HAPPENING 17–25 October 2026 | Rotterdam will host the 54th edition of the FIG world artistic gymnastics championships in October 2026. The event marks the city's third time welcoming the international competition.

Rotterdam confirmed as host of 2026 world gymnastics championships

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has announced that Rotterdam will host the 54th FIG world artistic gymnastics championships from 17 to 25 October 2026. The announcement marks the return of the global competition to the city for the first time since 2010, and the third time overall after previous editions in 1987 and 2010.

Scheduled as part of the qualification pathway for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, the 2026 edition is expected to feature around 500 gymnasts from more than 80 countries. Over nine days of competition, athletes will compete in both team and individual events in men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics.

Rotterdam Ahoy to serve as central venue

All competition and training sessions will take place at Rotterdam Ahoy. The venue, known for its multifunctional capacity and central location in the city, previously hosted the 2010 edition of the championships and more recently staged international events such as the Eurovision Song Contest. With a seating capacity of 15,000, the arena will accommodate both local fans and international spectators.

Leadership and local representation

Olympic horizontal-bar champion Epke Zonderland has been appointed Tournament Director. As a prominent figure in Dutch sport, his involvement adds a level of athlete-focused insight to the organising committee. The event is being coordinated by Dutch Gymnastics (KNGU), the City of Rotterdam, and Rotterdam Ahoy.

Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb remarked, “Rotterdam 2026 will be a celebration of artistry, athleticism and our city’s maritime spirit. We look forward to welcoming the world once again.” Zonderland added that the organisers aim to inspire younger generations while ensuring a strong focus on the athlete experience.

Sustainability and education initiatives

The local organising committee is aligning the event with FIG’s environmental charter. Measures include carbon-neutral operations at Rotterdam Ahoy, incentives for spectators to use public transport, and a city-wide schools programme promoting physical activity and literacy in sport.

Overview of the event

The 2026 world artistic gymnastics championships will take place from 17 to 25 October. The event will feature men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics disciplines and will serve as a qualifier for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Rotterdam Ahoy will serve as the sole venue for all competition and training activities.

Getting to Rotterdam Ahoy

Rotterdam Ahoy is situated in the Charlois district in the southern part of the city. It is easily accessible by metro, with Zuidplein station located just next to the venue. The area is also home to shopping and dining facilities, making it a practical destination for both local and international visitors attending the championships.

HAPPENING 27–29 June and 4–6 July 2025 | Rotterdam marks fifty years of women’s emancipation with the Luxor Zomerfestival, a two-weekend event featuring music, art and performance. The festival includes yoga, spoken word, documentaries and concerts led by women from diverse backgrounds.

Luxor Zomerfestival explores 50 years of women’s emancipation

Rotterdam will commemorate fifty years of women’s emancipation with the Luxor Zomerfestival, a multidisciplinary programme running across two weekends: 27–29 June and 4–6 July. Hosted at Café Dox, the festival offers a varied line-up, including spoken word, live music, documentaries and theatre, all focusing on women's contributions to culture and society.

The programme has been curated to reflect themes such as identity, mental health, heritage and feminist perspectives, and features a combination of local and national artists and collectives. Activities range from live concerts to yoga sessions, a creative market, and a feminist late-night theatre experience.

Music and spoken word open the festival

The festival opens on Friday 27 June in collaboration with North Sea Round Town, the city edition of the well-known jazz event. The evening will begin with spoken word by Sabina Lukovic, who will present a specially written piece addressing inequality, activism and mental well-being.

The programme continues with Vivecka & Art Band Collective, who combine soul, Latin and jazz elements in a fluid musical performance. Closing the night is Las Hienas, a Rotterdam-based all-female band that blends Afro-Cuban rhythms, salsa, Caribbean sounds and jazz. The group, active since 2023, is currently working on its debut EP expected in 2026. Admission for this night follows a ‘Pay What You Can’ model.

Late-night theatre and creative markets

On Saturday 28 June, a creative market led by women will take place from 12:00 to 18:00. That evening, Elfie Tromp will host The Late Night Show, an experimental night of burlesque and music theatre. Performers include punk band Bombstrap, drag poet Ma’Ma Queen, and choreographer Connor Schumacher. The theme, “Cunt makes the world go round”, frames femininity as both a creative force and a form of poetic resistance.

Movement and music on Sunday

Sunday 29 June offers a slower pace with R&B yoga led by Nathalie Cijntje and Julia van Santbrink, followed by a Zumba session. In the afternoon, musician Tallulah Rose, alongside Deborah Slijkhuis and Chelsea Laverne, will present a reflective musical set shaped through collaborative processes.

Second weekend spotlights Caribbean heritage

The second weekend begins on Friday 4 July with an event recognising 50 years of Cape Verdean independence. Organised with Hey Sista You Got This!, the evening will feature music and storytelling celebrating Black women’s resilience and shared heritage.

