- BMW BERLIN-MARATHON generates €469 million in revenue
- Study highlights outstanding image impact for Berlin
- Busiest day at BER Airport coincides with BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
- Impulses for sports policy and Berlin’s olympic ambitions
Comprehensive study presented in BerlinAt a press conference held today in Berlin, SCC EVENTS—the organizer of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON—presented together with the Senate Department for the Interior and Sports, a comprehensive study on the economic and image-Building impact of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. The study was conducted by Nielsen Sports on behalf of SCC EVENTS.Participants on the podium included the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner; State Secretary for Sport Franziska Becker (Senate Department for the Interior and Sport); Burkhard Kieker, CEO of visitBerlin; and the Managing Directors of SCC EVENTS, Jürgen Lock and Christian Jost.
Total economic output of €469.4 Million The figures speak for themselves: with a total economic output of €469.4 million, the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON serves as a powerful economic engine for the German capital. This sum consists of €142.7 million in direct and €326.7 million in indirect economic output, generated primarily by participants, their accompanying persons, and SCC EVENTS itself. The calculations were deliberately conservative, based on the number of accompanying persons rather than the overall—harder to quantify—number of spectators along the course. For comparison: the approximately 74,000 spectators of the DFB Cup Final generate a direct economic value of €16.2 million for Berlin. Including indirect effects of €34.4 million, this results in a total economic output of €50.6 million.
BMW BERLIN-MARATHON marks busiest day at BER Airport These findings clearly demonstrate that the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON extends far beyond its exceptional sporting significance in Germany—it is a central driving force for Berlin, economically, socially, and culturally. The study offers valuable input for shaping sports policy, particularly regarding Berlin’s bid to host the Olympic Games. Major sporting events and trade fairs remain indispensable catalysts for the capital’s tourism industry. More than 74,000 runners took part in the 2024 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON across all competitions during the event weekend. This remarkable figure is also reflected in travel traffic. The Friday prior to the race was the busiest day of the year at BER Airport..
Strong brand image and high return rate for Berlin In addition to the economic benefits, the event’s image impact was also analyzed. The results: 89 percent of Berlin residents aged 16 to 69 are aware of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON and associate it with values such as “cosmopolitan,” “passionate,” and “likeable.” Furthermore, 95 percent of external participants and their companions expressed their intention to revisit Berlin and actively recommend the city—a strong indicator of the marathon’s enduring tourism appeal as Germany’s largest running event.
Sustainability report of the ISO-certified event also impresses The event’s strengths go beyond the economic: sustainability is also a key focus. The marathon is powered almost entirely by renewable energy. In addition, around 6,000 volunteers support the event each year, and over €6 million in donations are raised for charitable and environmental projects. These and other details are outlined in the Sustainability Report for the ISO-certified BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2024, which addresses ecological, economic, and social sustainability in equal measure.
BMW BERLIN-MARATHON as a global ambassador for Berlin “The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is a global ambassador for Berlin—representing elite and mass sport, lived sustainability, and civic engagement alike,” said Jürgen Lock, Managing Director of SCC EVENTS. “We are pleased to once again provide sound evidence of the event’s added value for the city and for society at large. This study shows the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is far more than an end in itself—it is a driving force for Berlin and well beyond.” The complete evaluation report as well as additional press materials (text, images, and video) are available for download on the SCC EVENTS website and/or can be found attached to this press release.
Downloads
Photos and graphics may be used free of charge for editorial purposes, provided the source is credited. The use of video footage is free of rights and licensing. Additional media material can be found on the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON website.
1.) Jürgen Lock, CEO of SCC EVENTS; the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner; the State Secretary for Sports in the Senate Department for Interior and Sport, Franziska Becker; Burkhard Kieker, CEO of visitBerlin (from left to right).
Photo credit: SCC EVENTS/Petko Beier
2.) Today’s press conference in Berlin on the results of a comprehensive study about the economic and image-building impact of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2024 attracted significant media interest.
Photo credit: SCC EVENTS/Petko Beier
3.) BMW_BERLIN-MARATHON_2024-PK-EPK-(Clip)