Charity evening in Frankfurt: Ball des Sports celebrates sports promotion for the 55th time

As the largest sports charity event in Europe, the event is one of the most important dates in the social calendar. Without exception, the German athletes who competed at the 2026 Winter Olympics received some form of support from Sporthilfe.

The traditional "Ball of Sport" event brought together more than 100 active and former top athletes from Olympic, Paralympic, Deaflympic and non-Olympic disciplines. Among the celebrity guests was football star and Sporthilfe Supervisory Board member Jürgen Klopp, who was particularly popular with visitors for selfies. Former track cyclist Kristina Vogel (35) also joined in the celebrations in Frankfurt. The German economy was represented by board members and managing directors of leading national and international companies. More than 150 companies participated as sponsors and partners in the gala programme and the traditional raffle, which was presented by national sponsor Deutsche Post. The raffle prizes had a total value of around 300,000 euros.

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Golden Sports Pyramid for Fritz Fischer at the Sports Ball

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the prestigious "Golden Sports Pyramid" to biathlon legend Fritz Fischer from Ruhpolding. The honorary award, worth 25,000 euros, recognises his outstanding sporting successes as an Olympic and world champion, his achievements as a successful coach over many years and his social commitment.

Benefit proceeds for athlete support at the Ball des Sports

For the German Sports Aid Foundation, the Sports Ball is the most important event of the year - both financially and in terms of ideas. With annual six-figure charity proceeds, the event makes a key contribution to supporting the best young and top German athletes. The money raised helps Sporthilfe to support a group of around 2,000 German athletes through individualised support.

At the same time, the Sports Ball offers a unique platform for appreciation, dialogue and networking. At the Saturday evening event, business leaders and politicians should realise what attributes athletes can bring to society and how important sustainable promotion is for top German sport.

Sports aid as a partner of top-class sport

The importance of Sporthilfe for German elite sport is impressively demonstrated by the current Winter Olympics: All 184 German Olympic starters for the 2026 Games have been supported by Sporthilfe over the course of their careers. Currently, 173 of the 184 Olympic participants (94 per cent) receive support from the foundation. The total amount of funding for all German Olympic participants across all funding years totals around 8 million euros. During the current Olympics (1 March 2022 to 28 February 2026), around 3.6 million euros in funding was distributed to the Olympic team.

Increased medal bonuses tax-free for the first time

A significant innovation at these Olympic Games: The Sporthilfe medal bonuses have been significantly increased and, thanks to a decision by the German Bundestag, are tax-free for the first time this year. Athletes will now receive 30,000 euros for a gold medal (previously 20,000 euros), 20,000 euros for silver (previously 15,000 euros) and 10,000 euros for bronze. The planned prize money for these Games is therefore higher than ever before.

Diverse support programmes for all career phases

Sporthilfe supports athletes with various funding programmes tailored to the respective career phase. ElitePlus funding is the highest funding level and has been supporting medal aspirants without sports funding centres in the German armed forces, customs or police with an additional 1,000 euros per month since May 2025.

46 top athletes from the current Olympic team have been supported in the course of their careers as part of the elite support programme, while 64 of the Olympic starters have already benefited from the elite support programme for young athletes at an early stage of their careers. In addition, 25 student athletes received 300 euros per month through the Sporthilfe sports scholarship programme.

In addition to Sporthilfe funding, a total of 68 athletes on the German Olympic team were supported with federal funds on the way to the 2026 Winter Olympics. In the current Olympic cycle (since March 2022), 685,250 euros in federal funding went directly to athletes on the current Olympic team.

Sports ball emphasises the importance of promoting sport

Since its establishment in 1967, the German Sports Aid Foundation has been the most important private sports funding initiative in Germany. With responsible and creative support concepts that are continuously adapted to the athletes' circumstances, it provides support both financially and in terms of career planning and personal development.

90 per cent of sponsored athletes are involved in German successes at international competitions. The impressive tally includes 294 gold medals at the Olympic Games and 372 gold medals at the Paralympics.

The 55th Ball of Sport once again emphasised the central importance of this support and the close connection between sport, business and society - a partnership that ultimately benefits everyone involved and should continue to make German elite sport successful in the future.