Since 2012, the Cruyff Foundation has been creating Special Cruyff Courts in the cities hosting the Paralympic Summer Games. These courts are specially designed for children with special needs, promoting equal access to sports for all and raising awareness of the importance of inclusive play.
2024, Paris, France!
In late February 2025, following the 2024 Games in Paris, we will open two Cruyff Courts. The first is a Special Cruyff Court, wheelchair-accessible and designed for Paralympic sports such as boccia, wheelchair basketball, and goalball. The second, located next to it, features an artificial grass surface. Local French partners will oversee the programming, and Cruyff Foundation Coaches will be trained. We are incredibly proud to have established these public sports facilities in collaboration with our partner Action, in a city where play areas are scarce.
2020, Tokyo, Japan!
During the Games in Japan, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Special Cruyff Court was built in Adachi-Ku, Tokyo, at a community sports center. Although sports were already popular in the area, there were no dedicated facilities for young people with special needs. This wheelchair-friendly court, featuring step-free entrances and braille blocks, has made sports accessible to all children. Several special education schools are now actively involved in this project. Thanks to our partners Seacon Logistics and More2Win, this court continues to be widely used to this day!
2016, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil!
In 2016, Edith Schippers, who was then the Dutch Minister of Health, Welfare, and Sport, opened the Cruyff Court Urece in Rio de Janeiro together with Susila Cruyff (daughter of Johan Cruyff), representatives of NOC*NSF and the KNVB (due to the CP team), and Paralympic athletes. The court was inaugurated on the occasion of the Paralympic Games in Brazil. This Cruyff Court is specifically designed for both children and adults with a (visual) disability and is still actively in use today.
2012, London, England!
In 2012, during the London Olympic Games, a Cruyff Court was established in collaboration with the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, Haringey Council (local government), The People’s Postcode Lottery, and our partner Nijha. The court is located in a neighborhood that was heavily affected by riots in 2011 and is part of the regeneration program. During the opening match, the Dutch CP team played against the English CP team, which was a super exciting match!