Eurekaweek 2026

Read all about the Eurekaweek, which takes place from Monday 17 August to Wednesday 19 August. This year, 3,200 first-years take part in the introduction days of Erasmus University. Through fixed programme elements such as Campus Day, the Cantus and the Festival, the new students get to know Rotterdam, the university and each other.

From a first meeting on a terrace to moving in together and getting married: for many, Eurekaweek is the starting point for a relationship or friendship. Ahead of the 53rd edition, one couple and two friends talk about how they met and what it all led to.

Eurekaweek is organised every year by a group of enthusiastic students who devote a year of their studies to ensuring a fantastic introductory week for first-year students. And to keep it fun for themselves as well, the committee went for a nice game of bowling together in the summer.

Going to university also means many students have to take care of themselves, move into student accommodation and start paying for their own food and social life. How do you make sure you get to the end of the month with your budget? Here are 5 tips to save money and still have a good time.

3,200 students will register at Ahoy this Sunday to take part in Eurekaweek 2026. That is 500 students down from last year, but assistant project leader Dayna Naujoks and the organising team are nevertheless in a good mood looking ahead to the opening with confidence.

Eurekaweek gets off to a quiet start on Sunday with registration on campus and an introduction to your group. There is no other programme, but if you want to let your hair down on this first day, Rotterdam fortunately has plenty to offer.

When registering for the Eurekaweek on Sunday, it is not only students you see around campus, but also their parents. What will they miss now that their children are leaving home?

Eurekaweek officially begins on Monday. The day starts with opening ceremony at Ahoy, continues with campus day, and ends with Maassilo Shuffle.

Eurekaweek kicked off officially on Monday morning in a sweltering Ahoy hall. 3,200 – mostly nervous – new students, the Rotterdam song, sports and social clubs, and several speeches were the ingredients for the start of the introduction week.

Woudestein Campus was packed with stalls on Monday for the first day of Eurekaweek. There was something to be had almost everywhere for curious first-year students. From bottle openers to pens and key rings, you didn’t have to go home empty-handed.

As well as being a reporter for EM, Ruben van Doorn is a first-year student, so he is taking part in Eurekaweek himself. He likes a good party, which is why he visited the associations during Campus Day on Monday to ask: what makes your parties so special? And which other society throws great parties?

The second day of Eurekaweek starts with the Sports & Play programme. For Master students, the day offers workshops and introduction to different companies. In the evening, it is time for the most famous part of Eurekaweek, the cantus.

Reporter Saskia Elektra challenges students to climbing, rugby and cycling. The students are impressed by the many sports being showcased at Excelsior’s grounds during the Eurekaweek Sports & Play event.

The last day of Eurekaweek introduces students to the city’s many museums, an activity called Rotterdam Mozaic.  The final event of this year’s Eurekaweek is the festival during which students can listen to artists live, dance, sing, and party all night long.