Finals 2026 launched in Hannover: Largest edition since 2019 kicks off with show on Lake Maschsee

Olympic flair on a floating stage

In addition to sporting demonstrations of the 24 sports featured at the Finals, the programme also included two show acts. DJ KitKat provided the musical backdrop, and singer Lina Larissa Strahl performed. The Hannover-based rock band Fury in the Slaughterhouse played twice and closed the ceremony with their song "Won't Forget These Days". ZDF presenter Lena Kesting reports on what spectators can expect.

Prominent guests on the floating stage in the middle of the water created an Olympic flair. Sonja Greinacher, who sensationally won Olympic gold in Paris two years ago with the 3x3 basketball team, was a guest on the stage in the middle of the water. The 34-year-old recalled her own appearance at the Finals in Berlin seven years ago and expressed her impression of the event's grown stature: "Ich weiß noch, wie ich vor sieben Jahren bei den Finals in Berlin mitgespielt habe. Und seitdem ist es auch so viel größer geworden." She also described the atmosphere with the words: "Es ist wie ein nationales olympisches Feeling und macht jetzt schon Spaß."

Another sporting highlight was the appearance of the Paris Olympic silver medalists in beach volleyball. Tokyo bronze medalist Charline Schwarz gave spectators a demonstration in archery. In a dance showcase, a B-girl and a ballerina on pointe engaged in a dance duel on stage. The audience can look forward, among others, to Olympic champions Darja Varfolomeev (rhythmic gymnastics) and Laura Lindemann (triathlon).

Competitions over four days in 24 sports

The competitions, which officially began on Wednesday and run through Sunday, feature titles in 24 sports. The programme includes beach volleyball, speed climbing, and pole vault right at the Opernplatz, where up to 1,200 spectators can be accommodated. Swimming is also among the disciplines: Germany's successful swimmers, including Paris winner Lukas Märtens and world champion Anna Elendt, are competing.

Hannover's mayor Belit Onay spoke at the start of the opening ceremony at the Opernplatz. "Viele, viele Menschen in Hannover freuen sich auf ein Wahnsinns-Wochenende mit Spitzensport und einem tollem Event. Das wird ein Sommer-Highlight," he said. He also expressed gratitude and pride to the organizers, saying he was overjoyed about what the city could expect in the coming days.

Voices from politics and sport

Daniela Behrens, Lower Saxony's Minister for Internal Affairs and Sport, also praised the special atmosphere at the venue. "Die Finals sind ein einzigartiges Format, das die Vielfalt des deutschen Sports an einem Ort zusammenbringt. Die Stimmung am Maschsee sei hervorragend und biete eine wunderbare Kulisse für die Wettkämpfe der kommenden Tage," the minister said.

ARD and ZDF hold the lead role in TV coverage. ARD und ZDF übertragen umfassend: The public broadcasters announced over 30 hours of live coverage as well as up to eight parallel livestreams across the four event days. Über die "Finals" berichtet das ZDF täglich ab 22.07.2026 um 05:30 Uhr. Zusätzlich machen ARD und ZDF mit regionalen Programmschwerpunkten auf die Wettkämpfe aufmerksam.

Andrea Lütke, deputy director of NDR, spoke at the Opernplatz in Hannover's city center. She highlighted the broadcasters' particular strength: "143 Meisterschaften, 24 Sportarten und das auf engstem Raum hier in der Stadt und Region Hannover, das abzubilden ist nicht nur unser Auftrag, sondern das zeigt auch die Stärke von ARD und ZDF: Vielfalt und Regionalität." Lütke also described the Finals as a wonderful opportunity to make the breadth of sport visible: "Das ist eine wahnsinnig gute Gelegenheit, die ganze Vielfalt des Sports zu zeigen und die damit einhergehende integrierende Kraft, die das hat."

TV coverage and free admission

Admission to the opening show and most competitions is free. With this, the organizers underscore the character of a public festival, held in conjunction with the traditional Maschseefest, which draws thousands of visitors to the lake each year. The mix of elite sport and public festival makes the Finals a major summer event for the entire region.

The sports programme is accompanied by a TV special. Wegen der Finals in Hannover pausiert die ARD-Unterhaltungsshow „Immer wieder sonntags" am 26. Juli 2026 zum ersten Mal in der laufenden Saison. Stattdessen überträgt die ARD an diesem Tag live von den Finals.

Olympic bid in the background

Parallel to the sporting competitions, the format is already casting its shadow toward a larger stage: Germany's bid for the Olympic Games. Paris Olympic silver medalist in beach volleyball Clemens Wickler, 31, used the event to advocate for a renewed German Olympic bid. "Die Finals zeigen seit Jahren, dass Deutschland bereit ist für Olympische Spiele. Die Generalprobe glückt jedes Jahr. Und ich denke, bald ist es soweit und Olympische Spiele kommen endlich wieder nach Deutschland," said the man from Hamburg.

In the race for the German Olympic bid, Berlin, Munich, and the Rhine-Ruhr region are still in contention. The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) plans to decide on 26 September 2026 which bidder will go forward. The German bid targets hosting the Olympic Games in 2036, 2040, or 2044.

After Dresden and Hannover, the Finals 2027 move to Stuttgart. Some competitions are to be held right in the city center for this. With the format change, the organizing consortium is banking on an even stronger integration of elite sport and urban experience. The Finals 2026 in Hannover have delivered the opening with a mix of show, show acts, and prominent guests that underscores the format's aspirations.