sport
Berlin invests €16.2M federally to upgrade sports infrastructure across districts
From Kreuzberg to Reinickendorf, Berlin is upgrading its sports halls, fields, and pools with hundreds of millions in public funding, aiming to modernise facilities for its 780,000 club members.
How we reported this
Berlin has secured €16.2 million in federal funding to renovate 19 sports facilities across the city, including upgrades to the Flatow Sports Hall in Kreuzberg and the Hatzfeldtallee Sports Hall in Reinickendorf, the city announced. The investment is part of a broader push to modernise the capital’s aging sports infrastructure, which supports more than 2,300 non-profit clubs with around 780,000 members under the Landessportbund Berlin umbrella.
The federal grant marks one of the largest single injections of central-government money for local sports venues in recent years. It comes as Berlin’s districts accelerate their own spending: the Spandau district has unveiled a €65 million investment plan for 2026 alone, targeting renovations of existing sports fields and halls while building new facilities for its 200 sports clubs. Meanwhile, in Reinickendorf, a brand-new €4 million sports facility at Reginhardstraße opened its doors in July 2026 after a 13-month construction period, featuring a 400-metre track and amenities designed for modern athletics.
Major stadium and pool upgrades on the horizon
The most ambitious project is the Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark, where the Berlin Senate has approved a development plan to build a 20,000-seat stadium and an inclusive sports complex. Estimated total costs for the Jahn-Sportpark project stand at €263.4 million, making it the largest single sports-infrastructure scheme in the city. The park, located in the Prenzlauer Berg neighbourhood, has long been a hub for athletics and community sport, but the planned redevelopment will replace aging stands with a modern, accessible venue.
Berlin’s public swimming pool authority has also committed significant funds: approximately €600 million is earmarked between now and 2030 for the complete renovation and modernisation of both indoor and outdoor pools. The investment is expected to address long-standing complaints about pool closures and outdated heating systems, particularly at facilities in districts such as Mitte and Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg.
What comes next for Berlin’s sports network
The wave of spending reflects a recognition that Berlin’s clubs and athletes need fit-for-purpose venues to compete nationally and internationally. The city’s three DOSB-recognised ‘Eliteschulen des Sports’-which combine high-level athletic training with academic education-also stand to benefit from improved facilities, especially in track and field, football, handball and volleyball.
Residents and club officials will be watching closely as the Spandau and Reinickendorf projects move from announcement to construction. The Jahn-Sportpark development plan, meanwhile, will undergo further consultation before building work can begin. For now, the message from Berlin’s Senate and districts is clear: after years of underinvestment, the city is betting big on its sports infrastructure to serve the 780,000 people who lace up their shoes every week.