The History

Inspired by technical professional footballers, the contemporary artistic form of street football was created in the mid 90's on the squares of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Led by Edgar Davids and Nike, the game NIKE Panna K.O. was conceived together with street soccer players from Amsterdam.

The first Panna Knock Out tournament took place in 2001. Beyond being a publicity stunt for Nike, it was intended to give street soccer players a serious platform. A number of legendary Nike Panna K.O. tournaments follow until 2006.

On 29 May, a Panna Knock Out tournament is organized for the first time in Obdam (North Holland). More tournaments follow across the country. Names like Soufiane Touzani, Jeand Doest, Sean Garnier, Jack Downer, Kristoffer Liicht, Jermaine Vanenburg and Edward van Gils become involved.

The many tournaments produced many winners. The idea to have them battle each other hatched. The Panna KO Dutch Championships was born. On the Grote Markt in Haarlem, Hoessain Kamal from Alkmaar won the title.

The success of Panna Knock Out is noticed in neighbour country Belgium. After a freestyle show on the TV program HoezO!? a panna tournament follows in Antwerp. The winner qualifies for the Open Dutch Championships Panna 2006.

Pro clubs come knocking. Since 2006, Panna Knock Out organizes tournaments for Dutch clubs like ADO Den Haag, Ajax, AZ, Feyenoord, NEC, Heerenveen and Willem II. Foreign clubs Arsenal, Celtic, Galatasaray, Liverpool and Real Madrid become partners.

During Euro 2008 in Switzerland, the wave of Dutch fans turns Bern orange. A month before, Panna Knock Out visits the city with the Dutch embassy to raise the profile of the Dutch team. Only the second foreign country after Belgium.

The Swiss success repeats in the UK. Tournaments visit Scotland and England, with Celtic, Liverpool and Arsenal as partners. One year later a second tour is organised. And Arsenal wants more.

During the UK Tour 2008, Panna KO visits the Arsenal Cruyff Court Bergkamp in London. Arsenal's coaches are deeply impressed by the game and the skills of the Dutch players. In 2009 they become partners, producing community Panna Knock Out tournaments.

The new Galatasaray trainers Frank Rijkaard and Johan Neeskens are welcomed with a party in Istanbul. At the request of the Dutch consulate, Panna Knock Out introduces the sport from the streets of Holland to the Turkish club.

New countries discovered. Tournaments in Skopje, Macedonia. In Morocco, the crew tours Casablanca, Tanger, Al Hoceima and Nador. Both tours offered by the Dutch embassies.

Panna Brasil is launched in São Paulo on 8 April 2010 in the presence of Dutch ministers Eurlings and Verhagen. With Plataforma Brasil Holanda and the Consulate General, a Brazilian Panna Knock Out team is set up and trained.

In October 2011, Onur Cevik wins the Panna Knock Out tournament in the Turkish city of Iskenderun. He's congratulated by the mayor and receives a ticket for the European Championship. Back home, he gets a badge of honour from local authorities.

The first European Championship Panna Knock Out takes place on 27 May 2012 in Beverwijk. In the final, Dutchman Mo Boutaka defeats the Italian Yassine 'Coyote' Abderrahim.

On 22 November, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander kicks off the Panna Knock Out tournament in the Maracanazinho stadium in Rio de Janeiro. He plays alongside Clarence Seedorf, Aron Winter and Pierre van Hooijdonk.

A record number of tournaments abroad. Panna travels to Brazil, Ukraine, Austria, Poland, Qatar and Spain. In collaboration with embassies and consulates of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Laureus and Panna Knock Out start a collaboration to use the social impact of Panna Knock Out. Legend Edwin van der Sar, ambassador of Laureus Nederland, signs the co-operation agreement.

On 20 September, the first Panna Knock Out tournament is held in Copenhagen. Amin Benmoumo wins and qualifies for the World Championship. Number two is Kristoffer Liicht.

The first World of Streetfootball tournament takes place in Rotterdam. Famous street football players from the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Denmark battle each other. Easy Man becomes the overall winner.

On 21 September, the Panna Knock Out World Championship takes place in Paradiso, Amsterdam, with players from 31 countries. Winner: Belgian Ilyas Toubz.

KNVB street football ambassadors Jeand Doest, Nasser El Jackson, Tom Vegter and Rocky tour and give kids unforgettable days with freestyle, ground moves, street dance, breakdance and freerunning. The promotion video is viewed more than 4 million times on YouTube.

All facets of street football in a single day: from panna to freestyle, from 5v5 to football bowling. On 26 June 2016 in Rotterdam. A unique event with more than 5,000 visitors and 1,000 participants.

The 2016 success gets a follow-up at the Jaarbeurs Utrecht. New innovations like Football Darts and Skills Spot, alongside the Open Dutch Championship Panna and the Dutch Championship Freestyle. Over 1,200 participants. A major success.

On Saturday 7 July, the FOX Sports & Eredivisie Football Festival takes place in Utrecht. The Dutch Open Championship Panna is hosted there. For the first time the Elite Panna Tournament is organized with top players from Denmark, France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.

The Open NK Panna Knock Out returns at the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht on 6 July. In the U15 final Saajan el Jackson beats Mehmet Ezer with a sick panna. Adi wins the 16+ title. Mart Pool is crowned freestyle champion. Evrim Nallar wins the Benelux Cup by panna.

A new concept is launched: pro players give back to their home neighborhoods with Panna Knock Out and Daily Eventz. First PRO cups with Georginio Wijnaldum, Jetro Willems, Nasser el Khayati and Royston Drenthe. All from Rotterdam.

Rappers Kevin & Lijpe drop an ode to street football with Panna Knock Out & Dr. WOOOW: the Panna Knock Out Anthem 'Kilometers'. It goes viral and gold in two months. 8M Spotify streams and 2M YouTube views.

With partner Monta Street, the official Panna Knock Out x Monta Street Streetmatch ball is released. All sales are donated to organize panna events worldwide.

The legendary World of Streetfootball returns on 14 & 15 September. Attendees from 20+ countries, 15,000 visitors, 1,000+ participants. Takuto Kogoru from Japan wins the WC Panna Knock Out. Jassim Mazouz from Belgium is crowned youth world champion.

Panna Knock Out introduces the World Finals. The highest stage of the game. A panel of 3 skill judges is added to reward attacking play, creative skills and entertainment value. The judge system fundamentally changes the game for the better: players don't just win, they win with style.

The World Finals launches with a dedicated Ladies category. Giving the best female panna players in the world their own world championship stage for the first time.

The Next Gen category is introduced at the World Finals, creating a dedicated world championship stage for the next generation of panna talent. The future of the game gets its own crown.