Something went wrong.

It is not possible to load the page you were looking for on KNVB.com.

The website is currently in maintenance mode. Please try again later.

Do you use an adblocker? Try turning it off and reload the page.

The KNVB brings innovation in football together at the #11 Innovation Festival

KNVB Media
KNVB Media
15 April 2026, 12:15

Innovation in football does not arise from a single party, but rather from the collaboration between clubs, businesses and knowledge institutions. - Foto: KNVB Media

On Tuesday 7 April, the KNVB #11 Innovation Festival took place at the KNVB Campus in Zeist. With over 200 visitors from the worlds of sport, technology, science and business, the day was dedicated to innovation, collaboration and the future of football.

The festival kicked off with an inspiring look at the future of football in 2050. KNVB representatives then guided visitors through the key innovation themes. Across four communities — performance, amateur football technology, and pitch & turf quality — visitors gained an insight into how clubs, businesses and research institutions are collaborating on concrete solutions for the football of tomorrow.

30 partners

Spread across the campus, around 30 partners presented their innovations through interactive demos, workshops and practical examples. From data-driven performance improvement to smart technology for amateur football and innovations in sustainable sports pitches: the festival highlighted just how broad and tangible innovation within football is.

Alongside the content, networking was central. Through various community initiatives, visitors were actively brought into contact with one another and encouraged to explore new collaborations.

AI-driven game

The festival concluded with an interactive closing event, during which visitors played an AI-driven game together using sound and technology. A symbolic representation of what #11 stands for: collaboration as the key to progress.

Daphne van Dijk spoke on behalf of #11: “What we have seen today is that innovation in football does not arise from a single party, but rather from the collaboration between clubs, businesses and knowledge institutions. Within #11, we bring these worlds together and ensure that ideas are actually put into practice.”


Latest news