MIDDELKERKE - No tickets for the Olympic Games in Paris, or you can't get enough of the Olympic atmosphere ... then you can descend to our Belgian coast during the Games for the Olympic Festival. Indeed, the beach of Middelkerke, near the new casino building SILT, will be completely transformed from July 26 to August 11 into a sports epicenter that brings the Olympic vibe of Paris to Belgium. Everyone can participate, watch and experience sports for 17 days. Moreover, all Team Belgium athletes who achieve a top 8 ranking in Paris will come to Middelkerke three days later. Performances by top Belgian artists such as Daan, Tourist LeMC and a few more surprises will further bathe Middelkerke in a wonderful festival atmosphere.
Watching Sports
The 'Olympic Festival' in Middelkerke is open for 17 days from 10 am to midnight. The most important Olympic competitions in Paris are of course broadcast live on large screens on the grounds, with the games of the Team Belgium athletes always being given priority. So, the ideal place to support and hopefully celebrate together more than once.
Playing Sports
In addition to watching sports, visitors to the 'Olympic Festival' can also participate in sports themselves. Between 10 am and 6 pm there will be daily initiations (beach volleyball, badminton, rugby, handball, skateboarding, judo, table tennis, rowing, gymnastics, field hockey, boxing, breaking, ...) led by various sports federations. To stay in the Olympic spirit, the sports program in Middelkerke follows as much as possible the competition calendar of our Team Belgium athletes in Paris.
Congratulating Athletes
The Belgian athletes who finish in the top 8 at the Olympic Games in Paris will be honored the day itself or the day after at the Lotto Belgium House in Paris, Team Belgium's official fan base in the city of lights. The 'Olympic Festival' in Middelkerke is the equivalent on the home front. At the latest three days later, the athletes will come directly from Paris to Middelkerke, where they will once again be extensively honored. Thanks to the cooperation between BOIC, the municipality of Middelkerke and organizer Golazo, the Olympic Festival will be the place to be for all fans in Belgium!
Judo Belgium Present!
Judo Belgium (the national federation, representing JV and JWB) will also be prominently present at the Olympic Festival. Mark the 29th and 30th of July in your agenda! More info will follow later!
Team Player?
Maybe you would like to help make this event a success? You can, because the Olympic Festival requires the help of about 100 volunteers. You too can be part of this team! More info via this link
Performances by Top Belgian Artists
Of course, a festival would not be a festival without music. So, for 17 days, various Belgian artists will provide blissful summer beats and musical sing-alongs in Middelkerke. Famous DJs coming to play a set include Louis XIV, Proudmich, Shutterz, DJ Thyaz and DJ No Rules! The opening night, Friday, July 26 (with a performance by Daan), is reserved for the Olympic family and invited guests.
Admission to the Olympic Festival is free except for three times: - the family day on Sunday, July 28 from 10 am to 4 pm (including a festive DJ set by Ketnet wrappers Sarah and Héritier, additional children's entertainment and another performance by a top Belgian artist); - Saturday, August 3, from 7:45 p.m. (performance by Tourist LeMC, among others, with songs from his best-of-album 'Onderweg', which will be released on June 21); - Saturday, August 10, from 6 p.m. (performance by Buscemi and Laurent Wery). Tickets for these moments cost 20 euros, children up to 6 years old have free admission. Tickets can be ordered as of now via this link: https://olympicfestival.be/tickets .
Easy to reach
Middelkerke is easily accessible by public transportation. From anywhere on the coast you can take the coastal streetcar to Middelkerke. If you come from further away, take the train to neighboring Ostend and there take the coastal streetcar. If you come by car, there are four nearby paying car parks: Bovenparking Duinenweg, René Mouchotteplein, Parking Koninginnelaan and Middelkerke center. (Source: BOIC)