Feminist theatre, documentary and self-care

Saturday 5 July continues with a daytime creative market and a feminist pop concert by Danielle Deddens, titled NORA. The evening spotlights the documentary Bubbling Baby by Sharine Rijsenburg, exploring the Caribbean-Dutch music genre of bubbling. A discussion with the filmmakers will follow.

The concert NORA returns later that evening, and visitors may also take part in an interactive session of the card game Weerwolven (Werewolves), hosted by Yanira.

A calming close to the festival

The festival concludes on Sunday 6 July with a longer R&B yoga session followed by the Selfcare APK mini – a short guided check-in session designed to help participants reflect on their mental and physical wellbeing. This final day requires advance ticket purchase.

Location and directions

All events will take place at Café Dox, part of the Nieuwe Luxor Theatre, situated at the foot of the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam’s Kop van Zuid district. The venue is easily accessible by metro, tram and water taxi. The area is known for its striking architecture and cultural institutions, making it a suitable backdrop for a festival rooted in social reflection.

HAPPENING 24 July | A film screening at Wester Paviljoen this July will cast a spotlight on Rotterdam's 1990s hardcore music scene. The collaboration between Roffa Mon Amour and Wester Paviljoen brings a local story to life, blending cinema, nostalgia and subculture.

Film screening brings Rotterdam's 90s hardcore scene to the screen

A screening of Hardcore Never Dies (2023), directed by Jim Taihuttu, has been scheduled for 24 July 2025 at Wester Paviljoen. Organised in collaboration with Roffa Mon Amour, the open-air film night will focus on a defining period in Rotterdam’s underground music history—the heyday of hardcore and gabber culture.

The film follows the story of two brothers navigating divergent life paths. Michael, a classically trained pianist, finds himself pulled into the chaotic world of his older brother Danny, a small-time drug dealer entrenched in the gabber scene. As the brothers reconnect, Michael's disciplined lifestyle begins to unravel, influenced by the fast-paced world of hardcore music, drugs, and fraternal loyalty.

Scenes in the film are set across recognisable streets and interiors in Rotterdam, with a soundtrack that mirrors the era’s signature intensity—rapid BPMs and uncompromising beats. Through these visual and audio cues, the film offers an exploration of a subculture that once defined the city’s nightlife and identity.

About the event

The screening will take place on the terrace of Wester Paviljoen, located in Rotterdam West. The venue, known for its visibility within the local community, provides a familiar and accessible location for the cinematic homage to a turbulent yet formative era in Rotterdam’s cultural evolution.

The pre-programme is scheduled to begin at 21:15, with the film starting at 21:45. The film will be screened in its original language with English subtitles.

Tickets for the screening of Hardcore Never Dies on 24 July at Wester Paviljoen are now available via the Roffa Mon Amour website. Reserve your spot here: roffamonamour.com/screenings/hardcore-never-dies.

Getting there

Wester Paviljoen, Mathenesserlaan 157

Wester Paviljoen is located at the corner of Mathenesserlaan and Nieuwe Binnenweg, easily reached via tram (lines 4, 21 and 23) and bicycle. The surrounding area features a mix of late-night eateries, bars and historic architecture typical of Rotterdam West.

HAPPENING 28–29 June 2025 | A temporary farewell experience for Squid Game will take place at RIF010 this month. The event marks the series’ final season and welcomes local fans.

Squid Game farewell event arrives in Rotterdam

Netflix has announced that Rotterdam will host a two-day event titled Squid Game: The Final Farewell on 28 and 29 June, in conjunction with the global release of the third and final season of the series. The event will be held at RIF010, where part of the space will be transformed into an immersive farewell experience.

The interactive installation will be open to visitors aged 16 and over. Entry is free of charge.

Games and memorabilia from the series

Visitors will be able to engage with several recognisable elements from the series. The popular Korean game Ddakji will be available to play, and attendees will have the opportunity to pose with life-sized replicas of the so-called pink guards. A central feature will be a large piggy bank installation, where visitors can leave farewell messages.

Additionally, selected props and costumes from the series will be on display, offering fans a closer look at the visual design that has become synonymous with Squid Game.

What to expect from season 3

The final season picks up after a failed revolt and a major betrayal. Main character Gi-hun (Player 456) finds himself in emotional and psychological turmoil. The deadly nature of the games intensifies, pushing the remaining players to their limits.

Meanwhile, the character In-ho resumes his role as the enigmatic Front Man, preparing for the arrival of the elusive VIP guests. His brother, Jun-ho, continues his investigation into the mysterious operations behind the scenes, unaware that trust may be misplaced within his own circle.

The season promises a conclusion to several character arcs, while maintaining the thematic tension and psychological stakes the series is known for.

Directions to RIF010

RIF010 is located at Steiger 2 in central Rotterdam, a short walk from Blaak station and the Markthal. The area is easily accessible via tram, metro, and bike, and offers a view of the city’s iconic waterfront. The event will run from 11:00 to 19:00 on both days.