HomeSport Events 2026
Start and finish in Utrecht during HomeSport Events 2026 – 24 hours of sports for families with a sick child
On 27 and 28 June 2026, Utrecht will be spending two days focusing on perseverance, cooperation and supporting families with a sick child. During the fifteenth edition of HomeSport Events, hundreds of participants will be working for 24 hours to raise money for the Ronald McDonald Houses. This year, the teams will start and finish in Utrecht, at the Vechtse Banen.
Ronald McDonald House Utrecht offers parents, brothers and sisters a place to stay day and night within walking distance of the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital and the Princess Máxima Centre, so that they can stay close to their sick child when it matters most. By participating in HomeSport Events, athletes directly contribute to making this wonderful mission possible.
During the previous edition, 101 teams raised over 1.4 million euros, which is good for more than 18,000 overnight stays for families close to their sick child. Teams put together their own sporting adventure and can choose between cycling 500 kilometres, running 240 kilometres, walking 120 kilometres or a combination of 280 kilometres. They compete in relay form and are supported by their coaches. Participants often describe HomeSport Events as a team outing: suffering together, laughing, pulling each other through and ultimately crossing the finish line together.
Each team must raise at least €7,500 before the start. This amount will be used to cover both the daily costs of the current House and the construction of the new 50-room House, the first pile of which is expected to be driven into the ground in the second half of 2026. An additional €3 million is needed to realise the new House. This makes this edition extra special and gives teams even more motivation: their efforts not only make a difference now, but also contribute to the future.
Marc van Welsem, fundraiser and relationship manager for the House: ‘Because we are starting and finishing in Utrecht this year, this edition is extra special. It gives us the opportunity to make our mission even more visible: allowing parents to be close to their sick child. It literally brings the energy of the event closer to our House. We hope to see a large number of teams again.’
As Huis Utrecht is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, we hope to have at least 35 teams participating. The first registrations are already coming in. Among others, Bedrijvencentra Utrecht, Business Open Hoogland, Fluffy Rabbit Utrecht, KZA, ISS Runners & Riders, Team Dorpshuis Austerlitz, Team Juliette, Stones Projects, Multicopy, Veilige Zorg UMCU, Walking Hearts, Ochtendmensen hardlopen & wielrennen, and various WKZ teams have already signed up.
HomeSport Events is for everyone, regardless of sporting experience. It is not a competition: teams are active for 24 hours, just as parents are on call 24 hours a day for their sick or care-intensive child. By participating, participants make a direct and tangible difference for families going through a difficult period. You can register via homesportevent.nl. If you have any questions, please email communicatie-utrecht@ronaldmcdonaldhuis.nl or visit homesportevents.nl. Together, we can ensure that families with a sick child can stay close to each other – exactly when they need it most.
About Ronald McDonald House Utrecht
Ronald McDonald House Utrecht offers families of seriously ill children a place to stay close by, day and night. Parents, brothers and sisters can stay there to read a story, give a goodnight kiss or simply be there when every second counts. The House operates without government support or subsidies and exists thanks to the indispensable support of donors, sponsors and companies. The daily warm welcome, a listening ear and a homely atmosphere are made possible by more than 250 enthusiastic volunteers, who are wholeheartedly committed to every family staying at the House.