Dresden Prepares for The Finals 2025 With Six New Sports and Broadcaster Commitment
The multi-sport event known as The Finals will feature six new sports and span eight venues when it arrives in Dresden from July 31 to August 3, 2025. ARD and ZDF announced during a program presentation in the Saxon capital that they will provide extensive live coverage on television and through their media libraries across all four days of competition.
The fifth edition of the event introduces badminton, fistball, flag football, lacrosse, sport acrobatics, and rugby sevens to the official program. Organizers plan to award German championship titles across 18 sports in total. Track and field events will take place at the newly opened Heinz-Steyer-Stadium.
Urban Venues and Olympic Inspiration in Dresden
Several competitions will occupy spaces in the center of Dresden, drawing direct inspiration from recent Olympic setups. The 3×3 basketball and speed climbing championships will unfold at the Neumarkt directly in front of the Frauenkirche. Meanwhile, canoe sprint and stand-up paddling events are scheduled inside the Zwingergraben moat.
“We learned from the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris that the courage to rely on special competition venues is rewarded,” canoe Olympic champion Tom Liebscher said.
The multi-sport format last took place in 2023 across the Rhine-Ruhr region, drawing more than 200,000 spectators on-site across 18 sports. This year’s edition was paused to accommodate the Paris Olympic Games.
Organizers Collaborate to Develop Multi-Sport Event in Dresden
Organizers are collaborating with the state of Saxony, sports associations, and public broadcasters to shape the upcoming competitions. Hagen Boßdorf, managing director of the Finals GmbH, emphasized the collaborative approach during the presentation in Dresden.
“Our goal is to further develop the multi-sport event together with the state of Saxony, the associations, and ARD and ZDF,” Boßdorf said. “I am convinced that we will succeed in doing so in Dresden, that we will set new standards again. Proximity and beauty are the new benchmark.”
Frequently Asked Questions About The Finals 2025
When and where will The Finals 2025 take place?
The event runs from July 31 to August 3, 2025, across eight different sports venues in Dresden, marking the first time the Saxon capital has hosted the multi-sport competition.
Which sports are joining the program for the first time?
Badminton, fistball, flag football, lacrosse, sport acrobatics, and rugby sevens make their debut at the 2025 event, bringing the total number of contested sports to 18.
How can viewers watch the competitions if they do not attend in person?
Broadcasters ARD and ZDF have committed to providing extensive live television coverage and streaming through their digital media libraries for all four days of the event.
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