Saturday, July 1
First Royal Championships Queen & King of the Court to be held in Rotterdam
The BetCity Royal Championships Queen & King of the Court kick-off in Rotterdam, the Netherlands on Tuesday couldn’t have been more spectacular. Five World Class Dutch beach volleyball players abseiled from the Euromast, while passing a beach volleyball to and from. This amazing feat was done in honor of the kick-off for the biggest King of the Court event ever to be held in the harbor city September 5-10.
On Tuesday at the Euromast in Rotterdam the kick-off event was held for Queen & King of the Court, The Royal Championships, the largest tournament ever in the game’s history. Over the past six years King of the Court has developed from a test-event on a Wednesday night in 2017 to a world class phenomenon with six international events in the 2023 Crown Series. The highlight of the year is the first-ever Royal Championships, the biggest title in the game.
World’s best to visit Rotterdam
Thirty of the biggest teams in beach volleyball per gender will come to Rotterdam to chase the coveted crowns. In both genders 10 teams start in the qualification tournament, from which three teams will enter the Main Draw. 17 teams qualify directly for the Main Draw. A total of 110 athletes coming from over 25 countries will play for the titles of Queens and Kings in Rotterdam.
Unique setup
The event in Rotterdam will be played on four locations throughout the city, incorporating the enthusiasm of the entire sports minded city in the Netherlands. The Royal Stadium is the heart of the event at Henegouwerplein in the city center. The side courts are located on the Afrikaanderplein, Schuttersveld and at Beachclub Rotterdam for which the entrance is free. From Tuesday till Thursday on each of the side courts one day is played. Matches are played in the Royal Stadium on Henegouwerplein from Tuesday till the finals on Sunday. Tickets can be bought here: https://shop.ticketing.cm.com/...
Social impact
This event is for everyone. That’s why the side-court will remain for a period after the tournament has finished. In cooperation with Sportbedrijf Rotterdam and Rotterdam SportSupport, lots of side-events will be organized within the local communities in Rotterdam. The Royal Stadium will be on the Henegouwerplein for over two weeks, giving room to several sporting and cultural events.
Everyone can experience it
The Royal Championships are for everyone. You can visit the games for free at the side-courts throughout the city, buy a ticket for the Royal Stadium at Henegouwerplein or watch it for live on television in over thirty countries. The King of the Court TV livestream will be available for each of the six days.
Quotes
Wilco Nijland, CEO Sportworx emphasized the growth of the sport in just six years. “It is special that something that you came up with as a joke grows into a World Cup. I never thought that, I didn't know which way it would go. It is impressive that we are here now, it is a wonderful place to be able to organize the first World Cup.”
Peter Blangé, CEO Rotterdam Topsport and Olympic champion of 1996 welcomed the Queen & King of the Court community to his city. “Volleyball has had decades of ties with Rotterdam. This event has a very nice set-up, with several locations in the city. We also do this for the average Rotterdam citizen, they can see the players they look up to in their own neighborhood. Sand, sport and culture are part of Rotterdam, it is a unique event.”
Michel Everaert, director of the Dutch Volleyball Association Nevobo mentioned the importance of King of the Court on the international stage. “The European and world volleyball federations are very enthusiastic. They embrace this concept.”
Alexander Brouwer, winner of the 2017 test event: “It's great to see the development the sport has gone through. I hardly ever watch regular beach volleyball, but when King of the Court is on, I turn on the TV or the stream and even go to the stadium earlier for my match. That is because of the uniqueness of the game.”
Ruben Penninga, Dutch champion King of the Court 2020: “King of the Court is exactly why we watch sports. On the edge of your seat during exciting moments. In King of the Court, you have that every round when time starts to run out. Wonderful to play.”