#TDS25 Guest Spotlight: Rick van Oosterhout and Beachstadium

Ahead of TheStadiumBusiness Design & Development Summit 2025, we caught up with Rick van Oosterhout of Beachstadium.

Rick and his team have been developing Beachstadium, a concept that merges sport, wellbeing, and nature. The idea is simple: wherever water meets land – from sun-drenched coasts to tranquil lakesides – the beach itself can inspire movement and community.

The Power of the Beach

“Wherever water meets land, from sun-drenched ocean coasts to windswept shores and tranquil lakesides, the beach offers more than just a beautiful setting. It is a living, breathing environment where nature itself becomes part of the experience. The soft resistance of sand challenges the body while protecting it. The salt or freshwater air sharpens the mind. The open sky, the wind, the elements. They stir something deeper,” says Rick.

Even in rough or changing conditions, the beach inspires. Not through pressure, but through play. Not by telling us how to live healthier lives, but by reminding us how good it feels to move. Because when movement starts from joy, something shifts. It no longer feels like a task but it becomes a choice. A spark. A return to something essential.

Beachstadium in Action

At Beachstadium, the team creates vibrant, flexible spaces where people come together to move, explore, and grow, motivated by the rhythm of nature itself.

Whether located by the sea or beside a lake, Beachstadium is a dynamic playground shaped by the elements and designed for all levels – from playful beginners to elite athletes. Scientifically, sand is one of the most effective surfaces for building strength, improving coordination, and aiding recovery, making Beachstadium ideal for both recreational wellbeing and high-performance training.

Weekly programmes can invite people to try a wide range of sports and activities from beach volleyball, soccer, and rugby to stand-up paddling, surfing, fitness, yoga, and more. Members can join structured training or just drop in to play. Companies use Beachstadium for active team sessions, creative offsites, and wellbeing events in an environment that energizes both body and mind.

A Stage for the World

Beyond everyday use, Beachstadium can host international events in beach volleyball, beach soccer, beach rugby, obstacle runs, beach fitness, water sports, and more. Looking ahead, the team proudly supports the vision of the World Beach Games, the new Olympic stage for beach sports, and sees Beachstadium as a future host for this global celebration.

“And who doesn’t remember one of the most beautiful stadiums of the recent Paris Olympics, right in front of the Eiffel Tower? It would be wonderful if that one became permanent,” adds Rick.

Scaling the Concept

Backed by over 16 years of experience running a successful semi-permanent Beachstadium on Scheveningen beach in The Hague, the team has seen firsthand how sport, nature, and community can transform public space and spark movement physically, socially, and economically.

Driven by this success, they are looking to develop Beachstadium International: a permanent, scalable, internationally replicable venue model. The first R&D centre is planned for 2027–2028 in the Netherlands.

Rick says: “It feels like we are the small stadium between the big projects. But we often see the sparkle and excitement in the eyes of architects and developers who want to be part of this Beach trip.”

>> Meet Rick, and join 450+ venue experts from around the world, only at #TDS25 on December 10–11 in Manchester.

Stadiums. Arenas. Destinations..
9-11 December 2025 | Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester