SPAR Netherlands will remain the main sponsor of the national athletics competition in 2026. By continuing this sponsorship, SPAR Netherlands and the Dutch Athletics Federation reaffirm their commitment to promoting sport and vitality throughout the country. The partnership highlights the vital role local sports clubs play in communities, closely reflecting SPAR Netherlands’ mission and values.

This extended partnership builds on a successful season in which clubs, athletes, and volunteers have once again demonstrated how vital the club competition is for Dutch athletics.

Looking back on a strong 2025 season

In 2025, 109 league matches took place within the SPAR League. Thanks to the widespread commitment of organising clubs, officials, judges, and volunteers, as well as the support of SPAR Netherlands as the main sponsor, the season has grown into a sporting highlight.

Important changes for 2026

With the publication of the new competition regulations for 2026 and 2027, a number of changes are being introduced. The biggest changes are taking place within the senior competition:

• Men’s and women’s teams will be merged into a single senior category.
• At the Dutch Team Championships, 12 teams will compete for the national title (13 on a one-off basis in 2026).
• The classic 4 x 400-meter relay will be replaced by the spectacular 4 x 400-metre mixed relay.
• The track allocation for the Dutch Championships Teams will now be based on performance, rather than by draw.

With SPAR Netherlands once again as the main sponsor and a revamped format for the seniors, the competition is set for a fresh and dynamic edition in 2026. Together with the Dutch Athletics Federation, SPAR Netherlands remains committed to keeping the competition accessible, inspiring, and future-proof. It promises to be another season full of sporting highlights.

This sponsorship builds on SPAR Netherlands’ inclusion in the international sponsorship of European Athletics which is celebrating the milestone of 30 years of partnership this year. Many of the athletes competing in the Dutch Athletics competitions are seen in European events, also benefiting from the SPAR brand involvement.

Source: SPAR Netherlands

Read more about SPAR Netherlands.

About SPAR Netherlands

The SPAR brand was founded in the Netherlands in 1932 by the Dutch wholesaler Adriaan van Well. It was established as a voluntary chain of grocers under the name DESPAR – an acronym of a slogan created by van Well to describe the organisation: Door Eendrachtig Samenwerken Profiteren Allen Regelmatig. SPAR Netherlands’ main distribution centre supports licensed independent retailers operating throughout the country.