5,000 international participants to attend European Stroke Organisation Conference
In 2026, Maastricht will welcome one of the most influential international conferences in stroke care and neurology: the 12th European Stroke Organisation Conference from 6 to 8 May 2026. After previous editions of the event held in Munich, Helsinki, Basel and other cities, the conference will take place at the MECC Maastricht, adjacent to the Maastricht UMC+ and Maastricht University’s medical faculty. Over 5,000 participants from more than 100 countries are expected to attend this edition.
It is estimated that more than 1.5 million people are affected by stroke in Europe each year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), stroke is the most likely cause of death and permanent disability worldwide. This not only highlights the global relevance of this conference but also underlines the urgency of cross-border cooperation and innovation in stroke care.
Dutch MR CLEAN study as strong catalyst
Part of the reason Maastricht was chosen as the location is the international impact of the MR CLEAN study – a Dutch breakthrough in the treatment of acute stroke. Led by Maastricht UMC+, Erasmus UMC Rotterdam and Amsterdam UMC, and initiated at the request of the Dutch Heart Foundation, this study was the first to convincingly demonstrate that endovascular treatment via catheterisation can be life-saving and function-restoring in acute stroke. Within just a few months, this approach became the standard worldwide.
The impact is unprecedented: thanks to this treatment, patients who previously would have remained disabled are often able to return to work and lead independent lives. The New England Journal of Medicine called MR CLEAN ‘one of the most valuable clinical studies from the past 20 years’. The study gave a huge boost to the annual European Stroke Organisation Conference, helping to increase attendance tenfold in ten years.
Prof. Dr Van Zwam as chairman: world-renowned in stroke care
The local organisation of the conference is in the hands of Prof. Dr. Wim van Zwam, interventional radiologist at Maastricht UMC+ and one of the initiators of the MR CLEAN study. Together with Prof. Dr. Robert van Oostenbrugge, a neurologist at Maastricht UMC+, he is a key figure in national and international stroke research.
‘It’s a special honour to be able to organise this conference in Maastricht,’ says Van Zwam. ‘The conference centre, hospital, university and innovative companies are literally a stone’s throw away from each other here. Having these facilities for healthcare, science and technology in such close proximity to one another is rare in Europe.’
The city of Maastricht also offers good value for money, a rich history and a compact nature that makes it an excellent choice for a conference of this scale. ‘Everything is within walking distance, cycling is easy and the city is easily accessible via international train connections and the nearby Düsseldorf and Brussels airports. Thanks to an online booking tool, it’s easy for conference delegates to book combined shuttle services from the airports,’ says Jurgen Moors, director of Maastricht Convention Bureau and closely involved in the bidding process together with Prof. Dr. Van Zwam and MECC Maastricht.
Maastricht in top form as host city
Hosting a multi-day conference has a substantial economic impact. All the hotel rooms in the Maastricht area will be booked, transport companies will offer customised solutions, and hospitality and event venues will be ready to welcome thousands of international guests. The renovated MECC Maastricht, strategically located in the heart of the Brightlands Maastricht Health Campus and fully equipped for conferences of this size, forms the ideal backdrop.
John Aarts, Alderman for the City of Maastricht: ‘This conference brings together science, healthcare innovation and international collaboration in our city and offers a huge social and economic spin-off effect. It reaffirms Maastricht’s reputation as a top destination for knowledge-intensive events.’
Frank Mimpen, MECC Maastricht Commercial Director: ‘Hosting ESOC represents a real milestone for us, yielding the highest number of conference participants ever at MECC Maastricht. The fact that we are able to facilitate this with ease shows that our recent renovation and upgrade project is achieving its objectives – one of which is being able to welcome larger events like this one.’
International connections in research and education
Maastricht University underscores the importance of the arrival of this conference to the city. Closely intertwined with Maastricht UMC+, the university plays a central role in European neuro-research. Its own School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs) also coordinates the European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), an international alliance of seven universities in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France and Luxembourg. The fact that Maastricht steers this network highlights the strong position the city enjoys in the European neurological research field – and emphasises the conference’s academic value.
Future vision
Together with the World Stroke Organization (WSO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the researchers, including Prof. van Zwam, are committed to scaling up innovative stroke treatments worldwide. The 12th European Stroke Organisation Conference in 2026 will provide a powerful international platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration and accelerating innovations that save lives – now and in the future.
Picture from left to right:
Standing: Dr. Sanne de Boer (MUMC+), Ingrid Grimbergen (Maastricht Convention Bureau), Jurgen Moors (Maastricht Convention Bureau), Dr. Inger de Ridder (MUMC+), Dr. Martine Truijman (MUMC+), Dr. Bart Wagemans (MUMC+), Tom Swaen (Maastricht Convention Bureau), Dr. Christiaan van der Leij (MUMC+).
On the bench: Charles Beckers (MECC Maastricht), Prof. Dr. Wim van Zwam (MUMC+), Prof. Dr. Julie Staals (MUMC+), Prof. Dr. Robert van Oostenbrugge (MUMC+)
