sport
Berlin's Three Elite Sports Schools Drive High School Athletic Success
Three Eliteschulen des Sports along with other local schools and programs form the core infrastructure for competitive and recreational high school sports across the city.
How we reported this
Berlin operates three officially recognized Eliteschulen des Sports that combine elite athletic training with school education: SLZB, Sportschule Olympiapark and Flatow-Oberschule.
Eliteschulen des Sports Infrastructure
These three schools provide purpose-built facilities for high-performance training integrated into the daily school schedule. SLZB, Sportschule Olympiapark and Flatow-Oberschule each maintain specialised venues that support multiple sports from defined grade levels onward. Basketball, boxing, eishockey and volleyball programs begin at Grade 7 while swimming starts at Grade 5, allowing students to access dedicated infrastructure matched to their age and sport.
Additional School-Based Venues
The Berlin Brandenburg International School offers competitive and recreational sports for students in Grades 6-12. Its facilities support participation in football, basketball, swimming and track events through membership in the German International School Sports Tournament. Public schools such as Berlin High School also schedule evening games in football, basketball and soccer, using existing school grounds and gyms for regular competition.
City-Led Development Programs
The Landessportbund Berlin and the Senate run the BERLIN HAT TALENT initiative to widen access to athletic development. This program utilises existing school and community venues for events including the Schülertriathlon and ISTAF youth programs, extending the reach of the established Eliteschulen infrastructure to more students across Berlin.
Participation Requirements at Public Venues
Evening games at public school venues such as those used by Berlin High School require health assessments and signed contracts for all participants. Admission fees are set at $5 for adults and $2 for students, providing a clear operational framework for families using these local facilities.
Families interested in high school athletics can review program details directly through the participating schools and the Landessportbund Berlin to match student interests with available venues and grade-level offerings.