SUSTAINABLE [MAJOR] SPORTING EVENTS WINS THE SPORT POSITIVE AWARD 2026
The project and web portal were awarded first place in the ‘Inspired Innovation’ category. The awards ceremony took place online as part of the SPORT POSITIVE SUMMIT on 6 October 2026.
The SPORT POSITIVE AWARDS recognise outstanding initiatives, projects and solutions that advance sustainability in sport. The ‘Inspired Innovation’ category focuses on innovative products, services and approaches that help to put sustainability goals into practice and drive concrete change in sport.
Our team from the German Sport University Cologne, the German Olympic Sports Confederation and the Öko-Institut was presented with the award at a ceremony.
UNIV.-PROF. DR. RALF ROTH, HEAD OF THE INSTITUTE FOR OUTDOOR SPORTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE:
“For us, this award is above all a sign that knowledge transfer and exchange are crucial if we are to advance sustainable development in sport and at sporting events. Our goal must now be to deepen international exchange, highlight experiences and solutions, and jointly further develop the web portal.”
PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE
The web portal provides free access to scientifically sound knowledge derived from a two-year participatory process and offers concrete options for action for sporting events of all sizes.
With more than 600 filterable measures, 268 targets and indicators, 5 areas of transformation, 17 fields of action, examples of good practice and digital tools, the portal supports organisers in systematically integrating sustainability into their planning and implementation.
LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER INTERNATIONALLY
The award is not merely a recognition of what has been achieved so far. It is also an incentive to deepen the exchange of ideas and learn from one another internationally.
“The award is a wonderful recognition of the joint work carried out as a team over the last three years. In line with our motto: ‘Share knowledge. Secure support.’ we want to further expand the network around sustainable sporting events, continually enrich the portal’s content and connect even more stakeholders with one another.” – Christian Siegel, DOSB
Since its launch in January 2025, the web portal has already recorded more than 2.8 million page views. Around 400 event organisers have already registered.
SHAPING THE FUTURE TOGETHER.
A huge thank you goes to everyone who has been with us from the very beginning and supported our project with their knowledge, experience and commitment – our partners, experts and the many stakeholders from the worlds of sport, academia, politics and practice.
For us, this award is both a mark of recognition and an incentive to continue along the path we have chosen. We want to share knowledge, strengthen international exchange and work together to continuously develop the web portal.