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KNVB — Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond

The Netherlands’ football association, which describes itself as the country’s largest sports federation with more than 1.2 million members; UEFA dates it to 1889 and lists it as a founder member of FIFA in 1904.
✓ Last reviewed: October 2026
Founded1889, as the Nederlandse Voetbal en Atletiek Bond, per UEFA[1]
HeadquartersKNVB Football Campus, Zeist, per UEFA[1]
International federationFIFA, founder member in 1904, per UEFA[1][2]
Continental bodyUEFA[3]
PresidentFrank Paauw (as listed by UEFA and FIFA, October 2026)[1][2]

What is the KNVB?

The Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond (KNVB), the Royal Netherlands Football Association, is the national association for football in the Netherlands. It describes itself as “een begrip in Nederland, als grootste sportbond met ruim 1,2 miljoen leden en meer dan 500 medewerkers” — a household name and, by its own account, the country’s largest sports federation, with more than 1.2 million members and over 500 staff.[4] UEFA records that it received the designation “Koninklijke” (Royal) in 1929, on its 40th birthday.[1]

What does the KNVB govern or do?

The KNVB is organised in two branches, amateur football (amateurvoetbal) and professional football (betaald voetbal), with the amateur game run through districts.[4] It supports club volunteers through a knowledge platform, KNVB Assist.[5] UEFA notes that the association’s campus in Zeist, developed with support from UEFA’s HatTrick programme, houses training facilities, a sports medical centre, education spaces and offices.[1]

When was the KNVB founded and where is it based?

UEFA records that Pim Mulier founded the Nederlandse Voetbal en Atletiek Bond in 1889, that the Nederlandse Voetbalbond (NVB) launched a more organised competition in 1897/98, and that the association took the royal designation in 1929.[1] In 1954, by UEFA’s account, the KNVB merged with the NBVB, “signalling the arrival of professionalism”.[1]

Its offices are at the KNVB Football Campus in Zeist.[1]

How is the KNVB recognised?

FIFA. FIFA’s directory of member associations lists the Royal Netherlands Football Association under the confederation UEFA, with knvb.nl as its website.[2] UEFA gives the KNVB’s FIFA affiliation as 1904 and describes it as a founder member.[1]

UEFA. UEFA lists the Netherlands among its 55 member associations and names Frank Paauw, president since 2024, and Gijs de Jong, general secretary since 2017.[1][3]

What does the KNVB organise?

The KNVB lists among its competitions the VriendenLoterij Eredivisie, the Keuken Kampioen Divisie and the Eurojackpot KNVB Beker, the national cup.[4] Its site reports news from both amateur and professional football.[5] UEFA dates organised national competition to 1897/98, after several seasons of ad hoc matches, and the arrival of professionalism to the 1954 merger with the NBVB.[1]

Who are its members?

The KNVB states that it has more than 1.2 million members (as published in October 2026).[4] UEFA records that it registered its one millionth member in 1978.[1] Its site refers, in connection with one partnership, to 625 amateur clubs taking part.[5]

References

  1. UEFA — National associations: Netherlands (KNVB profile and history). Accessed 2026-10-05.
  2. FIFA — Member associations: Netherlands. Accessed 2026-10-05.
  3. UEFA — National associations (list of 55 member associations). Accessed 2026-10-05.
  4. KNVB — Over de KNVB. Accessed 2026-10-05.
  5. KNVB — official website (home page). Accessed 2026-10-05.