12 sports events in Germany: up close and personal with top athletes

Berlin Marathon: constantly setting new records

Runners in a marathon ©AdobeStock (pavel1964)

It's not only one of the most famous marathons in the world, but also one of the fastest. Over a dozen records have been set along the Spree. The backdrop is just as impressive: the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag and, above all, the energetic atmosphere of fans and live bands celebrating on the roadside. Anyone who wants to take part in this 40,000-strong marathon should be quick: up to eight people apply for each available place.

German Beach Volleyball Championships: party atmosphere and dig shots

Where the professionals compete on their way to the German Beach Volleyball Championship , the atmosphere is fantastic. This is especially true for the season finale, which always takes place at the Timmendorfer Strand. From 2026 onwards, the best teams in the country will battle it out for the title in Dortmund. Larger venue, same vibe. In the Ruhr region, too, sport meets beach party and performance meets a lust for life – including a relaxed supporting programme.

New Year's ski jumping in Garmisch-Partenkirchen: a flying start to the year

Ski jumper in flight ©AdobeStock (Yeongsik Im)

An adrenaline rush instead of a hangover! While most places are recovering from New Year's Eve celebrations on 1 January, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is kicking off the new year with a bang: with round two of the Four Hills Tournament. When the athletes take off from the large Olympic ski jump, one of the most important in the World Cup, to sail through the air for up to 145 metres, not only do the 25,000 spectators in the stadium hold their breath, but so do several million people watching on TV.

Deutschland Tour: professional cycling at your fingertips

Cyclist at a competition ©AdobeStock (Charte Photography)

The motto for the most important stage race in the German cycling calendar is "Ride through the countryside with passion". The routes change each year, so it always looks different. Sometimes the peloton rolls over Alpine passes, sometimes along the coast, sometimes through the low mountain ranges. Some things remain a constant, however: thousands of fans always line the streets and the supporting programme adds to the atmosphere. This five-day tour guarantees top performance and shared experiences.

CHIO Aachen: oohs and ahhs at the world's largest equestrian sporting event

Rider on horse at jumping obstacle ©AdobeStock (sports photos)

Every spring, more than 350,000 visitors flock to the 'World Equestrian Festival'. The focus is then on around 300 international riders and their first-class horses, who compete in dressage, show jumping, eventing, vaulting and driving. And all this at the highest level – and in a great atmosphere. In the state-of-the-art dressage stadium, the audience cheers every jump and every piaffe as if it were Olympic gold.

Ironman Hamburg: a day full of endurance, passion and enthusiasm

Triathletes swimming ©AdobeStock (pavel1964)

Swimming in the Alster, cycling through the Elbmarsch, running with a view of the harbour: the Ironman Hamburg is a triathlon with a maritime heartbeat. An enthusiastic crowd cheers them on from the first stroke to the very last metre. What makes this competition so special is that it combines extreme sporting experiences with a unique big-city atmosphere, making it not only an endurance test for athletes, but also a celebration for spectators.

TT Finals: table tennis on top form

At the tables, in the stands, on livestream: the 'TT finals' bring together under one roof several national finals, from juniors to seniors, and unite Germany's table tennis family every June. And it's quite something! Over 1,000 participants and several thousand spectators attend Europe's largest annual table tennis festival. They can look forward to four days of top-class sport, hands-on activities and a great atmosphere – and to venues that change every year.

Tennis Grand Prix: game, set, elegance

In April, the tennis world looks to Stuttgart. After all, the world's elite female players are battling it out for points on the courts at this high-profile WTA tournament . The spectators witnessing this sporting spectacle can also consider themselves winners, marvelling at precise serves, powerful baseline shots and spectacular volleys. Here, tennis is not only played, but celebrated.

Winstongolf Senior Open: golf in its most elegant form

Vorbeck, located in the Rostock hinterland, is a prominent name in golf. Every September, on immaculately-maintained fairways, professionals aged 50 and over demonstrate that class is timeless. This pleases the fans, too, who enjoy a tournament that exudes calm, focus and elegance, while simultaneously promising excitement right up to the final putt.

RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring: where professionals and amateurs drive non-stop at full throttle

Track length, number of participants, spectator numbers: when around 140 vehicles race day and night without interruption around the legendary Nordschleife of the Nürburgring every year in May or June, everything is on a slightly larger scale compared to other endurance races . This also applies to the record-breaking number of more than 64,000 overtaking manoeuvres. However, the intense action doesn't just take place in the main race, but also in several side races, such as those featuring classic cars.

German Swimming Championships: clear the lanes for the heroes of the water

Swimmers at the swimming competition ©AdobeStock (MrPreecha)

It always comes down to spring: that's when the country's best swimmers compete in individual and relay events for titles and international qualifying places. Time and again, it becomes clear that sometimes hundredths of a second can decide between fame, records or even setbacks. Pure thrill! This also describes the experience of the spectators cheering enthusiastically from the poolside, at the long-course competitions in Berlin and the short-course finals in Wuppertal. Goosebumps and excitement guaranteed.

Windsurf World Cup Sylt: wind, waves, wild atmosphere

Windsurfer on a wave ©AdobeStock (Zoomtraveller)

The world's largest windsurfing event , held every year in Sylt at the end of September/beginning of October, is a spectacle for adrenaline junkies and water sports fans. When the world's best athletes race across the North Sea waves, thousands of spectators on the beach experience top jumps and cutbacks up close. Festival atmosphere included – and free admission.