What ACLO does

ACLO (Stichting Academische Centrale Lichamelijke Opvoeding) is a Dutch student sports foundation established in 1945 and headquartered in Groningen, Netherlands. It operates as the largest student sports organization in the country, serving over 20,000 members across the student and staff populations of the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG) and Hanzehogeschool Groningen, plus 49 affiliated student sports associations spanning volleyball, football, swimming, sailing, cycling, water sports, martial arts, and more. The core product is a €79.95 annual subscription that unlocks access to 100+ sports delivered through four formats: group lessons, open hours, multi-week courses (8 course periods per year), free reservation of courts and fields, and affiliated-club membership.

ACLO's delivery stack combines physical infrastructure — the ACLO Sportcentrum on Zernike Campus, ACLO City in central Groningen (including the Powerstation / Northside Barbell strength facility), and the Willem Alexander Sportcentrum swimming pool — with a mobile application (iOS and Android) integrated with RUG and Hanze student-account authentication, used for subscription purchase, facility reservation, and QR-code check-in. The foundation's revenue model is subscription-anchored (€79.95/year per member) supplemented by small per-course own-contributions (e.g., €100 for Swimming Diploma A, €60 for gliding) and equipment rentals, with institutional support from RUG and Hanze subsidizing operations. A new 12,500 m² sustainable multifunctional sports center on Zernike Campus — construction contracted to Aannemingsmaatschappij Hegeman and BAM Integrale Projecten Noord, groundbreaking spring 2026, completion 2028 — is the principal forward-looking capital project. ACLO is governed by a volunteer Dagelijks Bestuur (2025–2026 board chaired by Roan Luning) and is structured as a non-profit stichting, not a capital-raising entity.

Name

ACLO

Legal name

Stichting Academische Centrale Lichamelijke Opvoeding

Website

https://aclosport.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ACLO is a Dutch non-profit student sports foundation in Groningen serving over 20,000 RUG and Hanzehogeschool students through a €79.95 annual subscription covering 100+ sports, group lessons, courses, and 49 affiliated sports associations, delivered via dedicated facilities and a mobile app.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Sports and Recreation Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

University/College Club Sports Programs (MPAKACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Club Sports Programs (EDALAIAB), Collegiate & School Athletic Facilities (MPAKAEAJ)

Keywords

• Student sports services
• Sports facility management
• Group fitness classes
• Sports association hosting
• University recreation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Groningen

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Student Sports Subscription: Annual subscription model (€79.95 per year) giving students access to 100+ sports across group lessons, open hours, courses, free reservation, and sports associations. This is the primary revenue driver.
2. Group Class Instructor Salaries: ACLO employs certified group class instructors (salary range €3,057–€3,985 full-time equivalent) for group fitness and sports lessons, funded through subscription revenue and institutional support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ACLO provides students of Rijksuniversiteit Groningen and Hanzehogeschool Groningen with access to 100+ sports through an annual subscription (€79.95), delivered across indoor halls, outdoor fields, a swimming pool, beach courts, and fitness facilities. Sports are offered in four formats: group lessons with certified instructors, open hours, multi-week courses (8 course periods per year), and free reservation of courts/fields, plus membership in 49 affiliated student sports associations. A mobile app handles subscription purchase, reservations, course enrollment, and check-in, integrated with university student accounts.

