thuisspel

Thuisspel is a Dutch-language term that refers to a game or match played at the home venue of one of the participating teams. It is the opposite of an away game (uitwedstrijd). In practice, thuisspel is used in sports journalism and schedules to indicate that the home team is hosting the match at its own stadium, arena, or ground. The term derives from thuis meaning home and spel meaning game or play. While closely related to the more common term thuiswedstrijd, thuisspel emphasizes the hosting act rather than a formal designation, and in many contexts the terms are used interchangeably.

In scheduling and competition formats, thuisspel often involves home-field or home-court advantages, opportunities for local revenues from tickets, concessions, and merchandise, and reduced travel for the hosting team. The concept is relevant across sports such as football (soccer), basketball, field hockey, volleyball, and even esports events, though the preferred terminology can vary by sport and country.

Usage notes: In formal calendars and official regulations, organizers typically refer to thuiswedstrijd for a home game; thuisspel may appear in media reporting or fan discussions as a concise way to describe a home-hosting scenario. Related terms include uitwedstrijd, thuisduel, and thuiswedstrijd.