KNSB Groningen

What KNSB Groningen does

KNSB Groningen (legal name: KNSB Gewest Groningen) is one of eight regional branches (gewesten) of the Koninklijke Nederlandsche Schaatsenrijders Bond (KNSB), the Royal Dutch Ice Skating Federation, founded on 19 November 1929 and headquartered at Henri Dunantlaan 33, Groningen, Netherlands. The organization administers organized competitive and recreational ice skating across the Groningen and Drenthe provinces, operating across five core disciplines: langebaan (long track speed skating), marathon, shorttrack, kunstrijden (figure skating), and jeugdschaatsen (youth skating), plus inline skating and natural ice programs. Sportcentrum Kardinge in Groningen functions as the central artificial ice venue, with affiliated ice clubs, hardrijdersverenigingen (long-distance skating associations), tour organizations, and discipline-specific clubs distributed throughout the region.

The organization's product portfolio consists of structured competition series (the Bouwbedrijf Speelman Competitie marathon series, Pieter Huisman Caravan- en Camperstalling Competitie for youth, Kardingebokaal, Gruno Bokaal/Holland Cup, Sprintcup Berlijn, Open YVG Kampioenschap Marathon), training programs (including a Sven Kramer Academy collaboration for youth development), event formats (packraces, combiwedstrijden, Buffelavond long-distance evenings), and access products (baankaarten/track cards for Sportcentrum Kardinge training hours). Operational technology is limited to MyLaps transponder-based timing and scoring systems for race results and the Sportity mobile app for competition information delivery; registrations are processed via the national inschrijven.schaatsen.nl platform.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across unit-priced competition entry fees (€5–€80 depending on participant category and license status), annual track card subscriptions, youth program fees managed through the Sven Kramer Academy collaboration, and a small portfolio of regional sponsorships (Bouwbedrijf Speelman as title marathon sponsor, Daikin for the marathon cup, Pieter Huisman for youth competitions). Some events (Buffelavond, OYMK, test races) are offered free of charge. The organization does not publish financial statements and operates as a nonprofit regional association under the national federation.

Name

KNSB Groningen

Legal name

KNSB Gewest Groningen

Website

https://knsbgroningen.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

KNSB Groningen is one of eight regional branches of the Dutch Royal Skating Federation (KNSB), administering organized competitive and recreational ice skating across Groningen and Drenthe provinces. It runs long-track, marathon, short-track, figure skating, and youth programs at Sportcentrum Kardinge under a nonprofit federation model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ice Skating Sports Association

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Ice Rinks & Winter Sports Facilities (MPAKAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Winter Sports Teams/Clubs (Ski, Snowboard, Bobsleigh, etc.) (MPAKABAI), Amateur & Grassroots Tournament Organizers (MPAKADAH)

Keywords

• Ice skating association
• Speed skating competitions
• Marathon skating events
• Youth skating programs
• Regional sports federation

Headquarters

HQ city

Groningen

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

KNSB Gewest Groningen is a regional ice skating association that organizes competitions, training, and development programs across long-track, marathon, short-track, figure skating, youth skating, inline skating, and natural ice disciplines. Its central venue is the artificial ice rink at Sportcentrum Kardinge in Groningen, where it sells track cards (baankaarten), coordinates club memberships, and hosts named competition series such as the Bouwbedrijf Speelman Competitie, Pieter Huisman Competitie, Kardingebokaal, and Open YVG Kampioenschap Marathon. The organization operates as the regional branch (gewest) of the Royal Dutch Skating Federation (KNSB) for the Groningen and Drenthe provinces.

