Sportoase

What Sportoase does

Sportoase (Groep Sportoase NV), founded in 2005 and headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, is a multi-location operator of sports and recreation facilities running 20 owned sites across Belgium's Flanders and Wallonia regions. Each location offers an integrated mix of aquatic facilities (recreational, instruction and competition pools, water slides, wellness zones with hammam, jacuzzi, steam rooms), fitness/health clubs equipped with Technogym, group exercise programming (~540 weekly hours across the network), ice rinks (notably at Groot Schijn, Antwerpen), climbing walls, scuba diving, and children's swimming school serving 9,500 children weekly. The flagship Sportoase Groot Schijn, opened October 2021 in Antwerpen, is positioned as Belgium's largest and most modern sports complex.

The underlying technology stack centers on a proprietary AIR ventilation system co-developed with ENGIE Solutions Belgium, providing 100% fresh outside air every 7 minutes in sports spaces with F9-type filters (99.8% bacterial filter efficiency), continuous CO2/humidity/temperature/Particulate Matter monitoring, and a color-coded Health Barometer (green/orange/red) that operates below the 900 ppm threshold versus the 1,100 ppm regulatory limit. A centralized online reservation platform (reserveer-online.sportoase.be) handles ticketing and subscription management across locations; a Foodmaker health app provides nutrition recommendations based on activity and metabolic profile; and the Sportoase TV platform distributes workout and health content. Sportoase is ISO-certified for 9 consecutive years and maintains Hartveilig (heart-safe) certification.

The business model combines (a) recurring annual/monthly memberships uniquely bundling fitness and swimming pool access in a single subscription, (b) per-visit tickets for swimming, wellness and ice skating, (c) corporate/B2B services including Healthy Company wellness programs, Spinning On Tour, on-site group classes, and team building packages, and (d) structured swimming school fees. Customers are segmented into Individual Consumers/Families (primary), Corporate/B2B, Athletes and Sports Clubs, and People with Disabilities via the G-Sport Vlaanderen partnership. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer through owned physical locations plus online booking, supported by a dedicated B2B sales motion for corporate wellness; the company also operates branded Running, Cycling and Triathlon teams and a Sportoase Foundation for social impact. No revenue is publicly disclosed.

Name

Sportoase

Legal name

Groep Sportoase NV

Website

https://sportoase.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Sportoase is a Belgian multi-location sports and recreation operator running 20 owned facilities across Belgium, offering integrated swimming, fitness, wellness, ice skating, group classes, and a children's swimming school to consumers, families, corporate clients, athletes, and people with disabilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Recreation and Sports Facility Operations

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Arenas & Indoor Sports Centers (MPAKAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Individual-Sport Clubs & Teams (Cycling Teams, Athletics/Track Clubs, Swimming Clubs, etc.) (MPAKABAD), Climbing & Mountaineering Gyms/Guides (Indoor, Outdoor, Via Ferrata) (THAAAKAG), Adventure Sports & Activity Centers (Paragliding, Surf Schools, Guided Activities) (THAAAAAL), Outdoor Adventure & Action Sports Parks (Ski Resorts, Bike Parks, Skateparks) (MPAKAEAL)

Keywords

• Recreation facility operations
• Swimming pool services
• Fitness club memberships
• Corporate wellness programs
• Sports facility management

Headquarters

HQ city

Leuven

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices21 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual and monthly fitness and multi-service memberships combining access to fitness, swimming pools, and group classes in a single subscription. Described as unique in Belgium - fitness and swimming pool access in one subscription.
2. Per-Visit Tickets: Individual entry tickets for swimming, wellness, ice skating, and day passes available for purchase online and on-site.
3. Corporate/B2B Services: Revenue from corporate wellness programs (Healthy Company), team building events, meeting facilities, Spinning On Tour, and group classes delivered at corporate locations.
4. Swimming School: Weekly swimming lessons for approximately 9,500 children, operating as a structured educational program.
5. Food & Beverage (via Foodmaker): On-site healthy food and beverage services operated by Foodmaker partner at Groot Schijn and potentially other locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Sportoase operates a nationwide network of owned sports and recreation complexes in Belgium, generating revenue from annual and monthly memberships that bundle fitness and swimming pool access (described as unique in Belgium), per-visit tickets for swimming, wellness and ice skating, a 9,500-child weekly swimming school, group fitness classes, and B2B corporate wellness, team building, meeting and event programs delivered both at Sportoase sites and on customer premises. Facilities combine swimming pools, fitness centers with Technogym equipment, wellness/spa zones (hammam, badenhuis, jacuzzi), ice rinks, climbing walls and scuba diving centers under the AIR-filtered, ISO-certified safety standard.

