The ISTAF Indoor in Düsseldorf: Schedule, Stars, Prize Money - ISTAF Indoor brings Olympic stars to Düsseldorf this weekend
The ISTAF Indoor athletics event returns to Düsseldorf this Saturday, bringing together German Olympic champions and top international athletes. Fans can watch the action live on ARD’s media library from 5:50 PM, with a highlights package airing on Sportschau the following day. The competition will feature prize money for the top six finishers in every discipline.
The event kicks off with youth competitions, wheelchair sprints, and a Special Olympics shuttle relay. The official opening ceremony begins at 6:05 PM, followed by the first major highlight: the women’s long jump at 6:22 PM, where Olympic champion Malaika Mihambo will compete. Fellow gold medallist Yemisi Ogunleye will also take part in the shot put, alongside Germany’s 100-metre record holder Owen Ansah and pole vaulter Bo Kanda Lita Baehre.
International stars like American Sam Kendricks, Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, and British sprinter Jeremiah Azu will add to the competition’s prestige. Winners in each event will earn $2,000, with $1,200 for second place and $800 for third.
Looking ahead, the German Indoor Championships will move to Dortmund in five weeks, while the outdoor German Championships take place in Bochum-Wattenscheid from July 24–26. That meet will serve as a final test for athletes before the European Championships in Birmingham in mid-August. Meanwhile, the historic combined events meeting in Ratingen returns on June 27–28 after last year’s cancellation. The 2026 German Indoor Championships are already scheduled for Leipzig from February 20–22, 2026.
The ISTAF Indoor event offers fans a chance to see world-class athletics before a busy summer season. With live coverage on ARD and prize money on the line, the competition sets the stage for upcoming national and European championships. The results will help shape Germany’s team selections for Birmingham in August.
