The Eagle Cup is an international karate kumite tournament held in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. It is officially recognized as an OAV event by the Karate-do Bond Nederland (KBN) and is organized by René Smaal Karate. The tournament uses a round-robin format, ensuring multiple matches per athlete, and is focused on high-quality competition, fair play, and development for athletes of all levels.

The Eagle Cup takes place on Sunday, September 7th, 2025, at Omnisport Apeldoorn, a premier sports venue centrally located in the Netherlands. 

Apeldoorn is a centrally located city in the Netherlands, known for its green surroundings, royal heritage, and excellent sports infrastructure — including Omnisport Apeldoorn, a world-class venue.

The city is easily accessible from several major European cities, making it an ideal location for international events like the Eagle Cup:

• Amsterdam – just 1 hour by car or train

• Cologne (Germany) – approx. 2 hours

• Antwerp (Belgium) – approx. 2 hours

• Liège (Belgium) – approx. 2.5 hours

• Bremen (Germany) – approx. 3 hours

Whether you're traveling from the Netherlands, Belgium, or Germany, Apeldoorn offers excellent road and rail connections, making it a convenient hub for athletes and coaches from across Europe.

The tournament is open to all karateka up to U21, regardless of belt level or nationality. While all participants are welcome, the Eagle Cup is designed for athletes who are actively training and competing, and who are looking for a serious and well-organized tournament experience.

In a Round-Robin format, each athlete competes against all others in their pool, guaranteeing multiple matches per participant. This system ensures fairness and offers athletes more opportunity to gain experience, improve, and showcase their skills.

Yes, the Eagle Cup is a kumite-only tournament. It’s powered by René Smaal Karate, a dojo known for developing national and international kumite champions. With this event, we want to offer athletes a solid, well-organized competition where they can test themselves and grow — no fuss, just good karate.

Omnisport Apeldoorn is a state-of-the-art indoor sports complex that regularly hosts national and international sporting events. Its professional facilities, central location, and capacity make it an ideal setting for a prestigious karate tournament like the Eagle Cup.

Registration for the tournament is handled through Sportdata, the leading platform for international karate events. More information on Sportdata. 

Yes, all matches at the Eagle Cup are conducted under the World Karate Federation (WKF) rules and regulations, as endorsed by the KBN. This ensures consistency, safety, and high-level refereeing throughout the event. Please read the full convocation at sportdata. 

Athletes must wear a mouthguard, gloves, shin and foot guards, and groin guard. For competitors in the U14 category, a helmet is also mandatory. Helmets will be provided by the organization if needed.

The tournament will feature five tatami areas, allowing for efficient scheduling and smooth progression throughout the day. With an expected participation of over 350 athletes, this setup ensures that all categories can be completed within a single, well-organized competition day — offering a dynamic experience for both athletes and spectators.

Participating in the Eagle Cup Apeldoorn offers athletes a unique chance to compete in a high-level, international environment using a round-robin format. It's an opportunity to gain experience, build confidence, and be part of a professionally organized event that celebrates the values of karate: discipline, respect, resilience, and community.