Berlin is investing 410 million euros in dilapidated sports facilities!

Berlin is investing 410 million euros in dilapidated sports facilities!

The Berlin Senate has launched a comprehensive renovation program for the city's sports facilities in order to combat the ongoing decline. The renovation backlog is estimated at an impressive 410,640,000 euros. In order to meet these challenges, 24 million euros are available annually, almost all of which has been used due to the high demand. The program has proven extremely popular, with almost 60 construction projects registered for 2025, around 50 of which have been approved and the majority already implemented.

The measures particularly often affect sports fields, where the replacement of artificial turf and the renovation of changing rooms are given priority. Examples of these measures include the Spandau Hakenfelde Stadium, where both the listed changing rooms and the running track are being extensively renovated. The Erika Heß ice stadium in Mitte will also be put back into operation after the cooling system has been repaired.

Challenges in implementation

Despite the positive developments in the renovation program, there are also challenges. A lack of staff and technical problems are slowing progress on some renovations. In Steglitz-Zehlendorf, the sports facility on Osdorfer Straße could not be renovated due to a lack of personnel capacity. In addition, measures in Treptow-Köpenick had to be returned due to staff shortages and delivery problems. The CDU has also criticized the 24 million euros provided as insufficient, as 30 million euros per year were originally planned. Budget cuts have further impacted the program's funding.

Some renovation measures, such as the gymnastics hall at the Kurt Ritter sports complex, have been postponed until 2026, which will make the measures more expensive. The Senate Department for Sport is currently unable to provide precise information about the restructuring program for 2026, which increases uncertainty in this area.

Nationwide support for sports facilities

In the context of the renovation of municipal sports facilities, nationwide support through the new “Renovation of Municipal Sports Facilities” program is also important. For the first time, the federal government is providing funding totaling 333 million euros to support cities and municipalities in the renovation and modernization of sports facilities. In this legislative period, up to one billion euros are to be made available to convert old sports facilities into modern, barrier-free sports venues. The focus is particularly on energy-efficient renovation, whereby the funds awarded may also be passed on to third parties, such as clubs. The deadline for submitting project outlines is January 15, 2026.

The new funding structure could help address the existing challenges in Berlin's renovation program if cities, municipalities and districts take advantage of the opportunity to comprehensively renovate public sports facilities. The renovation measures are not only a step towards preserving the sporting culture in the region, but also an important investment in the infrastructure for future generations.