Product overview

KNSB Groningen is one of eight regional divisions of the Dutch Royal Skating Association (KNSB), founded on November 19, 1929. The organization provides a comprehensive platform for ice sports enthusiasts across Groningen and Drenthe. Its core offerings center on five skating disciplines: Langebaan (long track speed skating), Marathon, Shorttrack, Kunstrijden (figure skating), and Jeugdschaatsen (youth skating), with additional programs for inline skating and natural ice. The main venue is Sportcentrum Kardinge in Groningen. The organization operates multiple competition series including the Bouwbedrijf Speelman Competitie (marathon), Pieter Huisman Competitie (youth marathon), Kardingebokaal (long track), and the Open YVG Kampioenschap Marathon (OYMK). Training programs include Sven Kramer Academy partnerships for youth. Services include baankaarten (track cards) for ice rink access, various event formats (pack races, combiwedstrijden, buffelavond), and junior/jury training courses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Long Track Speed Skating (Langebaan) Long track speed skating discipline offered to license-holding and recreational skaters, including training access at Sportcentrum Kardinge, competitions (such as the Kardingebokaal, Grunobokaal/Holland Cup, and Sprintcup Berlijn), track records, jury information, youth races, and team selection pathways to national championships.
• Marathon Skating Marathon speed skating competitions and events for license holders, recreational skaters, and youth categories, including the Bouwbedrijf Speelman Competitie (Wednesday evening series), Pieter Huisman Competitie (youth), Daikin Marathon Cup, Open YVG Kampioenschap Marathon (OYMK), and special events such as Buffelavond, pack races, and point races.
• Short Track Speed Skating Short track speed skating activities including scheduled competition dates, news updates, and contact information for the regional short track club.
• Figure Skating (Kunstrijden) Figure skating program providing training days, news updates, and contact information for the regional figure skating club.
• Youth Skating Program (Jeugdschaatsen) Youth skating lessons and development programs for children and adolescents (from approximately age 6 and up), operated in collaboration with the Sven Kramer Academy for professional coaching and progression pathways from beginner to competitive racing.
• Natural Ice Skating (Natuurijs) Coordination of natural ice skating opportunities during winter periods, including skating days, news, and contact information, with affiliated natural ice clubs across the Groningen and Drenthe regions.
• Inline Skating Inline skating activities and news updates for the regional gewest as part of its multi-discipline skating portfolio.
• Baankaarten (Track Cards) Seasonal track access cards (baankaarten) granting holders training-hour access at the Sportcentrum Kardinge ice rink in Groningen. Available as full or limited access categories; the 2025-2026 season cards are sold online via the gewest website.
• Kardingebokaal Annual long track speed skating competition held at Sportcentrum Kardinge in Groningen, organized by the regional gewest.
• Bouwbedrijf Speelman Competitie Wednesday evening marathon skating competition series organized into four skill-based groups, including regular races, championships, and special formats such as pack races and point races; open to license holders and recreational skaters.
• Pieter Huisman Caravan- en Camperstalling Competitie Youth marathon skating competition for Pupillen (all levels) and Junioren-C, including mass-start races that serve as selection events for national youth marathon championships (NK Jeugdmarathon).
• Open YVG Kampioenschap Marathon (OYMK) Annual open marathon championship event held at Sportcentrum Kardinge in January for both license holders and recreational skaters, organized in cooperation with YVG. No participation costs apply.
• Daikin Marathon Cup Marathon skating cup competition series sponsored by Daikin, culminating in a finale that features mass-start events for Pupillen A, B, and C skaters.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bouwbedrijf SpeelmancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Bouwbedrijf Speelman became the main sponsor for the Wednesday evening marathon competition starting from the 2023/2024 season, replacing Oosterhaven after 23 years. The competition was renamed the Bouwbedrijf Speelman Competitie (Bouwbedrijf Speelman Bokaal).
• Sven Kramer AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023The Jeugdschaatsen (youth skating) program collaborates with the Sven Kramer Academy for youth skating development and training. Registration for Sven Kramer Academy youth skating lessons is managed through the organization.
• Pieter Huisman Caravan- en CamperstallingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of the Pieter Huisman Caravan- en Camperstalling Competitie for Pupillen and Junioren C youth skaters, including mass-start races as selection events for national youth marathon championships.
• DaikinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of the Daikin Marathon Cup, including the Daikin Marathon Cup finale with mass start events for Pupillen A, B, and C.
• Oosterhaven (historical sponsor)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchaats-, skeeler- en watersportbedrijf Oosterhaven sponsored the Wednesday evening competition for 23 years until 2023, after which the competition was renamed to the Bouwbedrijf Speelman Competitie.
• Perfectskate/Sportcentrum KardingeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor contributing prizes to the Daikin Marathon Cup lottery, alongside Velodrome Roden and Plus Spithoff Schildwolde.
• YVG (Open YVG Kampioenschap Marathon)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYVG organizes and sponsors the Open YVG Kampioenschap Marathon, an annual open marathon championship event for license holders and recreational skaters held at Sportcentrum Kardinge.
• Velodrome RodenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor contributing prizes to the Daikin Marathon Cup lottery.
• Plus Spithoff SchildwoldeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor contributing prizes to the Daikin Marathon Cup lottery.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• IJsbaan Twente (Enschede): Regional indoor 400m ice rink in Twente hosting speed skating, short-track, and figure skating clubs. Directly comparable regional skating venue with affiliated clubs and a similar youth/competition programming mix.
• KNSB Gewest Friesland: Sister regional district (gewest) of the Koninklijke Nederlandsche Schaatsenrijders Bond, offering the same multi-discipline skating competition and training programs in Friesland. Directly comparable governance, product mix, and sponsorship model.
• Optisport Ice Rinks (De Uithof, The Hague): Operator of multiple Dutch indoor ice rinks hosting long-track, short-track, figure skating, recreational skating, and youth programs. Directly comparable as a venue-based multi-discipline skating operator in a different Dutch region.

Emerging players

• US Speedskating: U.S. national governing body for long-track, short-track, and inline speed skating. Comparable as a federation-style organization that runs national championships, talent development, and member services for amateur and elite speed skating.
• Skating Canada: Canadian national speed skating federation operating long-track, short-track, and inline programs. Comparable in scope (national federation + regional clubs + talent pathways) but operating in a different country and member-based governance structure.

Regional players

• Schaatsvereniging De Meent (Utrecht region): Affiliated skating club within the Utrecht KNSB gewest, offering training, competitions, and youth development. Comparable as a KNSB-affiliated amateur skating organization, but in a different Dutch geography.
• National Ice Centre (Nottingham, UK): UK dual-pad indoor ice facility hosting speed skating, figure skating, and recreational skating. Comparable as a regional multi-discipline ice venue with associated clubs and competitions, but in the UK market.

Broad incumbents

• Vikingskipet (Hamar Olympic Hall, Norway): Norway's landmark indoor speed skating venue hosting international long-track and short-track competition. Comparable as a facility-and-events-driven ice-skating operator with a much larger international event footprint.
• Thialf Heerenveen: The Netherlands' flagship indoor 400m speed skating oval and home of the national KNSB and ISU events. Comparable as a facility-based ice-skating event host with broader national and international scope than a regional gewest.

Others

• Sportcentrum Kardinge (Groningen municipality operator): The municipal multi-sport complex whose artificial ice rink serves as KNSB Groningen's central hub. Not a competitor but the underlying facility partner whose operating model and scheduling directly shape KNSB Groningen's service delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCoYvBoj1ky4Yo-9QmsJR1eA
• Facebookfacebook.com/KNSBGroningen
• Instagraminstagram.com/knsbgroningenendrenthe
• Xx.com/knsbgroningen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/knsb-gewest-groningen

Compliance2 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 KNSB Groningen