Belgium and the Netherlands are co-hosting the Hockey World Cup 2026, welcoming the best men’s and women’s field hockey teams in the world to two European hockey bastions. The tournament will be played from 15 August to 29 August 2026, with matches being played at two main venues in Wavre, Belgium and Amstelveen, the Netherlands.
For supporters following the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, the venues are much more than a location on a fixture list. Both cities have deep hockey roots, modern facilities and established ties to the game, making them natural choices for one of international hockey’s marquee events.
While the Hockey World Cup celebrates international field hockey, ice hockey has its own prestigious championship. Explore the Stanley Cup Playoffs to learn about their format, history and memorable moments.
Where is the Hockey World Cup 2026 being held?
The 2026 World Cup is a joint Belgium-Netherlands tournament. Unlike a World Cup spread across numerous cities, the competition has been concentrated around two main stadiums. The two tournament venues are:
- Belfius Hockey Arena – Wavre, Belgium
- Wagener Hockey Stadium – Amstelveen, Netherlands
Wavre, Belgium: Home of the Belfius Hockey Arena
Wavre is one of the two host cities for the Hockey World Cup 2026. The city is located in Wallonia, southeast of Brussels, making it relatively accessible for international visitors arriving through the Belgian capital.
Why Wavre is an important hockey location
Belgium has been one of the strongest nations in international men’s hockey for the last decade. The Belgian men’s team won the 2018 World Cup and then took Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2021. So Belgian hockey fans get to see some of the world’s leading teams by having World Cup games hosted in Belgium, and Belgium continues to build on its strong international hockey reputation.
Amstelveen, Netherlands: Home of the Wagener Stadium
The second host city is Amstelveen, a municipality immediately south of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Amstelveen is closely associated with Dutch hockey and is home to the Wagener Hockey Stadium, one of the most recognizable hockey venues in the country.
The stadium is located in the Amsterdamse Bos, a large recreation area on the southern edge of Amsterdam. It is situated in a very fan-friendly way for people staying in Amsterdam and also in a dedicated hockey environment.
Wagener Hockey Stadium
Wagener Stadium has a long history of international hockey. It has hosted big tournaments and important games involving the Netherlands, one of the most successful countries in the history of the sport. The stadium has also hosted major FIH events, so the 2026 World Cup is another big one on its international resume.
One of the biggest advantages of the venue is its location for visitors. This way, fans can stay in Amsterdam and just travel to Amstelveen for matches, instead of needing accommodation in another tournament city.
How far are the host cities from major airports?
Both host locations have good international transport links.
Amstelveen: Located close to the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, one of Europe’s largest international aviation hubs. That makes the Dutch venue especially accessible for fans overseas.
Wavre is close enough to Brussels and well served by Belgium’s extensive rail and road networks. Brussels can be the main gateway for international visitors before proceeding to Wavre.
What can fans do in Amstelveen?
It’s a more peaceful place than central Amsterdam but you are still close to the Dutch capital. A World Cup match can be combined with a trip to Amsterdam which has museums, canals, historic neighborhoods and cultural sites. Recreational space close to the Wagener Stadium is also provided by the surrounding Amsterdamse Bos.
If you are attending multiple games, staying in or around Amsterdam can therefore allow you easy access to hockey and a lot of options outside of the tournament.
What can fans do in Wavre?
Wavre offers access to the central region of Belgium and is close enough to Brussels for visitors who wish to explore the capital. Brussels has attractions such as the Grand Place, museums, and historic architecture. Wavre is famous for its town center and the surrounding Walloon countryside.
Fans traveling for the World Cup can therefore combine the hockey tournament with a broader Belgian trip.
What fans should know before visiting the venues
Fans traveling to the World Cup should check official tournament information before attending a match as entry rules, security procedures, transport arrangements and allowed items can differ.
Also worth checking carefully the location of the match. The two host cities are near each other by European standards but in different countries, so fans who go to matches on successive days will need to take account of the time it takes to travel internationally.
It is also worth booking accommodation early, especially at big games involving the Netherlands, Belgium, India, Australia, England and the other major hockey nations.
Hockey fans interested in exploring other formats of the sport can also visit our National Hockey League (NHL) section, featuring professional ice hockey coverage, tournament guides, and related insights.
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