WMC 2026

For more information about the WMC 2026 program, visit www.wmc.nl. For more information and the program for BLOW! WMC óp d'r Maat and BLOW! WMC in 't Sjtadspark, visit www.blowbywmc.nl.

During the WMC, additional traffic measures will be in effect in downtown Kerkrade. Visitors can park in the designated parking areas. The maps below show all available parking locations. The text provides the same information as the maps. 

Please note that some streets are temporarily closed. Therefore, follow the detour routes and the instructions of traffic controllers. That way, you'll get to the right place quickly.

Parking During WMC 2026

Parking

• Station Parking Lot (free)
• Vie-Centrum Parking Garage (free)
• Erenstein Parking Lot (free)
• Kosterbeemden Parking Lot (free)
• Parking Lanes on Hammolenweg (Free)
• Parking zones on J.S. Bachstraat (paid)
• Europaplein Parking Lot (paid)
• Kloosterraderplein Parking Lot (paid)
• Old Hickoryplein Parking Lot (free)
• Einderstraat Parking Lot (free)
• Hertogenlaan Parking Lot (free)
• Maria Goretti Square Parking Lot (free)
• Parking Lanes on Ventweg and Kerkradersteenweg (paid)
• Kerkplein Parking Lot (paid)

Parking on the sidewalk

• Caspar Sprokelstraat (free)
• Stationsstraat (paid)
• Voorterstraat (free)

Bicycle parking 

Are you coming by bike? If so, you can park your bike for free in a secure, covered facility at Fietspunt Kerkrade-Centrum. The bike parking facility is located at Sibeliuspassage 8.

Hours of operation during the WMC (July 9 through August 2):

• Monday: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday and Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
• Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.

Parking at Parkstad Limburg Stadium

Are you visiting the stadium by bike or scooter? If so, you can park your bike or scooter for free in the public, unattended parking area at P2.

Are you traveling by public transportation? The Parkstad Stadion bus stop in Kerkrade is located about 200 meters from the stadium and is easily accessible on foot. Use Arriva’s trip planner to find current departure times, any detours, and the fastest route to Kerkrade. You can easily plan your trip via www.arriva.nl/plan-je-reis/reisplanner.

If you're driving, you can use the public parking lots at the stadium, the former Intratuin complex on Wiebachstraat, the Spekholzerheide industrial park, and Flexiforum.

Please follow the on-site signage and the instructions of the traffic controllers.

Temporary Traffic Measures on the Roda JC Ring

Roda JC Ring will temporarily become a one-way street to improve traffic flow during the marching and show competitions. This will make it easier for visitors to the Leisuredome, as well as shoppers and business customers in the area, to continue on their way.

How's the traffic?

• Roda JC Ring will be one-way; please follow the signs on site.
• The measure applies from the roundabout on Euregioweg to the intersection of Roda JC Ring and Wiebachstraat. 
• These traffic restrictions will be in effect from Thursday, July 9, through Monday, August 3. 

Temporary Traffic Measures Around the Rodahal 

During the WMC, one-way traffic will be in effect on the streets around the Rodahal. This will ensure that traffic can flow more safely and smoothly.

What will change?

• Van Beethovenstraat and Diepenbrockstraat are temporarily one-way streets.
• This applies from the intersection of Mozartstraat and Van Beethovenstraat to the intersection of Diepenbrockstraat and J.S. Bachstraat.
• These traffic restrictions will be in effect from Thursday, July 9, through Monday, August 3. 

Temporary Traffic Measures on Mozartstraat 

From Friday, July 17, through Sunday, July 19, Mozartstraat will temporarily become a one-way street. During this time, you will only be able to drive from Wijngracht toward Van Beethovenstraat. 

Bicycle parking

Are you coming by bike? If so, you can park your bike for free in a secure, covered facility at Fietspunt Kerkrade-Centrum. The bike parking facility is located at Sibeliuspassage 8.

Hours of operation during the WMC (July 9 through August 2):

• Monday: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday and Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
• Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.

