Location
Quality of life
Sport
“Sport is an active form of happiness.“
The Metropole Ruhr offers many sites and possibilities for satisfying writer Martin Kessel’s definition of happiness. The locals are traditionally very interested in sport, as reflected in the large number of sports teams and associations with a huge number of sports grounds. The region’s many lakes and rivers, home to Germany’s best known regatta course, are also perfect for practising all kinds of water sports.
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Yet the region is not just about every-day sports – it has also proved its worth many times over by hosting high quality sports events. International sporting associations have chosen the Metropole Ruhr as a venue for their world championships events on many occasions. And not without good reason: the region’s modern sports facilities, optimal infrastructure, perfect organisation, great enthusiasm for sport and friendly attitude continue to impress organisers. Dortmund has already played host to world championships in figure skating, ice hockey, table tennis and gymnastics. In Essen, world championships have been held in judoka, trampolining, fencing, formation dancing, canoe polo and pétanque. In 2007, canoeists from 90 different countries crowned their world champion at the renowned regatta course in Duisburg-Wedau for the fourth time.
- [+] Stadium atmosphere at Borussia Dortmund, one of the region’s four Bundesliga teams
Football is a big topic in the region. A range of quality sports arenas is available: when Germany hosted the world championships in 2006, eleven matches were held at the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund and the Schalke Arena.
A particular sporting highlight is the Karstadt marathon which attracts around a million visitors each year. This competition in 16 disciplines is the only twin marathon worldwide (two starts/ one destination). The spirit of the region is evident at this and all public sports events: sportsmen and women, fans and observers from the region and elsewhere are all welcome at the numerous international tournaments and competitions held here.
