About the museum
Experience
The German Sport & Olympic Museum is the cultural hotspot of German sport. An inspired place of movement and encounter in a prominent location, directly on the Rhine in an old customs hall dating back to 1896. Here we offer an exciting journey through time on around 2,700 square metres through the history of sport from Greek antiquity to the present day.
Around 2,000 selected objects and inspiring installations illuminate the many facets and varieties of our "most beautiful minor matter", which has long since developed into a politically and socially highly relevant primary matter. Thus, grandiose victories and painful defeats, winners and losers - in short, the big and the small world of sport, but also risks and side effects of sport are put into the picture. In addition, numerous active stations invite visitors to experience the live, physical pleasure and challenge of movement. And if you want more, you are welcome to let off steam on the two highest and most beautiful play areas in the city on the roof of the building - or just enjoy the wonderful view.
Our extensive museum educational programme includes guided tours for school classes and other groups, the implementation of activity programmes and team-building measures or fun children's birthday parties. The museum is unique in its fabulous setting and atmosphere: it is a state-of-the -art event location. Our exclusive catering partner lemonpie will fulfil your culinary wishes on request.
Our museum can be seen an adventure for the whole family and for all occasions - for sports enthusiasts and those who want to become one. A dedicated team will be happy to welcome you at any time.
History
The German Sport & Olympia Museum was officially opened on 25th November 1999. It was created as a "cultural joint venture of German sport". The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) supports the museum as one of its affiliated institutions.
The idea of a national sports museum arose within the context of the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. The aim was to create an inspiring place for a permanent and contemporary presentation of the history and values of sport. An important step was taken in December 1982 with the founding of the non-profit "Verein Deutsches Sportmuseum" (“German Sportmuseum Association”). One of its central tasks was to build up a comprehensive collection of objects relevant to the history of sport and to raise funds for the set-up of the museum.
Thanks to the support of the City of Cologne, the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Federal Government, a listed customs and storage hall from 1896 in Cologne's Rheinauhafen (Rhine harbour area) was acquired and extensively converted for use as a museum. The result was a setting with historical charm for the presentation of an attractive exhibition as well as for temporary presentations and high-calibre events - a much-used place of movement and encounter that has attracted and continues to attract attention far beyond regional and national borders.