Public transportation

Would you like to take public transportation to the WMC? If so, plan your trip in advance so you know exactly which bus or train connection works best for your visit. Use Arriva’s trip planner to find current departure times, any detours, and the fastest route to Kerkrade.

You can easily plan your trip via www.arriva.nl/plan-je-reis/reisplanner.

That way, you'll be well-prepared for the trip and arrive at the WMC feeling relaxed.

Parkstad Limburg Stadium

Are you visiting the stadium by bike or scooter? If so, you can park your bike or scooter for free in the public, unattended parking area at P2.

Are you traveling by public transportation? The Parkstad Stadion bus stop in Kerkrade is located about 200 meters from the stadium and is easily accessible on foot. Use Arriva’s trip planner to find current departure times, any detours, and the fastest route to Kerkrade.

You can easily plan your trip via www.arriva.nl/plan-je-reis/reisplanner.

Heat and Safety 

During the WMC, summer temperatures can rise significantly. So please take good care of yourselves and look out for one another.

Drink enough water

Be sure to drink enough water throughout the day. 

• On the " Markt " and at the entrance to the Stadspark, there is a WML water station where you can fill up your water bottle for free. 
• Visitors to the Parkstad Limburg Stadium may bring in a bottle of water holding up to 0.5 liters. You can refill it for free at the restrooms. 
• Free drinking water is available near the restrooms at the Rodahal and Theater Kerkrade.

Beat the heat 

Don't stay in the sun too long, especially during the hottest part of the day. Seek shade regularly. Wear light, breathable clothing, a cap or hat, and sunglasses. Be sure to apply sunscreen regularly as well.

Inside the tent at the Markt , fans provide cooling. In addition, the tent fabric is partly made of opaque material, which creates shaded areas. 

Visitors to the Parkstad Limburg Theater who are sitting in the sun in the stands are advised to go out to the concourse every now and then to cool off. 

For more information about heat and helpful tips for dealing with extreme summer temperatures, visit www.kerkrade.nl/hitte

First Aid 

Are you feeling unwell, or does someone around you need medical assistance? If so, please go to a first-aid station. First-aid stations are located at the Parkstad Limburg Stadium, the Rodahal, and on the Markt. The first-aid station on the Markt also serves Theater Kerkrade and the Stadspark. In addition, the Parkstad Limburg Stadium has first-aid stations in the corners of the stands, ensuring that help can arrive quickly.

Restrooms

In addition to the restrooms at event venues, you can easily find the nearest public restrooms using the HogeNood app. The app also shows you which facilities are available, such as wheelchair-accessible restrooms, restrooms with a baby-changing station, and the current hours of operation.

Download the HogeNood app from the App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android).

Due to the World Music Competition (WMC), the weekly market in downtown Kerkrade will temporarily move to an alternative location. From July 3 through July 31, the weekly market will be held on Poststraat/Hoofdstraat.

Giveaway

Are you planning to visit the weekly market at its temporary location and make a purchase there? If so, you’ll receive a form at the vendor’s stall. Fill out the form for a chance to win great prizes, such as free tickets to GaiaZOO or a “Beleef Kerkrade” gift card worth 100 euros.

How does it work?

1. Buy something tasty or beautiful at the weekly market in July
2. Fill in your information on the form you receive
3. Drop the form in the special box at the old post office on the corner of Hoofdstraat and Poststraat for a chance to win great prizes

During the WMC, a team of staff members will be working every day to keep the city clean and tidy. Please use the trash cans in the city center and along the routes if you need to throw something away.

Do you see anything that stands out, such as:

• litter that remains on the ground
• a full trash can
• damage

In that case, you can easily report it using the BuitenBeter app. You can download the BuitenBeter app from the Google Play Store or the App Store. Due to high volume, it may sometimes take a little longer for a report to be addressed, but we’re doing our best to resolve everything as quickly as possible.