Product overview

Sportoase is a multi-location sports and recreation operator offering an integrated health and wellness ecosystem across 19 Belgian locations. The core offering consists of aquatic facilities (swimming pools, wellness/spa, waterslides), fitness/healthclub (Technogym equipment with combined swimming access), and group exercise classes (540+ weekly hours). Additional services include ice skating rinks, climbing walls, scuba diving, and Foodmaker healthy restaurants. The portfolio includes branded demographic programs (Sportoase Kids, Senior, Baby, Mom, Student, Youth, Pro), competitive teams (Running, Cycling, Triathlon), and a foundation for social impact. All locations share common infrastructure including the AIR ventilation system for safe indoor sports. The company positions itself as a 'partner for everyone's health' with a mission to make sport accessible to all.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sportoase Foundation: Social foundation focused on making sports accessible to disadvantaged youth and people with disabilities, including Athletes For Hope program.
• Sportoase Running Team
• Sportoase Cycling Team
• Sportoase Triathlon Team
• Sportoase TV
• Sportoase BeautyCenter
• AIR-systeem

Products and services

• Aqua (Swimming Pools) Network of swimming pool facilities across Sportoase's Belgian locations, including recreational, instruction, and competition pools with associated wellness features such as waterslides, jacuzzis, steam rooms, fire baths and plunge pools. Available to individual members, day visitors, schools, swimming clubs, and corporate clients for recreational swimming, lessons, and competitive training.
• Healthclub (Fitness) Health club offering with Technogym equipment, personal training, health analysis via Sportoase Healthscan, and the structured Sportoase Journey program. Fitness memberships include complimentary access to swimming pools, which the company describes as a unique combination in Belgium, and target individual members plus corporate Healthy Company clients.
• Group & Fun (Group Classes) Scheduled group exercise program of approximately 540 hours per week across Sportoase locations, covering land-based group classes (zumba, spinning, etc.) and aqua fitness classes, delivered by professional instructors to members, drop-in visitors, and corporate group-class clients (including Spinning On Tour and on-site group classes at company premises).
• Sportoase Kids (children's swimming school and youth programs) Structured children's offering centered on a weekly swimming school for around 9,500 children, plus youth fitness, birthday party packages and family-friendly facility features; targeted at parents, schools, and swimming clubs as a recurring educational program.
• Business & Events (Corporate Wellness, Team Building, Meeting & Events) B2B service package for Belgian companies combining corporate wellness programs (Healthy Company/Bedrijfsfitness), team-building activities (curling, ice hockey initiation, recreational swimming, group classes from €7.90 to €28.93 per participant), meeting and event venues, Spinning On Tour and on-site corporate group classes, plus advertising opportunities within Sportoase locations.
• Wellness & Beautycenter Spa and relaxation offering available at Sportoase locations, with the full hammam and badenhuis experience (jacuzzi, herbal baths, steam room, fire bath at 42°C, plunge pools) available at Veldstraat Antwerpen, and additional wellness features at other sites, marketed to adult members and day visitors seeking relaxation.
• Ice Rink (Ijsbaan) Year-round ice rink facilities at the Groot Schijn location, with a fun track (small rink) and sport ice rink (large rink) for public skating, private rink rental, patch ice for figure skating clubs (€11/hour), curling initiation, and ice hockey initiation, using ecologically responsible cooling.
• Climbing Wall (Klimmuur) Indoor climbing wall offering at the Sportoase Philipssite Leuven location, providing recreational and training climbing experiences for members and visitors.
• Scuba Diving Center (Duikerscentrum) Scuba diving facilities operated at select Sportoase locations, providing access to pool-based diving training and certification for individual members and visiting divers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 700,000 visitors in summer 2025 season
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FoodmakercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoodmaker operates the healthy food and beverage service at Sportoase Groot Schijn Antwerpen. Both companies share a health-first mission. Foodmaker provides vegetable-based meals, snacks, and a health app that calculates personalized nutrition based on sport activities. CEO Lieven Vanlommel. Foodmaker sources from its own organic fields.
