Sport & action

Always on the move, preferably with others

The Saarland is passionate about sport. No wonder, since there couldn’t be a better environment. Over 390,000 people take part in sports in around 2,200 Saarland associations. With 40% of the population, the region comes top in a nationwide comparison. The unprecedented success is easily explained by typical Saarland virtues such as community spirit and motivation.

390.000
390.000 Saarlanders take part in sports

Over

390.000

Saarlanders take part in sports

Sports history
Talents - a part of the tradition

Talents - a part of the tradition

Prior to its accession to the Federal Republic, the Saarland made a name for itself in sport. An independent team took part in the 1952 Summer Olympic Games in Helsinki.

The Saarland was also on the ball elsewhere. In the qualifying round for the World Cup in 1954, the then independent Saarland team was beaten by the West German team. Otherwise, the Miracle of Bern would have been impossible.

Even at club level, male and female footballers from the Saarland have demonstrated their skills over a long period. In the 1950s, according to the then FIFA President Jules Rimet, the first FC Saarbrücken team was one of the 'most interesting teams in Europe'. As for the male players the Saarbrückers are working hard to bring back Bundesliga football to the region in the medium term.

Professional sports
Professional sports
Professional sports Professional sports

Professional sports

Dedication for top results

Dedication for top results

Pioneering achievements were recorded early on in athletics. In 1960 the Saarlander Armin Hary was the first sprinter in the world to run 100 m in 10.0 seconds. A few weeks later he won Olympic gold in Rome. By 2014, Saarland athletes had won 59 medals at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Even in recent years, the Saarland has often been the centre of attention. The foundation for success was laid at the Olympic base at the Hermann Neuberger Sports School. In the idyllic environment of the Saarbrücken city forest, several top athletes in various disciplines pursue perfection – with optimum year-round training conditions and world-class support. Among them are the triathlete squad with Jan Frodeno, Olympic champion in 2008, or young swimming stars like Christoph Fildebrandt and Andreas Waschburger, who will go to Rio in 2016 as German medal contenders.
59 Olympic medals
100 m in 10.0 seconds achieved first in the world by sprinter Armin Hary
18 sports are funded by the Olympic Training Centre
Promotion of talent in schools

Promotion of talent in schools

The facilities of the Olympic base are just minutes away from the gymnasium at Rotenbühl. As one of the few elite schools for sport and football, it is busy training the sports stars of tomorrow. The new Saarland Sports Foundation is playing its part in ensuring that, in future, there will be many successes to celebrate.
Promotion of talent in the Saarland
Grass roots sport
Grass roots sport

Grass roots sport everywhere

From young beginners to experienced fitness fans, Saarlanders also keep fit away from the sports club scene. There’s no lack of possibilities for them. Sport badges and other initiatives get things going in kindergartens and schools. And along the lines of ‘Saarland is itself’ regional-wide hobby and works teams like bike clubs and running clubs have been formed. The strength of the Saarland-wide movement is based on local diversity: in a confined space, there are hundreds of kilometres of cycle paths and hiking trails – and an extensive network of clubs and fitness centres stretching from one corner of the region to another.

2.200
2.200 clubs

More than

2.200

clubs

Water sport
Water sport
Everyone loves the water

Everyone loves the water

For rowing and canoeing water sports enthusiasts are drawn to the Saar, for sailing and surfing to the Losheim Reservoir and the 120 hectare Lake Bostal.

Ideally embedded in the hilly landscape of the Saar-Hunsrück nature park, the Lake Bostal Center Parc offers plenty of space for a variety of recreational activities such as swimming at the park's sandy beach or hiking and biking on extensive adventure tours.

If you prefer to participate in calmer water activities to relax, you can, for example, experience moments of relaxation in the Saarland spa. In the Moorish-Andalusian-style thermal spa, stress disappears quickly into thin air. Arab saunas, classical saunas and a variety of vital baths bring the mind and body back into harmony - there are good reasons why the spa was named the second best spa in Europe in the competition for the Health & Spa Award 2013.

Let's go to Lake Bostal

Let's go to Lake Bostal

Relax on the sandy beach or be active in or on the water - there is something for everyone!

Let's go to Lake Bostal
Lake Bostal Center Parcs

Lake Bostal Center Parcs

Inside or outside, relaxing or participating - Center Parcs offers more than 60 activities.

Lake Bostal Center Parcs
Wellness information

Wellness information

Saarland wellness centres have something to counter the hectic pulse of our time.

Wellness information
Premium hiking
Premium hiking

Saar-Hunsrück trail – experience the diversity

Among the 63 premium hiking trails that have been awarded the coveted seal of the German Hiking Institute, one in particularly is recommended: the 217 km long Saar-Hunsrück trail covering several stages. An especially varied premium route which offers a range of experiences: bizarre rock formations alternate with quaint winding streams, magnificent valleys and fantastic views. There are also many cultural and historical highlights such as the Grimburg or Celtic rampart. It is worth mentioning that the trail is 63% nature trails and only 5 per cent asphalt roads.

Saar-Hunsrück trail
Premium routes in the Saarland
Hiking cup winner - Saarland

Hiking cup winner - Saarland

Do you prefer solid ground under your feet, then the well-marked hiking trails are certainly the ideal terrain for you. Because the Saarland is without doubt the trendiest hill-walking destination in Germany currently. If you want a hike combined with culinary highlights, then you just need to follow the chefs' hats. The Saarland table tours skilfully combine exercise with indulgence.

For occasional hikers, new hikers or hikers looking for quality the German Hiking Institute has now developed a new format - the premium hiking trail. Shorter, less steep, but just as varied as the longer routes are two of the very first, which lead up hill and down dale in the vicinity of Orscholz. They open up spectacularly wide and deep views and insights into nature and offer children an exciting space for exercise.

Saar-Hunsrück trail
Premium routes in the Saarland
Most beautiful trail in Germany 2009 Most beautiful trail in Germany 2009
A cycling and fun sports paradise
A cycling and fun sports paradise
The main thing is exercising

The main thing is exercising

Our region also scores with passionate cyclists. Varied routes that are often cross-border provide all levels: from cosy recreational cycling via multi-day trips to major sporting challenges. Even as a mountain biker you are not left out in the Saarland: St. Wendel and St. Ingbert have long been a byword for the international MTB scene.

Fun sport is also enjoying increased demand. Indeed, as skaters, rollerbladers, BMX riders and recreational climbers you get your money's worth - for example, at Wendelinuspark in St. Wendel, one of the biggest skate parks in Germany, or at the Merzig climbing park, Europe's largest free-standing open-air climbing park.

Hiking on first-class trails

SaarRadLand

Fun and trend sports

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Kevin Sours
The post-doctoral researcher from Denver Colorado moved here from across the Atlantic.