Sports in Ghent

Sports culture in Ghent

Cycling is so woven into daily life in Ghent that the city was named Cycling City 2024 and pioneered Belgium's first bicycle street. But that designation only captures one thread of a broader, participation-oriented sports culture. Football draws the largest spectator crowds through KAA Gent, field hockey has deep club roots through La Gantoise, and the annual Six Days of Ghent indoor track cycling event at 't Kuipke velodrome has run since 1922. Running, swimming, racquet sports, and waterside activities around the Watersportbaan corridor complete an everyday landscape that rewards newcomers willing to explore it.

The city manages its sport infrastructure through the Sportdienst (Huis van de Sport) at Zuiderlaan 13, which coordinates club access, manages municipal facilities, and serves as the central contact for public sport. Most team sports and court sports require advance booking or club membership rather than walk-in access, so registering on the city's online platform early is worthwhile. Dutch is the default administrative and club language, but Ghent University Sport and larger gym chains operate comfortably in English, making the city genuinely accessible for international newcomers.

Ghent also has 45 sport clubs offering G-sport (adapted sport for people with a disability), the highest count in Flanders alongside Antwerp, making it one of the more inclusive cities in the country for adapted sport participation.

Major spectator sports in Ghent

Football commands the largest live audiences in Ghent. KAA Gent, nicknamed the Buffalos, competes in the Jupiler Pro League and regularly in European competition including the UEFA Conference League. Home matches are played at Planet Group Arena (Ottergemsesteenweg Zuid 808), a 20,000-seat stadium the club has used since 2013. The club also fields KAA Gent Ladies and a reserve side, Jong KAA Gent. Tickets are sold through the club's official Roboticket platform; prices for Jupiler Pro League fixtures in the Champions Play-Off category range from EUR 15 (under-16 in Tribune 4) to EUR 55 (16+ in Tribune 1). To identify home fixtures, check the club's official calendar: when KAA Gent appears in the first column, the match is at home.

Track cycling holds a special place in Ghent's sporting calendar. The Six Days of Ghent is an indoor event held annually at 't Kuipke velodrome in Citadelpark, with daily disciplines including the Madison, points race, elimination, time trial, super sprint, and derny. Tickets are available through the official event booking platform linked from the Visit Gent event page, or in person at Uitbureau Gent vzw (Veldstraat 82B).

For other indoor sports events, Topsporthal Vlaanderen in the Watersportbaan-Blaarmeersen area is Ghent's main multifunctional indoor venue. It has a fixed 200-meter athletics track and hosts gymnastics, boxing, badminton, and martial arts events, with its public event calendar running from August through November.

Team sports in Ghent

The easiest and most flexible entry point for joining team sport in Ghent is the city's online reservation system. After creating a Sportprofiel account on the Stad Gent reservation portal, you can book courts and pitches up to one month in advance for indoor football, mini-football, basketball, volleyball, frisbee, and rugby, among others. This works for casual groups that are not yet ready to commit to a club.

Football is the most widely played team sport and takes several forms: outdoor football, indoor zaalvoetbal (indoor football), and mini-football. Municipal pitches at Blaarmeersen include two fields, with field A reserved for rugby and field B usable for both rugby and football with movable goals. Social football options include Street League 9000 and neighborhood football organized across five Ghent districts through the KAA Gent Foundation's program, as well as ZVC Spectrum and ZVC Aequalis Gent for recreational indoor football.

Ghent University Sport (GUSB) at Watersportlaan 3 is the most practical English-facing entry point for international students and staff. Its program includes basketball, handball, hockey, mini-football, five-a-side football, rugby, volleyball, and water polo, with a route to interuniversity competition through the Belgian University Sports Federation (BUSF). Volleyball is available recreationally at GUSB through internal competitions, making it a low-barrier option for those not yet ready for a competitive club.

Basketball is available through both the municipal booking network and the Ghent Basketball Play Ball and Have Fun program, which runs weekly in the neighborhoods of Nieuw Gent-UZ, Ledeberg, and Gentbrugge. Rugby, handball, hockey, water polo, and frisbee are all accessible via GUSB and the city's public booking system. To find a verified local club by sport, use the City of Ghent Sportclubs directory or contact sportdienst@stad.gent directly.

External clubs, private groups, and companies can also apply for hall space at HOGENT's sports facility, which covers 4,000 square meters across three polyvalent halls marked for mini-football, volleyball, basketball, and 24 badminton courts. Booking is done through HOGENT's online application process; note that HOGENT's own sports insurance does not cover non-HOGENT users, so arranging separate coverage is advisable before playing there.