Product overview

ACLO is a student sports organization serving the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen and Hanzehogeschool Groningen, operating as the largest student sports organization in the Netherlands with over 20,000 members. The organization offers a unified sports platform combining physical facilities (ACLO Sportcentrum, ACLO City, Willem Alexander Sportcentrum, and ACLO City Powerstation) with the ACLO mobile application for reservations and subscription management. The core offering is an annual subscription (€79.95) providing access to over 100 sports across categories including ball sports, dance, fitness, martial arts, racket sports, water sports, and winter sports. Sports are delivered through multiple formats: group lessons, open hours, multi-week courses, free reservation of facilities, and sports associations/clubs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ACLO Subscription Annual student sports subscription priced at €79.95 per year, providing access to 100+ sports across group lessons, open hours, multi-week courses, free facility reservations, and 49 affiliated student sports associations. Purchased and managed via the ACLO mobile app using a student university account.
• ACLO Sportcentrum Main sports facility on the Zernike Campus in Groningen, offering fitness areas, indoor sports halls, beach volleyball courts, and tennis courts. Open to RUG and Hanze students and staff with a subscription. Open Mon-Fri 7:30-23:00, Sat 9:00-22:00, Sun 10:00-21:00.
• ACLO City Secondary ACLO location at Bloemstraat 36 in central Groningen, offering group fitness classes. Open only during scheduled group lesson hours. Houses the Powerstation (Northside Barbell) facility.
• Willem Alexander Sportcentrum (Swimming) Swimming pool facility operated by ACLO as part of the Zernike Campus sports complex, offering open swimming hours and swimming courses. Separate opening hours apply and are managed through the ACLO app.
• ACLO City Powerstation Power/strength training facility at the ACLO City location, available to ACLO members with a fitness subscription that includes power access. Has separate opening hours for Northside Barbell members and ACLO sporters with a Power Card.
• ACLO App Mobile application (iOS and Android) serving as the central digital platform for purchasing or renewing ACLO subscriptions, booking group lessons, enrolling in multi-week courses, reserving sports facilities, and checking in via QR code. Log-in is integrated with student university accounts of RUG and Hanzehogeschool Groningen.
• Sportaanbod (100+ Sports Portfolio) Comprehensive portfolio of more than 100 sports and activities organized across categories: ball sports, dance, mind sports, endurance sports, extreme sports, fitness, climbing, strength sports, racket sports, equestrian, gymnastics and jumping, martial arts and self-defense, water sports, and winter sports. Delivered through group lessons, open hours, multi-week courses, and free reservation formats.
• Multi-Week Sports Courses (8 course periods per year) Structured multi-week sports courses offered in 8 course periods per year, each with distinct start dates. Courses span all sport categories and are open to subscription holders for enrollment through the app.
• Swimming Diploma A Course Swimming diploma A course requiring a €100 own-contribution fee, non-refundable, payable at the Sportcentrum desk or via the ACLO app before the course start.
• Gliding Course (Zweefvliegen) One-day gliding course offering two flights, requiring a €60 own-contribution (non-refundable). Not open to international students due to language requirements.
• Open Water Swimming with Wetsuit Rental Open water swimming activity with wetsuit rental at €5–€7.50 per session at the Teuntje de Slak collection point. ACLO swim cap available at the desk for €4.50.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20,000+ athletes served with 49 student sports associations in the new sports center (opening 2028)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Aannemingsmaatschappij HegemancoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 24 December 2025Awarded the main construction contract (bouwkundige werkzaamheden) for the new ACLO Sportcentrum on Zernike Campus. Based in Nijverdal. The project involves constructing the ~12,500 m² BVO multifunctional sports facility.
• BAM Integrale Projecten NoordcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 24 December 2025Awarded the installation work (installatiewerkzaamheden) for the new ACLO Sportcentrum. Based in Groningen. Responsible for mechanical and electrical installations in the ~12,500 m² BVO new facility.
• Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 December 2024RUG is the primary institutional partner and nominal owner of the ACLO sports facilities. RUG, Hanzehogeschool, and Stichting ACLO jointly developed the new 12,500 m² sports center on Zernike Campus. RUG provides supporting services including the reservation system, and RUG students have access to ACLO via student accounts.
• Hanzehogeschool GroningencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 December 2024Hanzehogeschool Groningen co-sponsors the ACLO and is a joint developer of the new sports center on Zernike Campus alongside RUG and Stichting ACLO. Hanze students have access to ACLO facilities.
• Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (Shared Infrastructure)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe ACLO shares infrastructure with RUG, including the reservation system and student identity management. RUG's IT systems (via ac.log in portal) support ACLO's digital operations, and RUG's facilities team manages parts of the Zernike Campus infrastructure.
• G.S.A.V. Vitalis (Student Athletics Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVitalis co-organizes the annual ACLO-Vitalis Run (AV-Run) together with ACLO. The event offers 3.8 km and 6.4 km distances, with a Fun Run component in teams of 3. Participation is free.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Basic-Fit: Largest low-cost fitness chain in the Netherlands and Europe with hundreds of locations, including near Dutch university campuses. Adjacent competitor for student fitness spend, though narrower in sports breadth and lacking the association/community layer.
• Sportcity (NL): Dutch mid-market fitness chain offering group classes and memberships nationwide. Competes with ACLO for student fitness wallet share, though without the university-integration, association network, or breadth of niche sports.

Direct peers

• USC Amsterdam (University Sports Centre): University sports center serving University of Amsterdam and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences students; offers similar breadth of sports, group lessons, and an annual subscription model. Directly comparable Dutch university sports operator.
• VU Sports Centre (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam): VU Amsterdam's student sports provider offering fitness, group lessons, and association support. Comparable Dutch university-sports operator in customer base and product breadth.
• Sportcentrum Universiteit Utrecht (Olympos / University Sport Centre): Operates sports facilities and a multi-sport subscription for Utrecht University students, with a comparable breadth of sports and association ecosystem. A direct Dutch university-sport peer.
• TU/e Sports Centre (Eindhoven University of Technology): University-operated sports center serving TU/e students with fitness, group lessons, and associations. Directly comparable in customer base (university students) and bundled subscription model.
• Radboud Sport (Radboud University Nijmegen): Student sports provider for Radboud University with fitness, group classes, and association support. Comparable Dutch university sports model anchored to a single academic institution.
• Erasmus Sport (Erasmus University Rotterdam): Sports organization affiliated with Erasmus University Rotterdam offering multi-sport memberships, group lessons, and association support for students. Closely comparable in target customer and service mix to ACLO.
• Wageningen University Sports Centre (WUR Sports): Sports organization affiliated with Wageningen University offering multi-sport subscriptions and association support. Direct Dutch university-sports peer with similar non-profit structure.

Regional players

• KU Leuven Sport: Largest Belgian university sports organization operating sports facilities and multi-sport subscriptions for KU Leuven students. Comparable in scale and bundled model, but serving a different country.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/aclosport
• Xx.com/aclosport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aclo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

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 ACLO