German Sports Clubs Hit Record 30 Million Memberships in 2026
German sports clubs achieve a historic 30 million memberships in 2026 with growth across all regions and demographics, led by football and rising niche sports.
Key details
- Sports club memberships in Germany exceed 30 million in 2026, a 2.63% increase from last year.
- Membership growth occurred in all 16 federal states, with Hamburg leading at 6.59%.
- Women's membership growth (2.52%) surpasses men's (2.17%), reducing the gender gap.
- Football remains largest sport with 8.3 million members; Dart and Cheerleading show notable growth.
- DOSB calls for improved support for clubs to manage rising participation and resource challenges.
German sports clubs have set a new milestone in 2026 by surpassing 30 million memberships, a growth of 770,000 or 2.63% compared to the previous year, according to the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). This surge was observed across all 16 federal states, with Hamburg recording the highest increase at 6.59%. Notably, women's membership growth of 2.52% outpaced that of men, which rose by 2.17%, narrowing the gender participation gap.
Football remains the most popular sport, boasting 8.3 million members nationwide. Meanwhile, emerging sports such as Dart and Cheerleading have experienced significant growth, though some sports like Weightlifting and Squash saw membership declines. The membership rate peaks among boys aged 7 to 14 at over 87%, while it is lowest among women over 60, at just 16.4%.
DOSB President Thomas Weikert highlighted the importance of these figures, praising clubs for fostering community and cohesion. He emphasized the need to improve structural conditions to address challenges like limited resources and capacities within sports clubs, ensuring sustainable growth moving forward.
Source articles (2)
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leichtathletik.de Nov 10, 2026
30 Millionen! Erneuter Mitgliederrekord im deutschen Sport
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ndr.de Nov 10, 2026
Europa Cup: Spaziergang für die VfL-Frauen