Questions or reports regarding the WMC organization

For matters directly related to the organization of the WMC—such as the program, tickets that have not been received, accessibility to the event grounds, questions from business owners or residents within the event grounds, or the availability of reserved parking spaces—please contact the WMC organization at 045 545 50 00. This number is available daily (Monday through Sunday) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Reporting Disturbances During the WMC

You can report nuisances such as parking violations, noise disturbances, juvenile delinquency, public urination, public intoxication, or vandalism to the Enforcement Department at 045 567 63 48. Enforcement is available Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. From July 6 through August 2, adjusted hours of operation apply: Monday through Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to midnight.

If you notice anything out of the ordinary, such as damage, litter that hasn’t been picked up, or a full trash can, you can easily report it via BuitenBeter at . You can download the BuitenBeter app from the Google Play Store at or from the App Store at . Due to high volume, it may sometimes take a little longer for a report to be addressed, but we’re doing our best to resolve everything as quickly as possible.

Emergencies or reports outside of business hours

In the event of acute disturbances, serious crime, or situations outside of the Enforcement Department’s business hours, please contact the police immediately at 0900 – 88 44. In an emergency, call 112.  

Opening Parade 

On Thursday, July 9, the WMC opening parade will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information about the opening parade program, visit the WMC website at.

Route

The parade route is as follows: Caspar Sprokelstraat (start), Kapelweg (station), Stationsstraat-Grupellostraat, Hoofdstraat, Oranjestraat, Koninginnestraat, Niersprinkstraat (downtown), Poststraat, Hoofdstraat (downtown), Markt (parade), Kapelweg (downtown), Caspar Sprokelstraat (end).

During the opening parade, additional traffic restrictions will be in effect in downtown Kerkrade. Visitors can park in the designated parking areas. The map below shows all available parking locations. The text provides the same information as the maps. 

Please note that some streets are temporarily closed. Therefore, follow the detour routes and the instructions of traffic controllers. That way, you'll get to the right place quickly.

Schedule 

• Traffic restrictions will go into effect on Thursday, July 9, starting at 4:00 p.m. For more information about traffic restrictions during the WMC, see the “Detours” section.
• De Putgang and Caspar Sprokelstraat will be closed to all traffic on July 9, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.
• The opening parade begins at 6:00 p.m.
• We expect most traffic restrictions related to the opening parade to be lifted at 8:00 p.m. Only Putgang and Caspar Sprokelstraat will remain closed at that time.

Parking for the opening parade on July 9

Parking

• Station Parking Lot (free)
• Vie-Centrum Parking Garage (free) - Please note: On July 9, access is limited to 3:00 p.m. This parking garage will reopen at 8:00 p.m. You can exit at any time.
• Erenstein Parking Lot (free)
• Kosterbeemden Parking Lot (free) - Please note: On July 9, access is limited until 3:00 p.m. The parking garage will reopen at 8:00 p.m. You can exit at any time.
• Parking Lanes on Hammolenweg (Free)
• Parking zones on J.S. Bachstraat (paid)
• Europaplein Parking Lot (paid)
• Kloosterraderplein Parking Lot (paid)
• Old Hickoryplein Parking Lot (free)
• Einderstraat Parking Lot (free)
• Hertogenlaan Parking Lot (free)
• Maria Goretti Square Parking Lot (free)
• Parking Lanes on Ventweg and Kerkradersteenweg (paid)
• Kerkplein Parking Lot (paid)

Parking on the sidewalk

• Voorterstraat (free)

Bicycle parking 

Are you coming by bike? If so, you can park your bike for free in a secure, covered facility at Fietspunt Kerkrade-Centrum. The bike parking facility is located at Sibeliuspassage 8.

Hours of operation during the WMC (July 9 through August 2):

• Monday: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday and Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
• Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.

Public transportation

Would you like to take public transportation to the opening parade? If so, plan your trip in advance so you know exactly which bus or train connection works best for your visit. Use Arriva’s trip planner to find current departure times, any detours, and the fastest route to Kerkrade.

You can easily plan your trip via www.arriva.nl/plan-je-reis/reisplanner.

That way, you'll be well-prepared when you set out and arrive at the opening parade feeling relaxed.