Gyms and fitness in Ghent

Budget-conscious newcomers will find Basic-Fit the most accessible starting point. The Normaalschoolstraat 42 location offers 24/7 access, and the Comfort membership costs EUR 24.99 per 4-week period (plus a one-off EUR 19.99 subscription fee), giving unlimited access to all 170+ Basic-Fit clubs in Belgium. A Premium tier at EUR 29.99 per 4 weeks adds further services, while the Ultimate tier at EUR 44.98 per 4 weeks extends access to all Basic-Fit clubs across Europe and allows bringing a guest on each visit. Annual memberships run as 13 four-week periods, so the pricing structure is not calendar-month-based: EUR 24.99 per period works out to roughly EUR 325 over the full year.

Jims is a mid-range Belgian chain with multiple locations in the Ghent area. The Fitness subscription starts at EUR 39.99 per 4 weeks, covering 7-days-a-week access to 80+ clubs, a personal coach, app-based training schedules, infrared sauna, and lounge access. A Group subscription adding group classes starts at EUR 49.99 per 4 weeks. Members who prefer flexibility can choose a rolling option with a 4-week cancellation notice rather than an annual commitment. A single day pass costs EUR 15, purchased in-club, and can be credited against a later membership if you decide to join.

Stadium Coupure is a local Ghent fitness center with Cash (upfront fixed-period) and flexible Best Price or Flex subscriptions paid monthly by SEPA direct debit or recurring card. Students with a valid student card or proof of enrollment receive a reduced rate across all activities, making it a practical option for university-affiliated newcomers.

Running and cycling in Ghent

The flat, waterside Blaarmeersen-Watersportbaan is the natural starting point for both running and recreational cycling in Ghent. It connects directly to outdoor sport facilities and suits first-week orientation rides or runs as well as regular training loops. Two marked city running routes extend further into the city: the Loopomloop Schelde (Liedermeersroute Ledeberg/Merelbeke, 6.8 km) and the Natuurloop Parkbos (Sint-Denijs-Westrem, 5.3 km), both accessible from different parts of the city.

For social running, Ghent Running Crew was founded in 2022 by residents who wanted a community-focused format; check their current calendar before joining, as meeting times shift by season. VTK Runclub, linked to Ghent University and starting from Jozef Plateaustraat 22, organizes regular evening runs and is another practical social entry point. Two recurring events give recreational runners calendar targets: the Planet Group Ekiden Gent, a team relay race held each spring at Wouter Weylandt Stadion, and the annual TREK Stadsloop Gent, a city-center road race that has run for over 40 editions, making it a well-established fixture for newcomers building toward their first race in the city.

Cycling in Ghent operates at two levels: everyday transport and recreational sport. The city has an extensive network of cycle paths, bicycle streets, and bike motorways. Visit Gent's cycling network tool covers point-to-point navigation and longer itineraries; a published 53 km circuit for discovering the city is available with two 9 km shortcuts, and the signed "Along Ghent's waterways" route passes Watersportbaan and Blaarmeersen, making it ideal for a first recreational ride. The annual Flandrienne open road-cycling event starts from Ghent and welcomes road cyclists, e-bike users, and occasional cyclists alike, offering a practical way to experience Belgian cycle-sport culture without racing credentials.

For longer-term bike access, De Fietsambassade Gent is the city's official rental service, offering city bikes at EUR 14 per day, EUR 36 per week, EUR 55 per month, and EUR 250 per year; e-bikes at EUR 28 per day, EUR 80 per week, EUR 140 per month, and EUR 990 per year; and folding bikes at EUR 20 per day, EUR 60 per week, and EUR 105 per month. A warranty deposit is required: EUR 40 for a city bike and EUR 120 for an e-bike. If a rented bike is stolen, you must report it to both the local police and De Fietsambassade within 48 hours of becoming aware of the theft. For shorter station-based rentals, Blue-bike operates at Gent-Sint-Pieters and Gent-Dampoort train stations, useful for station-to-destination trips.

Swimming in Ghent

Ghent has 5 public swimming pools and one outdoor swimming pond, spread across the city. The indoor options are Farys Van Eyck, Farys Rooigem, and Farys Strop; LAGO Gent Rozebroeken; and the GUSB pool at Ghent University. The outdoor option is the Blaarmeersen swimming pond, supervised by qualified lifeguards during the season and equipped with a beach, a children's area, and water slides.

