Euro-Sportring has its origins in founder George Oudt's vision of using sport to connect people. In 1951, he organised the first sports exchange between the Netherlands and Germany. Initially, Euro-Sportring focused on table tennis, but soon found a great need for international meetings, especially in football. From a small office in Amsterdam, the organisation starts linking sports clubs for exchanges.

In 1960, Euro-Sportring officially became a foundation with the mission to bring together European youth through sport. The initiative receives support from national sports organisations and expands to Austria, England and Spain, among others. Volunteers are at the heart of the organisation, which organises exchanges where participants stay with host families for a week and play sports together. For most participants, the sports exchange is their summer holiday at the same time. The sports programme consists of a number of competitions framed by many social hours at the club or community centre.

Originally, participants stay with host families, leading to close friendships. In the 1970s, the focus shifts to tournaments in spring, especially around Easter and Pentecost. As host families do not offer sufficient capacity, this form of accommodation is gradually replaced by group accommodation.

Euro-Sportring increasingly focuses on international tournaments. The number of participating teams grows from 700 to 3,000 and tournaments attract an average of six to ten nationalities. The organisation is becoming more professional, with 16 agents in 12 countries, and the rise of automation significantly increases productivity. National and regional associations increasingly join, opening up new regions.

The number of tournaments and participating teams continues to grow, with 5,000 teams competing annually in 80 tournaments in 12 countries in the 1990s. The fall of the Iron Curtain opens up new opportunities, especially in the Czech Republic, which is given an important role in the programme.

After 2000, participation continues to grow, with 8,000 teams from more than 30 countries annually. Digitalisation allows for more efficient entries and communication. Women's tournaments also become more popular, and Euro-Sportring responds by organising special tournaments for women.

With a new office in Vienna, Euro-Sportring expands its network in Central and Eastern Europe. Large tournaments such as the Wroclaw Trophy attract hundreds of teams. At the same time, the tournament programme is revised: fewer tournaments, but with larger participant numbers. This results in bigger, more competitive events. A partnership with UEFA for the RESPECT and NO TO RACISM campaigns starts in 2015, involving thousands of players.

The scale-up is paying off: in five years, the number of travelling teams grows to 6,000. Digital capabilities help reach clubs and team leaders. Hospitality is becoming a focal point, with professional training for tournament organisers and uniform tournament facilities. The number of large tournaments and participants is growing, and Euro-Sportring is developing new events across Europe. Larger accommodations become essential, with the largest in the Netherlands accommodating 2,000 participants.

Corona pandemic and growth In 2020, the corona pandemic hits Euro-Sportring hard. All tournaments have to be cancelled and the entries of more than 110,000 participants are withdrawn. The organisation ends up in an uncertain period, where it is not clear how long the restrictions will last and when sporting events will be possible again. For two years, several attempts are made to organise tournaments, but travel and organisational restrictions make this impossible. During this period, however, the organisation continues to think ahead and work for the future. Once the pandemic subsides and the restrictions disappear, the demand for international sporting events becomes immediately apparent. 

Tournaments will finally be allowed in 2022. More than 70,000 athletes participate, marking the revival of Euro-Sportring. Growth continues and reaches a record in 2025, with more than 130,000 athletes travelling to one of 80 tournaments in 12 countries. This rapid increase is partly made possible by digitalisation. Euro-Sportring is investing in a more efficient booking and communication system, making it faster and easier for clubs and teams to register. Besides growth, the focus remains on quality. Hospitality will be a focal point: every tournament will have a uniform appearance with hospitality zones, meeting points and improved facilities. Tournament organisers and project managers will be trained to ensure an optimal experience.

Despite the biggest crisis in its history, Euro-Sportring has not only recovered but also strengthened itself. Through digitalisation and quality improvements, the organisation is ready for the future and remains true to its mission: to promote international sporting encounters.