Can PhD students use ACLO?

If you are registered as a student and have an s-number, yes, at the student rate, like other students. With a p-number you are an employee: you can't buy an ACLO card, but you can join SPR.

What does SPR cost and what do I get?

€10 a month, charged every three months. You can join SPR hours, ACLO group classes and open hours, use the gym as often as you like, book courts and halls, and join ACLO courses when places are left. You can't join a student sports association.

Can I cancel SPR any time?

Only after the first year, and then per quarter, at least two weeks before the end of the quarter, by email to SPR. Your membership doesn't stop automatically when your contract ends.

Can my partner join SPR?

Partners of staff recruited from abroad by the University of Groningen in the last two years can join for up to one year; Dual Career Support checks this. There is no such arrangement for partners of Hanze staff.

Guide for internationals

Sports for PhD students and university staff in Groningen

ACLO is for students, SPR is for staff. Which one is yours, what it costs, and what your partner can use.

ACLO or SPR?

PhD with an s-number

You're registered as a student: buy the ACLO card at the student rate (€79,95 a year), and you can join student associations.

Staff, or PhD with a p-number

You're an employee: no ACLO card, but SPR, the staff sports association of the university and Hanze, gives you most of the same facilities.

sprsport.nl

SPR in short

€10a month, charged every three months. A day pass costs €9,95 at the Sports Centre desk.
90+ sportsSPR hours, ACLO group classes and open hours, the gym, and courts and halls you can book for free.
1 yearminimum. After that you can cancel per quarter. It doesn't stop when your contract ends: email SPR.

Partner moved with you? Partners of University of Groningen staff recruited from abroad in the last two years can join SPR for up to a year, checked by Dual Career Support. Fill in your partner's staff number when you sign up and write “partner” in the comments.

Compared with other options

Option	4 months	12 months	Good to know
SPR (staff of the university and Hanze)	€120	€120	€10 a month, minimum one year. Uses the ACLO facilities.
Cheapest gym (Campo Health Center)	€166	€344,86	Campo Health Center Onbeperkt fitness, 3 maanden for 4 months; Basic-Fit Comfort, jaarabonnement for a year, including registration fees and the minimum term. Compare all 11
Football club (V.V. Mamio)	€200	€200	Clubs charge per season: the fee is the same if you stay four months.
Swimming once a week	€98,60	€301,60	From €5,80 a visit at Zwembad De Parrel. All pools
Bouldering once a week	€161,50	€494	From €9,50 a visit at Gropo, shoe rental extra.
Stadspark parkrun	Free	Free	Every Saturday at 9:00.

Totals for training once a week (17 or 52 visits) where you pay per visit. Prices checked in October 2026 on the providers' own sites.

Clubs outside the university

Rather sport with people from outside work? These clubs are open to everyone and say internationals are welcome.

Open to everyone

Open Yoga

Classes in English

One of the teachers gives classes in English. Source: openyoga.nl
Balletschool Wanda Kuiper

Internationals welcome

English-speaking students are welcome, and there is a classical ballet class for beginners for internationals. Source: wandakuiperballet.com
V.V. Mamio

Internationals welcome

A football club for adults of all levels where international players come together. €200 a year, or €100 for training only. Source: vvmamiogroningen.nl
Gronical Dizziness

Internationals welcome

Ultimate frisbee: mostly Dutch members, but also many from abroad. Students can start with a free five-week course via ACLO. Source: ACLO

This week

At clubs where internationals are welcome

Today17:45 Klassiek ballet midden niv 18+/volwDance · Balletschool Wanda KuiperInternationals welcome Go together
Tomorrow20:45 Classical ballet basic/beginners. internationalsDance · Balletschool Wanda KuiperClass for internationals Go together

Open to everyone, beginners welcome

Saturday09:00Stadspark parkrun5 km run, walk or jog · Stadspark · freeEvery week
Today19:00 MaandaggroepRunning · Groningen AtletiekTrial possible Go together
Today19:15 Trimzwemmen beginnendSwimming · Groninger Zwemvereniging TriViaBeginners welcome Go together
Today20:00 Langzwaard Beginners + RekrutenMulti-sport · MARS - Vechtschool voor middeleeuwse krijgskunsten Noord-NederlandTrial possible Go together
Today20:15 Maandagavond recreanten publieksuurIce skating · STV EemsmondTrial possible Go together
Tomorrow18:30 Beginners DinsdagDance · Dansschool PendulumTrial possible Go together
Tomorrow20:30 Dames WeerbaarheidstrainingMartial arts · Go SmartsTrial possible Go together
Wednesday18:00 Dance FitnessFitness · RhythMotion Dance Fitness · €10 a visitTrial possible Go together
Wednesday19:30 BasistrainingCanoe & SUP · Groninger Kano VerenigingBeginners welcome Go together

Class pages open in Dutch, as the clubs publish them; your browser can translate them. “Go together” starts a group in English that others can join.

Questions

Can PhD students use ACLO?: If you are registered as a student and have an s-number, yes, at the student rate, like other students. With a p-number you are an employee: you can't buy an ACLO card, but you can join SPR.
What does SPR cost and what do I get?: €10 a month, charged every three months. You can join SPR hours, ACLO group classes and open hours, use the gym as often as you like, book courts and halls, and join ACLO courses when places are left. You can't join a student sports association.
Can I cancel SPR any time?: Only after the first year, and then per quarter, at least two weeks before the end of the quarter, by email to SPR. Your membership doesn't stop automatically when your contract ends.
Can my partner join SPR?: Partners of staff recruited from abroad by the University of Groningen in the last two years can join for up to one year; Dual Career Support checks this. There is no such arrangement for partners of Hanze staff.

Checked on 25 Oct 2026

Everything on this page comes from the clubs' and organisations' own pages. Times and fees change; the club's own site has the last word. Is your club welcoming to internationals, or do you train in English? Let us know.

Sources (7)