Anna 
Youth football clubs across the Netherlands are facing mounting challenges as overcrowding forces thousands of children onto waiting lists. The issue is especially severe in rapidly growing cities, where clubs lack the space and resources to accommodate new players. The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) is urging municipalities to integrate sports facilities into urban planning to prevent further strain on local clubs.
In Waddinxveen, a town that has grown from 26,000 to 35,000 residents in just eight years, clubs are reaching their limits. CVV Be Fair, one of the town’s two football clubs, is struggling with capacity issues. “We are already stretched beyond our limits,” said board member Cees van Hoven. “Even with eight fields, we need at least ten to meet regulations, and that still won’t be enough in a few years.”
This problem extends nationwide. According to new figures from the KNVB, over a quarter of all amateur football clubs in the Netherlands have waiting lists. Another 17 percent expect to reach capacity within the next five years. The primary causes include a shortage of playing fields, a lack of locker room facilities, and a decline in volunteers.
Children are the most affected, with 87 percent of waitlisted players being youth members. Waiting times vary from six months to 2.5 years, and in some cases, spots never open up.
Eindhoven Faces One of the Worst Shortages
The crisis is particularly severe in Eindhoven, where 1,500 children are waiting for spots in football clubs. At VV Acht, a club near the city, the waitlist system has been in place for years. “Each year, we accept a limited number of 5-year-olds,” said chairman John van Kemenade. “This year, we are taking numbers one through fifteen from our 2020 list. If you’re number 17 or higher, your chances are slim.”
With few players dropping out, some parents register their children immediately after birth. “It sounds extreme, but it works,” Van Kemenade admitted.
In response, Eindhoven’s city council is working with local clubs to find solutions. “When we asked what they needed most, the answer was unanimous: more artificial turf fields,” said Maes van Lanschot, the city’s sports alderman.
Artificial turf fields allow three times more playing time than natural grass. However, space constraints and high costs make expansion difficult. “One artificial turf field costs around 1 million euros,” Van Lanschot said. “Municipalities must finance this, which is tough given budget limitations.”
Despite financial challenges, Eindhoven plans to convert eight grass fields into artificial turf over the next two years. This will increase the number of artificial fields to nearly half of the city’s 48 total fields. Each new field can accommodate around 200 additional children, helping to reduce waitlists.
Finding More Efficient Solutions
While expanding infrastructure is important, Van Lanschot believes clubs must rethink how they use their existing resources. “Does every match really need to be played on Saturday?” he asked. “Other sports schedule games throughout the day—why not football? Clubs also ask for more locker rooms, yet they reserve space for massage rooms, boardrooms, and referee lounges. Couldn’t these areas be used more efficiently?”
The KNVB acknowledges that clubs and the association itself must contribute to solutions. Adjusting match schedules and optimizing facilities could help manage player capacity, but long-term planning is crucial.
The KNVB, alongside sports federation NOC*NSF and other stakeholders, is pushing for structural changes in urban planning. One key proposal is ensuring that new residential developments include sports facilities. “A neighborhood is more than just stacking bricks,” said Jan Dirk van der Zee, director of amateur football at KNVB. “A football club brings a community to life.”
In Waddinxveen, Van Hoven believes the town failed to anticipate the demand for sports facilities. “The municipality planned for population growth, but not for the space needed for sports,” he said. “We’ve already taken in young children who will soon need full-size fields, but we don’t have room for them. If action isn’t taken soon, this problem will only get worse.”
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