A single swim at Farys and LAGO sport pools costs EUR 4.00 (standard), EUR 2.40 (under-26), or EUR 0.80 for holders of the UiTPAS kansentarief (a means-tested leisure discount card available to eligible residents). Children from 3 months to 6 years swim free. Regular swimmers can buy an 11-swim named card, valid for one year, at EUR 40.00 standard, EUR 24.00 under-26, or EUR 8.00 with the kansentarief. An annual swimming subscription costs EUR 184.00 standard, EUR 110.40 under-26, or EUR 36.80 with the kansentarief; it requires a passport photo and is valid at Farys Strop, Rooigem, Van Eyck, and LAGO Rozebroeken, but not at the GUSB pool.

The GUSB pool at Watersportlaan 3 is managed separately from the city network; city swimming cards and subscriptions are not valid there. It has its own access conditions for students, staff, and external users. If you are affiliated with Ghent University, check the GUSB swimming page for current access conditions before buying a city subscription.

For outdoor swimming, the Blaarmeersen pond charges non-residents EUR 1.00 per person if booked online before the day, and EUR 5.00 for a day-of ticket; children under 12, Ghent students, and guests of Camping Blaarmeersen-Urban Gardens are free. LAGO Rozebroeken also has an outdoor pool with water slides. Family facilities differ by pool: Rooigem has a large sports pool, an 11-by-10-meter children's pool, bubble baths, steam baths, and a wide water slide; Strop has a children's pool and a paddling pool with play equipment; LAGO Rozebroeken has a 50-meter sports pool and a play area.

Group swimming lessons from Sportdienst Gent run at Rooigem and Strop for both children and adults. The WaiWai program at Rozebroeken offers playful lessons for babies from 6 months. Private lessons from independent instructors are permitted during public swimming hours at Farys Rooigem, Strop, and Van Eyck; the official surcharge for a private instructor's pool access and a reserved lane is EUR 9.80 per 30-minute block.

Racquet sports in Ghent

The main public hub for racquet sports is Blaarmeersen, where the City of Ghent offers bookable courts for tennis, padel, and squash. Rackets for all three sports can be hired at the on-site kiosk, with one exception: padel rackets are not lent during the final evening session (21:30 to 23:00). Court fees at Blaarmeersen run EUR 15.25 per hour for tennis or padel and EUR 10.55 per hour for squash. Badminton courts at the same site cost EUR 7.95 per hour. Season subscriptions for tennis and squash can be applied for through the Stad Gent online form (contact sport.reserveringen@stad.gent or 09 266 80 00).

Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in Belgium and is available at multiple Ghent venues: Blaarmeersen, HOGENT, and La Gantoise. Because padel courts book out quickly at peak times, registering on the booking system and setting up calendar reminders for reservation windows is practical from the first week.

Ghent University Sports Center (GUSB) offers tennis and badminton to students, staff, and external users. External users pay EUR 10.00 per hour for a badminton court; tennis court reservations are made and paid online, with booking windows opening at the start of each semester. HOGENT's sports facility also offers badminton, tennis, and padel rental; external users can book through HOGENT's online process, but HOGENT's sports insurance does not cover non-HOGENT users.

For structured club play, 4Ghent Badmintonclub is a year-round badminton club suited to newcomers who prefer regular club sessions over ad hoc court hire. Competitive tennis and padel players can find tournaments in Ghent listed through Tennis en Padel Vlaanderen, including events at club Gantoise. Sportdienst Gent also runs dedicated tennis lessons for over-55s.

Outdoor sports in Ghent

The Blaarmeersen Sports and Recreation Park is Ghent's main outdoor hub, combining football, tennis, padel, squash, rugby, and athletics facilities with a swimming pond, beach area, and direct access to the Watersportbaan waterside corridor. Most newcomers discover only part of what the site offers: walking around the full perimeter reveals athletics tracks, aquatic zones, and rental facilities that are not immediately visible from the main entrance.

Parkbos, on Ghent's southern edge, offers walking, running, and low-traffic cycling routes including a converted old railway bed used as a safe cycling and running corridor. The city's eight green climate axes connect the inner city to five green poles at Ghent's edges, giving runners and cyclists a network of nature-rich, low-car routes that reach well beyond the city center without requiring a car to access.

Water-based outdoor activities center on Ghent's historic waterways. Kajak Gent offers solo kayak rental on city waters; child pricing for ages 5 to 11 starts at EUR 6 per session. The Watersportbaan is Ghent's dedicated rowing and regatta course, used year-round by rowing clubs and hosting the annual Trophy "City of Ghent" regatta, which draws Belgian and international club teams. Seasonal water-activity events such as Dobberdag at Houtdok dock add further options in spring and summer.

