73rd FIL Congress in June 2025 in Tampere, Finland

Berchtesgaden (FIL/17 Apr 2025) The 73rd Congress of the International Luge Federation (FIL) will take place on June 18-19, 2025 in Tampere, Finland. This World Congress will be held with 34 national federations in attendance – a strong signal of global engagement in the sport of luge.

The program begins with an official welcome by FIL President Einars Fogelis and the Finnish host, followed by the roll call and voting procedures led by Secretary General Dwight Bell.

Among the key agenda items are:
•         The admission of new FIL member federations
•         Executive board reports, including updates from the President and Secretary General, as well as a detailed overview of the Olympic Qualification System for Milano-Cortina 2026
•         A preliminary discussion and voting on motions, including the ongoing resolution concerning the participation of Russian athletes under the IOC's AIN framework
•         Review of financial matters, the Control Commission’s report, and setting the membership fees
•         Strategic planning updates as part of “Slide 2026”, and progress reports from the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Organizing Committee
•         Presentations and decisions regarding future FIL Championships up to 2029
•         Final determination of the 2027 FIL Congress location
 

The Congress promises to be a pivotal moment for the international luge community, shaping the direction of the sport in the years leading up to and beyond the Olympic Winter Games in 2026.

The congress will be held in the prestigious Tampere Hall, one of Europe's leading conference centers. Tampere Hall is directly connected to the Courtyard by Marriott Tampere City, the official congress hotel.

In 2019, the Tampere Hall became a carbon-neutral property, which together with the Courtyard by Marriott Tampere City Hotel forms a carbon-neutral block. The hotel is particularly proud of its outstanding sustainability concept. As a sustainable conference hotel, it focuses on environmentally friendly practices that not only reduce its carbon footprint but also support the local environment. The hotel's environmentally conscious initiatives include:

• The Green Choice Deluxe program, in which three trees are planted for each stay.
• A comprehensive sustainability program with a special manual for guests.
• Green Key and LEED certification, which ensures the highest standards of environmental protection and resource conservation.
• Membership of the “We Speak Gay” community, which promotes inclusion and diversity.
• Use of eco-friendly energy from the Tammerkoski rapids, as well as provision of e-parking spaces and carpooling areas for guests.
• The hotel has its own rooftop beehives, and the honey produced is served in the hotel restaurant.

Tampere Hall itself is also committed to sustainability and social responsibility. It is a leading example of environmentally conscious management and socially responsible corporate governance. Further information on Tampere Hall's sustainability concept can be found here.

FIL President Einars Fogelis is pleased: “We chose Tampere and the Courtyard by Marriott City Hotel for our 2025 World Congress because we were convinced by the sustainability concept. In times of climate change, we want to act as carefully as possible, conserve resources and be environmentally friendly. We have an ecological responsibility and should think in a future-oriented way so that winter sports will still be possible in 30 years,” said Einars Fogelis.

The FIL Congress provides a platform for representatives of the FIL's national member federations and experts in international luge to set the course for the future of the sport. Topics such as sport development, rule changes and strategic decisions will be the focus of the two-day event.