Renntag des Sports Hoppegarten

Horse Racing with Berlin Flair

The Galopprennbahn Hoppegarten, east of Berlin, is one of Europe's most traditional racecourses — founded in 1868, it was one of the continent's most important horse racing centers during the Imperial era. Today, Hoppegarten is East Germany's most important horse racing center and hosts several major race days per year. The Renntag des Sports is one of them — a combination of top-class horse racing, the patronage of the Sports Senator, and a family-friendly supporting program.

July 19, 2026 — Patronage by Iris Spranger

The 2026 edition takes place on Sunday, July 19, 2026, under the patronage of Berlin Senator for the Interior and Sport Iris Spranger. Admission at 9:45 AM, first race at 11:15 AM. Throughout the day, there will be 7-8 horse races in various classes and over different distances.

Main Race — Großer Preis der BBF-Gruppe / Fürstenberg-Rennen

The main race in 2026 is the Großer Preis der BBF-Gruppe – Fürstenberg-Rennen, a Group III race over 2,400 m with a prize of €55,000. The race is considered the 'first seasonal comparison between three-year-olds and older horses at the highest level.' A must-attend event for horse lovers in the German horse racing calendar.

Mascot Race and Family Program

A special feature of the Renntag des Sports is the Mascot Race: The racecourse mascot Hoppi competes against 12 club mascots — from Hertha BSC's mascot and Union Berlin's counterparts to mascots from Brandenburg and Berlin sports clubs. For younger visitors, there are pony rides, face painting, and a bouncy castle. Live music from a main stage band creates the atmosphere, and picnics next to the finish line are explicitly encouraged.

Beer Garden and Gastronomy

The Hoppegarten racecourse describes its beer garden as 'the most beautiful beer garden in the capital region' — and rightly so: old linden trees, long tables, views of the track, bratwurst, Berlin beer, along with international cuisine and café stands. The gastronomy is one of the key reasons to visit a race day at Hoppegarten — even if you know nothing about horse racing.

Hoppegarten — Berlin's Suburban Racecourse

Hoppegarten is a municipality in the district of Märkisch-Oderland, directly east of Berlin and reachable in 25 minutes by S-Bahn line S5 from Alexanderplatz. The racecourse has been inseparably linked with the town since the Imperial era — today, it's a green, listed site with stables, grandstands, and historic saddling-up area architecture. Those who visit Hoppegarten should take the opportunity to explore the Brandenburg countryside around Berlin.