Berlin as a city of sports

Clubs and sporting events

More than half a million Berliners play amateur sports in the almost 2,000 different clubs that are members of the Berlin state sports association. Because of its many lakes and waterways, Berlin is a city of water sports in particular, but gymnastics is also part of Berlin’s sports tradition: the city’s first public gymnastics field was opened in 1811. In May 2005 Berlin hosted the German Gymnastics Festival (Deutsches Turnfest), which, with roughly 100,000 participants, is one of the world’s largest events in amateur sports. In 2006 all eyes were on Berlin as one of the venues for the Football World Cup. The Football World Cup final took place here on 9 July 2006.

Sports in everyday life

Sports bring people together and serve as a perfect example of how teamwork and cooperation function. That is why sports also play an important integrative role. Life in the city includes team members of different nationalities practicing together. Berlin boasts more than 3,000 sports halls, stadiums, and playing fields, including famous sites like the Olympic Stadium and the Max Schmeling Hall. The Eisbären and Alba Berlin have had a new home since September 2008: the O2 World in the borough of Friedrichshain. With seating for 17,000, it is Germany’s second largest event venue. The Velodrom is one of Berlin’s largest arenas and has what is probably the world’s fastest bicycle racing track. There are even two golf courses within the Berlin city limits. Berlin is a leader in the development of elite sports schools in Germany: three nationally renowned schools (the Schul- und Leistungssportzentrum Berlin, the Flatow-Oberschule, and the Poelchau-Oberschule) offer talented athletes the opportunity to get a good education while training for competitive sports. Students can choose from a total of 21 primary and secondary sports.