear: to get every Rotterdamer moving, and keep them moving.
Sportbedrijf Rotterdam highlighted how that mission is realized every single day. Sportbedrijf Rotterdam guarantees that all public sports locations are clean, safe and accessible: from swimming pools and indoor sports halls to football pitches and tennis courts. These facilities are deliberately spread across the city, ensuring that no resident has to travel more than 500 meters to access a place to be active. This accessibility is crucial, especially in neighborhoods where participation in sports is not a given. While the municipality owns the facilities and sets policy targets, Sportbedrijf Rotterdam is the organization that brings it all to life, operating with both public values and business-like efficiency.
The organization has a unique structure. It is divided into a main operations company that manages daily facility use and a separate entity responsible for physical investments and long-term infrastructure projects. This model enables strategic development, fast decision-making and effective use of funds. Every year, the company handles a budget of approximately €80 million, €60 million of which comes from municipal funding. The remaining €20 million is generated through entrance fees and facility rentals. The success of this financial structure is evident: instead of returning profits to the city, any annual surplus is reinvested into sport-related initiatives. Only a modest dividend is paid to the municipality.
Beyond buildings and budgets, Sportbedrijf Rotterdam is increasingly focused on tackling broader societal issues. Physical inactivity is on the rise and so are obesity rates. The organization sees this not as a distant trend, but as an urgent local concern. That’s why it invests not only in concrete and turf, but also in people. More than 40 staff members are dedicated to promoting physical activity among Rotterdam’s youth. Programs begin as early as preschool and continue through primary and secondary school. In primary education, children are introduced to different sports in two-week modules. In secondary schools, the innovative “SwapGym” program allows children to exchange traditional PE classes for sport sessions at local facilities.
One of the most strategic tools in the organization’s toolbox is a program that maps out the supply and demand for sports in each city district, using demographic data and social marketing principles. By conducting qualitative research into the barriers and motivators behind sports participation, Sportbedrijf Rotterdam is able to develop highly localized and relevant interventions. These insights inform support for grassroots organizations, which receive coaching, data, promotional support and in some cases, funding. Each of the city’s 14 districts has access to a dedicated budget of € 20.000,- to support local initiatives.
“...instead of returning profits to the city, any annual surplus is reinvested into sport-related initiatives.”
This locally rooted approach requires strong collaboration with partners like Rotterdam Sportsupport, which focuses more on volunteer-led sports clubs. While the two organizations occasionally overlap in activities, their cooperation is essential for offering a full spectrum of support; from facility management to community engagement. Sportbedrijf Rotterdam also works closely with Rotterdam Topsport, particularly when organizing side events for major sports tournaments. This integration ensures that high-profile events leave a lasting impact at the neighborhood level.
In addition to managing indoor and outdoor sports locations, Sportbedrijf Rotterdam operates ten swimming pools. Eight indoor and two outdoor pools with around 150 person staff. Another five pools are run by other organizations due to legacy arrangements. The pools are vital not just for recreation, but also for water safety and public health. Without municipal support, a single swim would cost around € 20,-, instead of the current price of € 5,-. This underscores the importance of public investment in accessible sports facilities.
Outdoor sports complexes are another cornerstone of the organization’s portfolio. Across 82 locations, more than 200 fields are maintained for football, hockey, baseball, tennis and other sports. The increasing use of artificial turf has significantly boosted capacity, with one field now able to host two to three times more activity than natural grass. A notable example is the Willem Alexander course, developed specifically for rowing and endurance sports, demonstrating the city’s commitment to supporting niche disciplines alongside mainstream ones.
What became especially clear during this visit is that Sportbedrijf Rotterdam is much more than a facility manager. It is a public company driven by social value, working hand-in-hand with the municipality but operating with the agility of a business. Together with the city, it defines performance targets and strategic objectives. In this collaboration, sport is not seen as a luxury, it is a fundamental building block of a healthy, inclusive and future-proof city.
As the session drew to a close, the delegates asked questions ranging from sustainability to youth involvement. In their responses, Sportbedrijf Rotterdam emphasized the importance of local ownership, strong partnerships and the ability to continuously adapt to a changing society. Because while the company may work with steel, concrete and artificial turf, the real material it shapes is people.
Sportbedrijf Rotterdam proves that well-organized sport infrastructure is about more than managing buildings. It is about enabling movement, fostering connection and creating space for everyone to grow; physically, mentally and socially. In doing so, the organization lays the foundation for a city that truly lives and breathes sport.
Marijn Eggen manager relationships @ Sportbedrijf Rotterdam