Leipzig is gearing up for a sports festival of superlatives: next month, the city is set to become the center of German gymnastics. According to the organizers, more than 80,000 participants and hundreds of thousands of guests are expected from 28 May to 1 June. The gymnastics festival will be a celebration for everyone - whether active athletes, families or onlookers. The event is being organized by the German Gymnastics Federation together with the city of Leipzig.
Top-class sport meets popular sport
A special highlight: the European Gymnastics Championships are also being held in Leipzig at the same time as the gymnastics festival. According to the German Gymnastics Federation, the European Championships will be held on the grounds of the New Trade Fair Center. The European Championships are to be integrated into the gymnastics festival.
According to the organizers, the International German Gymnastics Festival is one of the largest mass sports events in the world. It looks back on a long tradition: Leipzig hosted the third General German Gymnastics Festival back in 1863. In 2025, the city will be hosting the gymnastics festival for the 13th time.
The major event is of great economic importance for Leipzig in particular. "When the gymnasts last met in Leipzig in 2002, we were able to record economic effects amounting to more than 30 million euros," said the city's overall project manager, Stefan Schedler.
Traffic and local transport under pressure
For residents and commuters, the gymnastics festival means an increased number of visitors - especially around the city center and at venues such as the Leipzig Arena, the Sportforum, Augustusplatz and the New Trade Fair Center. Traffic restrictions and a higher volume of public transport can be expected at times. To prevent bottlenecks, Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe (LVB) is planning an extended service: buses and streetcars will run more frequently during the gymnastics festival.
The competitions, hands-on activities and shows will take place in numerous sports facilities, schools and public squares. Stages, information stands and activity areas will be set up in the city center in particular. A large opening show and several major events are also planned.
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