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Leipzig is fighting for the Olympics: Berlin+ application concept has been decided!
Leipzig plays a central role in the “Berlin+” application concept for the 2036 Olympic Games. Important sports venues and innovative ideas shape the plan.
Leipzig is fighting for the Olympics: Berlin+ application concept has been decided!
Leipzig and Berlin have jointly developed a concept to apply to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The presentation of the application concept called “Berlin+” recently took place in the Berlin Olympic Stadium. Iris Spranger, Senator for the Interior and Sport in Berlin, as well as Armin Schuster, the Saxon Interior Minister, and Burkhard Jung, the Mayor of Leipzig, outlined the details of this ambitious plan. Leipzig should play a central role in this, especially with its numerous sports facilities.
The “Berlin+” concept envisages that competitions will take place in several federal states, including Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. This already shows the regional approach of the application in order to appeal to a broad audience and to impress the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Spranger also emphasized the sustainability of the design. Over 90% of the required sports facilities already exist and can be used temporarily, which could significantly reduce costs and resource consumption.
Leipzig's sports infrastructure
Leipzig has established itself as a capable venue through numerous international sporting events, such as UEFA EURO 2024 and the International German Gymnastics Festival. The canoe park in Markkleeberg as well as the sports forum, the arena and the kohlrabi circus are planned as competition venues for the Olympics in Leipzig. The Leipzig Trade Fair could serve as a venue for martial arts such as judo and boxing.
In order to meet the requirements of an Olympics, the city council is planning extensive renovations in the area. This includes expanding the quarterback real estate arena to 12,000 seats and building a new 5,000-seat ballpark. Innovative events will also take place in the city center. Another notable project is the planned satellite village, which is to be built on the site of the former Mockau Airport and can accommodate around 2,300 athletes. After the games, it is planned to convert this village into socially acceptable housing.
The path to the IOC
On May 27, 2025, the application concept was officially presented to the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). Next year, the DOSB will decide which German application will be selected for the IOC's international selection process. Schuster explained that those involved will continue to apply until they succeed in bringing the games to Germany. Leipzig trade fair reports that the exact games Germany is bidding for are still unclear; it could be the 2036, 2040 or 2044 games.
With these comprehensive plans, Leipzig and Berlin are combining not only sporting ambitions, but also regional strengthening through infrastructural investments. The coming months will be crucial to attract the IOC's interest and help the German bid succeed.
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