XXL Paddling Festival Markkleeberg
Germany's largest paddling test and competition festival on Markkleeberger See — May 8-10, 2026
About XXL Paddling Festival
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Whitewater, Lake, Competitions — Paddling Paradise on the Outskirts of Leipzig
The Kanupark Markkleeberg is one of Europe's most modern whitewater facilities. Originally designed in 2007 for the 2012 Olympic Games in London (London later built its own facility in Lee Valley), the site now serves as a training ground for the German slalom national team, an event location, and since 2014, the venue for the XXL Paddling Festival. Two artificial whitewater courses, each 270 meters long, offer difficulty levels from Whitewater II to IV; alongside them, there's calmer water on the 252-hectare Markkleeberger See. The festival utilizes all three water areas — for testing, competition, and fun.
Test Weekend and Kayak Pinball
At its core, the XXL Paddling Festival is an industry showcase: around 50 brands set up stands, and visitors can test kayaks, canoes, SUPs, vests, paddles, and accessories for free. Anyone looking to buy a new boat can try out more models here in three days than they could in an entire summer on their home river. Competitions run concurrently: the German Whitewater SUP Championship takes place over the whole weekend, and Sunday afternoon is dedicated to the Prijon-hosted Kayak Pinball race — three paddlers per team compete to navigate colored balls through the main course, an action-packed variation of the classic. In addition, there's the XXL Roll-on-Roller competition for skilled rollers and the PALM Junior Trophy for children and youths.
Workshops, Films, Family Program
The festival is not just a destination for experienced paddlers. Freestyle courses and kayak/canoe workshops for beginners, an inclusive Triple Mix Relay race (new for 2026), film workshops with the renowned paddling videographer Olaf Obsommer, and a dedicated area for the little ones round off the program. The Club Challenge provides competitive incentives between clubs.
Markkleeberg, Leipzig Neuseenland
Markkleeberger See is part of the Leipzig Neuseenland — a region south of Leipzig where former open-cast lignite mines have been gradually flooded. Today, it's one of Central Europe's most beautiful watersports landscapes: Cospudener See, Markkleeberger See, Störmthaler See, Zwenkauer See — connected by waterways and cycle paths. The XXL Paddling Festival is a flagship event of this transformation and proof that genuine recreational areas can emerge from industrial scars.
XXL Paddling Festival — edition 2026
12th Edition May 8–10, 2026
Three days of boat testing, competition, and industry gathering at Kanupark Markkleeberg. The exhibition opens on Friday afternoon, and testing and competition run from Friday to Sunday with clear water time slots. New for 2026: an inclusive Triple Mix Relay race that brings together paddlers with and without disabilities.
The German Whitewater SUP Championship takes place over the entire weekend, but the highlight for many visitors is Sunday afternoon with the Prijon Kayak Pinball race — a spectacular show where teams of three maneuver colored balls through the main course. Admission to the exhibition area is free, whitewater access only with a festival ticket.
Programme XXL Paddling Festival 2026
Water Times and Competitions May 8–10, 2026
Friday, May 8
- Exhibition opens in the afternoon
- 6:30 PM–7:30 PM — Water time (testing, acclimatization)
- Freestyle sessions on Markkleeberger See
Saturday, May 9 — Main Day
- 10:30 AM–12:30 PM — 1st Water time
- 1:30 PM–3:30 PM — 2nd Water time
- 4:30 PM–6:00 PM — 3rd Water time
- German Whitewater SUP Championship (heats)
- XXL Roll-on-Roller Competition
- PALM Junior Trophy (children/youth)
- Inclusive Triple Mix Relay Race (new)
- Workshops Kayak, Canoe, SUP, Freestyle
- Film workshop with Olaf Obsommer
Sunday, May 10 — Pinball Highlight
- 10:30 AM–12:15 PM — Water time
- Afternoon — Prijon Kayak Pinball Race (main course, teams of three)
- 1:30 PM–3:30 PM — Water time
- Finals of the German Whitewater SUP Championship
- Award ceremonies and festival closing
Detailed schedule with all competitions and water times at kanupark-markkleeberg.com.
Highlights XXL Paddling Festival 2026
- Germany's largest paddling festival — 12th edition
- Free testing of kayaks, canoes, SUPs, and equipment from ~50 brands
- German Whitewater SUP Championship
- Prijon Kayak Pinball race on Sunday (main event)
- XXL Roll-on-Roller competition
- PALM Junior Trophy for children and youth
- Inclusive Triple Mix Relay race (new for 2026)
- Film workshops with Olaf Obsommer
- Exhibition grounds free, whitewater courses only with ticket
Prices XXL Paddling Festival 2026
Admission to the exhibition is free. Whitewater access only with a festival ticket (valid for three days). Online booking recommended to avoid waiting times at the box office. Minimum age for whitewater: 12 years. Detailed prices on the festival website.
Practical information — XXL Paddling Festival
Date 2026
Friday to Sunday, May 8 to 10, 2026 (12th edition).
Location
Kanupark Markkleeberg, Göselner Str. 4, 04416 Markkleeberg.
Admission
Exhibition grounds: free. Access to whitewater courses and testing/competition areas: only with a festival ticket (valid for three days). Online booking recommended — waiting times at the on-site box office are possible. Minimum age for whitewater access: 12 years.
Water Times
Friday 6:30 PM–7:30 PM; Saturday 10:30 AM–12:30 PM, 1:30 PM–3:30 PM, 4:30 PM–6:00 PM; Sunday 10:30 AM–12:15 PM and 1:30 PM–3:30 PM.
Getting There
By car: A 38 (Markkleeberg exit) or A 14, then follow signs for Kanupark. Parking available on site. By bike via the Leipzig Neuseenland cycle path network. By train: S-Bahn to Markkleeberg Mitte, then approx. 25 min walk or bus.
Organizer
Kanupark Markkleeberg, more info at kanupark-markkleeberg.com and paddelfestival.de.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a XXL Paddling Festival al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place XXL Paddling Festival
Kanupark Markkleeberg am Markkleeberger See
Göselner Str. 4, 04416 Markkleeberg