• ENGIE Solutions BelgiumcoreTechnology or IntegrationENGIE Solutions Belgium co-developed the AIR system - Sportoase's proprietary advanced ventilation and air quality management system. This system provides hospital-grade air filtration (99.8% efficiency) with continuous monitoring.
• G-Sport VlaanderencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSportoase and G-Sport Vlaanderen strengthened their collaboration in 2024 to promote inclusive sports for people with disabilities. Sportoase is committed to accessibility across its facilities.
• RedfedminorOthersPartner organization listed in Sportoase's partner section. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed in available sources.
• Netwerk Lokaal SportbeleidminorOthersPartner organization listed in Sportoase's partner section focused on local sports policy networks.
• FermminorOthersPartner organization listed in Sportoase's partner section.
• Sport VlaanderenminorOthersGovernment sports organization in Flanders, Belgium. Partner providing access to VTS (Vlaamse Trainersschool) training for lifeguard courses. Listed as partner on the Sportoase website.
• Athletes For HopeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSportoase Foundation partners with Athletes For Hope - a project where young talents from 4 sports disciplines perform, with bonuses from partners funding walking robots for children with spinal cord injuries or muscle diseases. Managed through the Sportoase Foundation.
• Various Belgian MunicipalitiescoreOthersSportoase operates sports facilities in partnership with local municipalities including Leuven (Philipssite), Antwerp (Groot Schijn, Veldstraat), Beringen (be-MINE, TODI), Braine-le-Comte, Brasschaat/Schoten, Evergem, Halle, Heist-op-den-Berg, Hoogstraten, Knokke-Heist, Lanaken, Lille, Londerzeel, Oudenaarde, Roeselare, Rotselaar, Sint-Niklaas, Tongeren, and Wilsele.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• LAGO: Belgian operator of public swimming pools and water parks (a subsidiary of Sport Vlaanderen/Recreatex). Directly comparable as a Belgian multi-pool operator, although LAGO's offering is more swimming-centric whereas Sportoase bundles fitness, wellness, ice, and climbing.
• Basic-Fit: Largest low-cost fitness chain in the Benelux and Europe with extensive Belgian presence. Directly comparable as a multi-site, membership-driven fitness operator in the same geography, although Basic-Fit lacks the integrated swimming pools and wellness component that anchors Sportoase's offer.
• Virgin Active: Premium health and fitness club operator in selected international markets, combining fitness, swimming, and group classes under membership. Comparable in premium positioning and amenity mix, though it does not operate in Belgium and has a different geographic footprint.
• HealthCity: Premium fitness and wellness club operator active in the Netherlands and Belgium, offering group classes, fitness, and ancillary wellness services. Comparable multi-site premium positioning to Sportoase, though with less emphasis on public swimming pools and ice rinks.
• Aspria: Premium European health and wellness club operator combining fitness, swimming, spa, and family programming under membership. Highly comparable to Sportoase's premium, multi-amenity positioning, though Aspria's footprint is concentrated in a few Western European cities.
• Fitness First: Global premium fitness club chain with group classes and personal training. Comparable as a multi-site premium fitness operator, though Fitness First lacks the integrated swimming-pool and ice-rink infrastructure that distinguishes Sportoase.

Broad incumbents

• David Lloyd Leisure: Established UK/European premium health club chain with racquets, swimming, spa, and family programming. Comparable in its premium, multi-amenity, family-oriented positioning, but operates on a much larger pan-European scale and does not concentrate in Belgium.
• Decathlon: Global sporting-goods retailer that has expanded into in-store fitness and small-format sport venues. Tangentially comparable in the sports-and-wellness consumer space, but its primary business is retail rather than facility-based recreation services.
• Club Med: Premium all-inclusive resort operator with extensive sport, fitness, swimming, and wellness amenities. Comparable in combining multi-discipline sport, wellness, and family programming, though Club Med operates destination resorts rather than day-to-day urban recreation facilities.

Regional players

• Sport Vlaanderen: Flemish government agency operating public sports centres, swimming pools, and ice rinks across Flanders. Comparable as a Belgian regional sports-facility operator with pools and ice, but competes as a publicly subsidised incumbent rather than a commercial membership business.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sportoase.be
• Xx.com/sportoase
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sportoase

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sportoase