Sportforum

Sportforum Hohenschönhausen is one of Berlin’s largest sports complexes, located in the northeast of the city in the district of Lichtenberg. Built during the GDR era, it served as a central training facility for East German athletes and produced a generation of Olympic competitors in sports ranging from swimming and cycling to boxing and team sports.

The site is large and covers multiple facilities, including swimming pools, athletics tracks, indoor halls, and specialist training areas. After reunification, the complex transitioned to a mixed use model — professional sports organisations, amateur clubs, and public facilities now coexist on the same grounds. Several Berlin-based professional clubs train here.

For the general public, the complex offers access to swimming facilities and some fitness infrastructure, though availability and opening hours vary by facility and season. It’s worth checking current access arrangements before planning a visit specifically for recreational use.

The area around Sportforum connects to the broader Hohenschönhausen district, which is increasingly explored for its GDR-era architecture and history. The Gedenkstätte Hohenschönhausen — the former Stasi remand prison — is nearby and offers a significant and sobering insight into the mechanisms of political repression in East Germany. Combining a visit to the Gedenkstätte with a look at the Sportforum gives a fuller picture of the district and the era.

Events at the Sportforum range from local club competitions to larger national and international events depending on the season. These guides cover what’s on and what’s worth attending.