New sports facility creates additional space – but the shortage of indoor sports halls in Darmstadt remains
With the Ludwigshöhe Hall, the city of Darmstadt has opened a new sports facility for schools, clubs, and the growing Ludwigshöhe district. In addition to the hall, the complex includes a pump track, a multi-purpose field for soccer and handball, and a basketball court. Despite the additional capacity, the demand for indoor sports time in Darmstadt remains higher than the available supply.
The Ludwigshöh Hall was officially opened on Thursday, August 13, 2026. It is part of the social infrastructure for the Ludwigshöh district, where housing for around 3,000 people is being built. The hall is intended to meet the needs of the planned new school in the district and will also be available for club sports.
"The Ludwigshöhhalle creates additional space for a growing neighborhood. It improves the conditions for school and club sports and complements the freely accessible exercise opportunities in the district," explains Mayor and Head of Sports Hanno Benz.
At the same time, the project makes clear the conditions under which municipal infrastructure must be planned and built today: high demand and scarce space, as well as legal and structural requirements that make the processes more complicated rather than simpler.
Sports area for numerous clubs
The actual sports area of the Ludwigshöhhalle measures 60 by 21 meters. Although it does not conform to standard dimensions, according to the city it can still be used for competitions in sports such as handball and basketball.
The hall is intended primarily for basketball, gymnastics, table tennis, volleyball, handball, and hockey. Future users include TV 1876 Eberstadt, TG 07 Eberstadt, TG Bessungen, TEC Darmstadt, and the 1st Table Tennis Club Darmstadt. The Emmy Noether School will also use the new sports facility.
The hall is complemented by two multi-purpose rooms in the north and south of the building. These are available for all-day childcare and club use. The Darmstadt Chess Forum will also move in there in August.
In addition, the Ludwigshöhhalle can be used as an assembly venue, thus fulfilling another function for the new district.
Pumptrack and sports fields freely accessible
Not only schools and clubs benefit from the new facility. The pump track, the multi-purpose field, and the basketball court are freely available and expand the public exercise opportunities in the Ludwigshöhe district.
The site also offers possibilities for future expansion. These could be utilized once the temporary school currently housed there has relocated, as currently planned, by 2029.
The facility also includes 20 car parking spaces, including spaces with charging infrastructure, as well as around 100 bicycle parking spaces.
Approximately 700,000 euros below the planned budget
The facility is operated by Darmstädter Sportstätten GmbH & Co. KG. According to the city, the Ludwigshöhe Hall was completed on time and within budget. The project came in approximately €700,000 under the estimated budget of €14.7 million.
For Mayor Benz, this is not a given considering the current conditions in the construction sector. At the same time, he sees opportunities for acceleration in future municipal construction projects.
“If we want to respond more quickly to growing demand, we need more practical framework conditions – and not self-imposed high standards,” said Benz.
Benz brings modular construction back into the discussion
With regard to further building projects, the mayor also points to modular construction. He believes it can offer advantages in terms of construction time and costs, given the sharply increased construction costs and the tight deadlines. However, this is contingent on the site and the surrounding buildings being suitable and such a decision being made early in the project development process.
“Acceleration occurs where legal, planning and site-specific requirements are brought together early on – and that’s where we have some catching up to do in urban planning,” explains Benz.
Despite the new Ludwigshöhe Hall, securing available hall time remains a challenge. According to the city, it is already foreseeable that the new sports facility will not be able to meet the citywide demand.
Ludwigshöhe Hall at a glance
Sports area: 60 × 21 meters
Use: School, club and competitive sports as well as events
Sports: including handball, basketball, volleyball, hockey, gymnastics and table tennis
Additional features: two multi-purpose rooms, pump track, multi-purpose field and basketball court
Budget: 14.7 million euros
Result: approximately 700,000 euros under budget
Parking: 20 car and approximately 100 bicycle parking spaces
Operator: Darmstädter Sportstätten GmbH & Co. KG
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/ho)
Featured image: Mayor Hanno Benz (second from right) at the opening of the sports hall. Photo: City of Darmstadt