Ghent also hosts Belgium's largest outdoor skate park, making skateboarding one of the most accessible urban action sports for city residents. Spring and summer bring recurring outdoor race events, including the annual TREK Stadsloop Gent city road race, which serves as a useful calendar anchor for newcomers getting into running.

Sports for kids in Ghent

The widest-reach option for children is the Sportdienst Gent holiday sport camp program, which runs during every school vacation except Christmas. The summer program alone covers approximately 230 camps across 53 sports, attended by more than 5,000 children aged 4 to 17. Camps are full-day or half-day with no overnight stay, grouped by level or age, and span classics (swimming, tennis, athletics) alongside newer offerings such as padel, stand-up paddleboarding, freerunning, start-to-triathlon, and urban street basketball. Specialist camps including padel and climbing are held at the Arsenaalsite in Gentbrugge.

Registration timing matters: Ghent residents can register two days earlier than non-residents for each vacation period, so camps fill quickly once the resident window opens. Register through the Sportdienst Gent webshop at stad.gent/sport/sportkampen. Parents bringing children to Blaarmeersen-based camps by car can enter and exit the paid parking zone free of charge upon presentation of the practical-info confirmation email from Sportdienst; without it, parking costs EUR 7 during the paid-parking season (May through August).

G-sport camps for children with disabilities run in small groups of a maximum of 12 participants with at least 3 instructors. Adapted equipment is provided, a medical form is required after registration, and necessary support persons accompany their child free of charge.

For year-round activity, Ghent Basketball's Play Ball and Have Fun program serves children aged 9 to 17 in the neighborhoods of Ledeberg, Rabot-Blaisantvest, Nieuw Gent-UZ, Muide-Meulestede-Afrikalaan, and Watersportbaan-Ekkergem. It runs weekly from late September to mid-June (not during school vacations or public holidays), with the first two sessions free; a 10-session card then costs EUR 10, or EUR 2 with the UiTPAS reduced tariff. Registrations for each new season typically open from the end of August.

OmniKids Ghent offers a broad movement-skills program combining football, athletics, and recreational play for early-years and primary-age children, aimed at general motor development before sport specialization. Hundreds of sport clubs are searchable through the city's Sportclubs directory, covering virtually every sport a child might want to try.

Good to know: The KAA Gent Kids Club (EUR 25 per season, open to children under 13) is a supporter membership linked to the professional football club, with events and match invitations. It is a fan experience, not a training program; children who want to play football should look for a local football club through the Sportclubs directory instead.

Sports facilities in Ghent

Ghent's municipal sport infrastructure, managed under the Sportdienst umbrella, covers sports halls, outdoor pitches, swimming pools, the Blaarmeersen outdoor zone, badminton courts, table-tennis tables, pétanque (bowls) courts, polyvalent halls, neighborhood sports halls, and ball-sports halls. All facilities are open to residents and non-residents alike.

Booking is done online after creating a Sportprofiel account on the Stad Gent platform. Individual users can reserve up to one month in advance for indoor and outdoor tennis, padel, squash, badminton, table tennis, dance, indoor football, mini-football, basketball, volleyball, frisbee, and rugby. Clubs, schools, and associations can apply separately for season allocations. Creating the Sportprofiel account before you need a court is advisable, as it is a prerequisite for all online reservations.

Municipal sports hall tariffs from July 2026 are structured as follows:

• EUR 3.50 per hour for a gym section, pétanque court, table-tennis table, or badminton court
• EUR 13.50 per hour for a one-third hall or small hall
• EUR 27.00 per hour for the LAGO ball-sports hall used for badminton
• EUR 40.50 per hour for a full hall or central neighborhood sports field

Eligible UiTPAS kansentarief users pay significantly reduced rates across all categories. All rates are subject to change; confirm current tariffs when booking.

Ghent University Sports Center (GUSB) at Watersportlaan 3 has three large and two small indoor halls. Its sports program includes aerobics, basketball, CrossFit, badminton, handball, hockey, judo, karate, Krav Maga, mini-football, five-a-side football, rugby, swimming, tennis, volleyball, water polo, and yoga. All reservations are made by email to sportonline@ugent.be no later than 12:00 the day before the session.

HOGENT's sports hall comprises three polyvalent halls totaling 4,000 square meters, marked for 3 mini-football pitches, 9 volleyball courts, 5 basketball courts, and 24 badminton courts, plus a power room, two dance and martial arts rooms, a gymnastics hall, and a spinning room. External clubs and organizations can apply for hall access through HOGENT's online booking process.