Skating fans can again take the train directly to Thialf this winter. During four major events, the sprinter between Leeuwarden and Zwolle will stop every half hour at Heerenveen IJsstadion station. The extra stop applies to the World Cup, the NK Allround and Sprint, the EK Allround and Sprint, and the NK Afstanden, all held in December and January. This coming weekend, during the World Cup qualification tournament, trains will still pass the station without stopping. The service is being extended after earlier success.
What this means if you are learning Dutch or new in the Netherlands
If you are planning to attend a skating event at Thialf, the extra train stop makes the journey simpler and more sustainable. It also gives you a chance to practise Dutch in a real setting: station signs, announcements, and conversations with other fans are all useful exposure. Note that the stop is event-specific, so check the timetable before you travel, especially for this weekend's qualifier. For newcomers, the arrangement shows how public transport is adjusted around major events, a pattern you will see elsewhere in the Netherlands.