43rd Sterkrade Play and Sports Weekend 2026

43 Years of Sterkrade Family Festival

The Sterkrade Play and Sports Weekend has been the most important family festival in the Sterkrade district since 1984 — and thus a central date in the Oberhausen event calendar. The 43rd edition will take place on Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26, 2026. The organizer is STIG e.V. (Sterkrader Interessengemeinschaft), which organizes the program together with Sterkrade sports clubs, schools, cultural associations, and local businesses.

21 Sports Clubs, 90+ Performances

The program includes over 90 performances by 40 acts, including 21 sports clubs from Sterkrade and the surrounding area. Sterkrade's city center becomes an open sports stage: Karate demonstrations, gymnastics performances, dance performances, cheerleading, judo, boxing, hockey, football, interactive hands-on stations. Children and young people can try out sports they may not know yet — many clubs use the weekend for junior recruitment.

Mascot Parade on Sunday

The most visually striking program is the Mascot Parade on Sunday, April 26. A total of 13 mascots will march through Sterkrade's city center:

• BEROfant — Mascot of the Bero Center
• Florian der SterkRabe — Sterkrade district mascot
• Klara die Finanzexpertin — Stadtsparkasse Oberhausen
• + 10 other mascots from local clubs, businesses, and institutions

The mascots will perform at two central locations:

• 2:00 PM: Zilianplatz
• 4:15 PM: Technisches Rathaus

Clowns Oli and Felinchen

On Sunday, Clowns Oli and Felinchen will bring balloon modeling to the city center — free balloon figures for children, simple tricks, and participatory magic. They are regular guests at Sterkrade events (also at the Fronleichnamskirmes).

Opening by Mayor Thorsten Berg

The official opening will take place on Saturday, April 25 at 11:00 AM by Mayor Thorsten Berg — traditionally with a welcome speech, a short tour, and meeting the participating clubs.

Sunday Shopping 1:00 PM–6:00 PM

On Sunday, April 26, Sterkrade shops will be open from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The Sunday shopping is part of the concept: STIG e.V. brings together club, sports, family, and retail programs in a single event. So, if you want to shop after the sports demonstrations, you can do it all in one go.

Sterkrade — A District with Its Own Character

Sterkrade is the northern district of Oberhausen with over 80,000 inhabitants — larger than some towns in the surrounding area. With its own city center, train station, market square, and an active STIG interest group, Sterkrade has its own identity, which the Play and Sports Weekend celebrates annually. Anyone who wants to get to know the district culture in the Ruhr area will find a concentrated example here.