Work begins on new FC Twente-Heracles academy complex

Construction has begun on a new training facility for the joint FC Twente/Heracles Academy at Sportpark Veldwijk in Hengelo. Contractor Haafkes is carrying out the first phase beside the football pitches, before renovation work begins on the academy’s existing area within the FBK Stadium.

The initial development will provide a new canteen and changing rooms. Together with the renovated stadium space, those additions will form the academy’s full accommodation. The existing stadium building is also used by athletics club MPM, and the municipality will discuss practical arrangements with both organisations, including access, visibility and daily use.

FC Twente and Heracles Almelo have operated their combined academy since 2020, with the aim of developing regional talent for professional football. The clubs say the expanded facility will create more room for that work. Academy manager Jaap Noltes described the project as a “necessary and important step forward” in comments published by Heracles Almelo, linking it to the academy’s ambition of becoming one of the Netherlands’ top five youth systems.

Hengelo alderman Benno Brand said the development would strengthen Sportpark Veldwijk as a location for community sport, talent development and elite competition. Agreements have also been recorded regarding coordination between the academy, the stadium’s athletics function and events. The entire complex is scheduled to be ready in 2028.