© www.pkfotografie.com, Philipp Kirschner
A group having fun playing beach volleyball in Reudnitz
© www.pkfotografie.com, Philipp Kirschner

Whether football, handball, athletics or swimming – Leipzig has a long tradition in competitive sport The city supports competitive sports through various funding programs and hosts national and international sporting events, which attract tens of thousands of people to Leipzig every year. In addition to the internationally renowned Champions League games des RB Leipzig to Tournaments like Leipzig Open (tennis) and the Leipzig Marathon. The Gymnastics Festival 2025 – the world’s largest competitive and popular sports event – ​​also takes place in Leipzig. The city is also historically closely linked to sport. Sportroute Leipzig makes the most important places in Leipzig's eventful sports history visible at a total of 22 stations. 

© www.pixabay.com, Henry St. John

Sport in Leipzig and Region

  • The city of Leipzig supports competitive sport from football to swimming

  • Leipzig hosts renowned Sporting events

  • Particularly impressive: Leipzig's football history

  • The sports route makes the key places in Leipzig's sports history visible

competitive sport

Two teams play handball against each other at the Arena Leipzig. The stands are packed with spectators.
© www.tom-schulze.com, Tom Schulze

Horse riding, fencing, cycling, handball – the competitive sports in Leipzig flourishes. This is not least due to the extensive support programs with which the city of Leipzig supports its athletes. Modern sports facilities and training centers offer ideal conditions for efficient training. To support young athletes, Sports Clubs and Schools work closely together here. This means that talent is identified and promoted early on.

A particular incentive for young people to engage in sports is likely to be the numerous internationally recognized sporting events which take place regularly in Leipzig and attract numerous sports enthusiasts and tourists to the Saxon metropolis. These include the partner horse, the Leipzig Open, the Leipzig Marathon and UEFA EURO 2024™, where Leipzig was one of ten German host cities. After the successful European Football Championship In 2024, the sporting events will continue in 2025: Leipzig will host the International German Gymnastics Festival 2025 – the world’s largest sporting event in competitive and recreational sports.

sports facilities in Leipzig

© Sylvio Dittrich, leipzig.travel

Travel offer "Active holiday in the Leipzig region: Cycling on the Mulde"

© www.christianhueller.de, Christian Hüller

Leipzig and football

© www.tom-schulze.com, Tom Schulze

Leipzig is not only in the top league in canoeing, swimming, judo and handball. The Saxon metropolis also has a long tradition of success in football. The German Football Association (DFB) was founded here in 1900. In the 1902/03 season, VfB Leipzig won the cup and became the first German football champions. Traditional clubs such as the BSG Chemie (Regionalliga Nordost), Lok Leipzig (Regionalliga Nordost) or first division club RB Leipzig, which has put the city back in the spotlight in international top football with its regular participation in the Champions League, represent Leipzig's deep connection to football.

Leipzig football clubs

  • RB Leipzig

    • Full name: Rasenballsport Leipzig e. v.
    • family-friendly club
    • Since 2016 in the 1. Bundesliga
    • mascot "Bulli" in the colors red and white
    • RB Stadium with a capacity of up to 47.000 guests
    • current coach: Marco Rose
    • former coach: Julian Nagelsmann – current coach of the German national team
  • BSG Chemie Leipzig

    • full name: company sports association Chemie Leipzig
    • traditional club from Leipzig-Leutzsch
    • strong definition of committed fan culture
    • club motto "Nobody like us"
    • voluntary youth and social work in the west of Leipzig
  • Lok Leipzig

    • full name: 1. FC Locomotive Leipzig
    • official successor of the first German football champion VfB Leipzig
    • traditional club from Leipzig-Probstheida
    • Lokruf-Radio with live broadcast of the Lok games fans organized by fans since 2004
© www.pixabay.com, StockSnap

Discover Leipzig's city center with the Explore Leipzig app

Leipzig city centre can be easily explored by bike.
© www.tomthiele.com, Tom Thiele

The city walk "City Center Tour - Leipzig on Foot" takes you through the city center of Leipzig and shows you the most important sights and attractions that Leipzig has to offer. You will be accompanied by interactive and multimedia elements.

If you have less time available, the highlight tour "City center tour with selected highlights" perfect for you. On this tour you will discover the top attractions of the city on a small but fine city tour.

Sportroute Leipzig

Located directly in front of the arena, the festival meadow offers plenty of space.

Leipzig is a sports city with a rich tradition, a fascinating present and a promising future. Sports enthusiasts can explore the city's multifaceted history on the sports route, which highlights the key locations in Leipzig's sports history. In addition to informative facts, you will also be introduced to personalities who have made a significant contribution to the development of Leipzig as a sports city. The sports route will be steadily expanded in the coming years and will eventually include 22 stations.

Sportroute Leipzig leads through 200 years of sports history

The route takes you through sports venues, sports developments and sports institutions and tells their history. Leipzig's identity as a city of sport once developed at the marked locations. The memory of these places goes hand in hand with the appreciation of special achievements of personalities from 200 years of Leipzig's sports history.

Other sporty routes in Leipzig and the region

79

Leipzig-Elbe cycle route

Leipzig

CC-BY Philipp Kirschner, www.pkfotografie.de, LEIPZIG REGION

Welcome to Leipzig - The Podcast for your Leipzig Trip

All tips on sports in Leipzig in one overview