03 / FIGHTBASE CITIES

NL

Alkmaar

Alkmaar is a city in North Holland with more than 113,000 inhabitants, known for its cheese market and the siege of 1573. The city has a strong kickboxing tradition: with gyms such as Loeks Gym, M-Sports and Movin' Gym, and a municipal council that explicitly chose in 2012 to allow kickboxing events.

At a glance

Country NETHERLANDS  Netherlands Region North Holland
Gyms - Fighters - Trainers - Events - Venues - Organizations -

Introduction

FightBase story

About this city

Alkmaar is a municipality in the province of North Holland. On January 1, 2026, the municipality had 113,196 inhabitants and covered an area of 117.35 km². Since 2015, the former municipalities of Graft-De Rijp and Schermer have also been part of Alkmaar. The city was granted city rights in 1254 and is known for the Siege of Alkmaar in 1573 and the traditional cheese market on Waagplein.
In martial arts, Alkmaar is primarily a kickboxing city. Loeks Gym has offered kickboxing and Muay Thai since 1993; kickboxer Gago Drago, winner of the 2010 Enfusion tournament, fights out of Alkmaar and trains there under Peter van Os. M-Sports and Movin' Gym are other kickboxing schools in the city.

While other cities banned kickboxing galas, the Alkmaar municipal council passed a motion in 2012 welcoming such galas. In 2014, the House of Pain gala was held at Sporthal de Hoornse Vaart, followed in 2015 by the fifth edition of the Alkmaar kickboxing gala. The city also has karate and judo schools, such as S.K.V. Funakoshi and ASK Johan Bult.

FightBase story

Overview

Cheese city with a kickboxing tradition

With 113,196 inhabitants (January 1, 2026), Alkmaar is one of the larger cities in North Holland. Outside the city, Alkmaar is known for the cheese market and football club AZ, but the city also has its own place in martial arts. In particular, kickboxing kickboxing

is strongly represented, with several gyms and recurring fight events.

Wide range

FightBase story

Geography and character

City and surrounding area

The municipality of Alkmaar covers 117.35 km², of which more than 7 km² is water, and comprises 17 settlements, 11 districts, and 66 neighbourhoods. Following the 2015 merger, the villages of the former municipalities of Graft-De Rijp and Schermer also fall under Alkmaar.

Cheese market

The traditional cheese market on Waagplein is held from the first Friday in April to the first Friday in September. It is one of the four traditional cheese markets in the Netherlands.

FightBase story

History

City rights and sieges

The name Alkmaar already appears in a document from the 10th century; in 1254, the city was granted city rights. In 1573 Alkmaar was besieged by Spanish troops led by Don Fadrique, who withdrew when the water rose. On January 1, 2015, Graft-De Rijp and Schermer were incorporated into the municipality.

Kickboxing galas in the city

In February 2012, when cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Hoorn were banning or discouraging kickboxing galas, the Alkmaar municipal council adopted a VVD motion welcoming such galas. On September 13, 2014, the gala House of Pain took place at Sporthal de Hoornse Vaart, featuring seven professional bouts, including two European title fights. In April 2015, the fifth edition of the Alkmaar kickboxing gala focused primarily on youth and local talent.

FightBase story

Martial arts landscape

Kickboxing and Muay Thai

Loeks Gym on Edisonweg has existed since 1993 and offers kickboxing and Muay Thai under the direction of Peter van Os. Gago Drago trains there Gago Drago, who fights out of Alkmaar; he became European Muay Thai champion (WMTC, 2004), won the Enfusion tournament up to 70 kilos in 2010, and reached the semifinals of the K-1 World MAX twice. M-Sports opened in November 2011 as Marino Schouten's kickboxing school, and in 2014 he was also listed on the House of Pain card.

Clubs and competitive fighters

Movin' Gym on Walruskoog offers kickboxing and boxing. According to its own website, fighters from the gym competed at events in Heerhugowaard (The Smash 2) and Beverwijk (Team Spirit 8). At the fifth Alkmaar event in 2015, among others, 13-year-old Frans Schouten and Regillio van den Ent competed.

Martial arts facts

Gago Drago
Kickboxer, fights out of Alkmaar at Loeks Gym
Enfusion Tournament Winner -70 kg (2010) Gago Drago
Loeks Gym
Kickboxing and Muay Thai since 1993
under the leadership of Peter van Os Loeks Gym Alkmaar
City Council on kickboxing events
Motion passed welcoming kickboxing events
February 2012 A warm welcome to the kickboxing gala in Alkmaar
Fifth Alkmaar Kickboxing Gala
Gala focusing on youth and local talent
April 2015 Fifth Alkmaar kickboxing gala focuses primarily on youth and local talent
House of Pain
Kickboxing gala at Sporthal de Hoornse Vaart
13 September 2014, seven professional bouts Kickboxing gala at Hoornse Vaart
S.K.V. Funakoshi
Karate since 1972
c/o Hargewaard 128, Alkmaar S.K.V. Funakoshi
M-Sports
Kickboxing school, first classes on November 28, 2011
founded by Marino Schouten M-Sports Alkmaar

Data last checked on 8 October 2026

Improve FightBase Do you see an error?

Is information missing or is something incorrect? Send us a correction or addition.