The German Bundestag has passed the country’s new Sports Promotion Act (Sportfördergesetz) by a wide margin, clearing a major legislative hurdle in the effort to overhaul the nation’s elite athletic funding. With 561 votes in favor and 43 against, the bill aims to reduce bureaucratic complexity and boost medal counts at international events, including the Olympic Games, by centralizing the distribution of public funds through a new, independent agency based in Leipzig.
Legislative Path and Political Support
The final vote in the Bundestag saw broad cross-party support, with the Union, SPD, AfD, and the Green Party voting in favor of the draft. The legislation, which is intended to modernize and increase the efficiency of elite sports, will now proceed to the Bundesrat for final deliberation, expected this autumn. Before the law can take effect, it must clear this remaining legislative chamber.
Opposition to the bill came primarily from the Left Party (Die Linke). Their representative, Jorrit Bosch, expressed concerns regarding the social security of coaches and criticized the prospect of funding being tied too closely to short-term budgetary constraints. Despite these objections, proponents of the bill have characterized the reform as a significant turning point for German sports infrastructure.
The Role of the New Leipzig-Based Agency
At the center of the reform is the creation of an independent elite sports agency headquartered in Leipzig. This entity is designed to manage the distribution of millions in taxpayer funds. The agency will be led by two full-time directors and overseen by a board of trustees comprising representatives from both the political sphere and organized sports.
Beginning in 2031, the federal government has earmarked approximately 8.4 million euros annually to cover the operational costs of the agency. Its mandate is broad: the organization will be responsible for funding national associations, individual athletes, and both Olympic and federal training centers. It will also hold the authority to conduct scientific support, set cross-sport criteria for squad selection, and restructure training facilities where necessary.
Increased Influence for the Sports Community
Following feedback from the organized sports sector, the federal government adjusted the composition of the agency’s board of trustees to ensure greater representation. The board will now consist of ten members rather than nine. The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) has been granted four seats, up from the original three, and a dedicated position has been reserved for the athletes’ commission.
Thomas Weikert, President of the DOSB, welcomed the legislation as a foundation for future success. “We want to lead Germany back to the world elite of sports,” Weikert stated. “We want to create a system that produces sustainable top-level performance.”
Paralympic Integration and Future Outlook
The German Disability Sports Association (DBS) and the National Paralympic Committee have also voiced support for the new framework, emphasizing the importance of inclusive development. Idriss Gonschinska, CEO of the DBS, noted that the success of the new structure will depend on anchoring Paralympic elite sports as an essential, integrated component of the funding model.
Tina Winklmann, the Green Party’s spokesperson for sports and volunteering, described the act as a “historical step” and a genuine paradigm shift. While acknowledging that some gaps remain, the party supported the bill based on their involvement in shaping the reform during the previous legislative period.
The next major checkpoint for the legislation is the final session in the Bundesrat this fall. Should the bill pass, it will mark the beginning of a transition intended to reshape how Germany scouts, funds, and prepares its elite athletes for the global stage.
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