Netherlands Hockey Masters have expressed disappointment after their bid to host a single 10-day Masters World Cup uniting all age groups was turned down.
The Dutch group said they were “truly proud” of their joint Belgium–Netherlands bid, which would have brought six clubs together to stage the entire tournament.
The plan was designed to lead directly into the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Brussels and Amsterdam, offering back-to-back festivals of the sport.
However, World Masters Hockey confirmed that their 2026 World Cup will instead be split into four separate tournaments spread across July and August at three host clubs: HC Rotterdam, BHV Push in Breda, and KHC Dragons in Brasschaat, Belgium.
“We thank the bid committee for their expertise, energy, dedication and enormous amount of time,” Netherlands Hockey Masters said in a statement. “However, WMH has decided not to select our joint bid. In our view, the global hockey community will experience a less unique event.”
The rejection leaves the Netherlands and Belgium still hosting but in a more traditional format, with tournaments divided by age categories. Rotterdam will stage the over-35s to over-50s from 22 July to 1 August 2026, while Dragons and Push will host the older divisions from 6–16 August.
For HC Rotterdam, the award coincides with its 100-year anniversary. Club president Jac Bressers called the decision “a true privilege,” noting the venue’s history of hosting major international events, including the Euro Hockey League and the FIH Pro League.
More than 600 matches are scheduled, with neighbouring HV Victoria set to provide extra pitches.
KHC Dragons, who hosted the Masters European Championships in 2019, said they aimed to create “an unforgettable tournament, both on and off the pitch,” while BHV Push in Breda described its selection as “an honour.”
WMH President Glenn Paton defended the decision, highlighting the scale and inclusivity of the chosen model.
“Twelve years after the very first combined FIH and Masters Hockey World Cups in the Netherlands, it is fitting that we return to the Low Countries for another historic edition,” he said.
“The passion, infrastructure, and hospitality of our hosts guarantee a festival of hockey worthy of our Masters Hockey family worldwide.”
Netherlands Hockey Masters acknowledged that the event remains “an extraordinary spectacle” and welcomed the fact that, with both the WMH and FIH tournaments taking place in Belgium and the Netherlands, the Low Countries will host three major world cups in the same summer.
The WMH decision follows an international bidding contest involving Spain and South Africa.
Officials said the chosen structure was designed to ensure smooth delivery across categories and allow clubs to manage the logistics of accommodating hundreds of teams.
