Great joy for Tobias Wendl (2nd f.l.) and Tobias Arlt (3rd f.l.) at the award ceremony conducted by Bavaria’s Minister-President Markus Söder (2nd f.r.) and Bavaria’s Minister of Agriculture Michaela Kaniber (r.).
Ceremonial Reopening of the Track at Königssee
The entire FIL Executive Board witnessed a historic moment for international luge
The world’s oldest artificial ice track has celebrated its restart. On Wednesday, the LOTTO Bayern Eisarena Königssee was ceremonially reopened — and the International Luge Federation FIL was represented in full force: the entire FIL Executive Board, which had gathered for the extraordinary FIL Congress on November 12 in nearby Berchtesgaden, attended the ceremony. A stronger signal of this track’s importance in the world luge calendar could not have been given.
FIL President Einars Fogelis said: “The facility at Königssee is a special track, and it is a piece of our sport’s history. The fact that we are standing here today as an entire Executive Board is no coincidence. It is a commitment.”
Bavaria’s political and sporting elite had also made their way to Schönau am Königssee. Minister-President Markus Söder travelled alongside Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann, Finance Minister Albert Füracker, Minister of Agriculture Michaela Kaniber, and Minister of the Environment Thorsten Glauber. “The artificial ice track at Königssee is an unrivalled talent factory,” Söder emphasised. “19 Olympic victories, 21 gold medals speak for themselves. There is no comparable, more successful model.” For him, there had therefore only ever been one decision: to rebuild. “We need the LOTTO Bayern Eisarena as a performance centre and for the entire region.”
The region responded in kind: large crowds came to witness the restart — and the athletes put their feelings into words. Double Olympic champion Johannes Lochner admitted: “At times, I had stopped believing it would happen.” What had begun after the storm damage in July 2021 as a plan for swift reconstruction demanded far more patience from all involved than expected.
All the greater, then, the relief. “It feels so good to race in our living room again,” said Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt, who also claimed the German Luge Championships title. Joining them on the top step of the podium: local hero Felix Loch, overall World Cup champion Julia Taubitz, and the women’s doubles pairing of Elisa Marie Storch and Pauline Patz.
The 2026/27 season will close with the EBERSPÄCHER Luge World Cup from March 5–7, 2027, right here at Königssee. Tickets and further information are available at eisarena-koenigssee.de. Title sponsor LOTTO Bayern simultaneously extended its contract as Presenting Sponsor: Chairman Thomas Schwab and Vice President of the State Lottery and Casino Administration Joachim Buchwieser signed the continuation of the partnership.
