Sports halls

Certify sustainable sports halls with the DGNB

Compared to other types of buildings, sports halls have a number of special features. This applies in particular to the subsequent use, which should already be taken into account in the planning stage in terms of sustainability. Accordingly, the DGNB System addresses the various concepts behind the different forms of operation of a sports hall. These include a utilisation and a safety concept, a traffic and visitor guidance concept as well as a concept for the operation of sports for the disabled. The latter illustrates the importance of the topic of social inclusion in the building type "sports halls". At the same time, the certification system serves as an orientation aid for the promotion of sustainable sports hall construction.

The sports halls scheme is in the pilot phase and can be registered in the 2018 version of the DGNB System for New Construction of Buildings. For detailed information on the scheme and project registration, please contact info@dgnb.de by email as well as a.bandke@dgnb.de and k.sternsdorff@dgnb.de in CC. Please mention "Neubau Sporthallen, Version 2018" in the subject line.

  • Contribution to climate action through reduced emissions of greenhouse gases over the entire life cycle
  • High quality of stay for users
  • Good indoor air hygiene
  • No use of building materials that are harmful to health and the environment
  • Low CO2 footprint
  • Contribution to social inclusion
  • Involvement of users in the process of sustainable management
  • Use of energy-efficient technologies
  • Lower operating and maintenance costs
  • Good water quality

The certificate is aimed at all organisations that want to plan and build a sports hall. These can be associations or clubs, municipalities or investors from the construction industry. Anyone who wants to purchase or rent a sports hall for use can use the DGNB certificate as independently verified proof of the holistic sustainability quality of the building.

  • Holistic consideration of all relevant sustainability requirements
  • Transparent and independent quality award and assurance during planning, construction and operation
  • Transparency with regard to ressource efficency and emissions
  • Detailed building documentation
  • Communication of the project to the public and increase of acceptance
  • Contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • High degree of future security through reduction of cost-intensive risks
  • Long-term usability

Two criteria included in comparison to most other types of use are "light pollution" and "user communication". The criterion "immission control", which takes into account protection against noise penetrating to the outside, is also part of the certification of sustainable sports halls. Finally, the question of possible use as emergency accommodation is also addressed. In addition to the usual consideration of the materials and products brought in under the aspects of environmental impact, resource consumption and life cycle costs, the built-in sports equipment and outdoor irrigation are also part of the certification for sports halls.

The scheme includes all halls and rooms for sports and multi-purpose use that are predominantly used for sports activities. Sports halls that fall under the Ordinance on Places of Assembly (in German: Versammlungsstättenverordnung) can also be mapped via the scheme as part of the pilot phase.

Selected DGNB certified projects

Dreifachsporthalle Zorneding
Dreifachsporthalle Zorneding, Zorneding
Buildings New Construction
Sports Halls
BallsportARENA Dresden
BallsportARENA Dresden, Dresden
Buildings New Construction
Sports Halls

Overview of all
criteria and schemes

In order to address the individual characteristics of your building project, the DGNB System takes into account a variety of criteria and schemes.
You can find an overview here.

Overview of all criteria and schemes

Project registration

To register a project, clients must first hire a DGNB Auditor. This auditor can then register the project. Auditors also accompany the entire process and take over the verification and submission to the DGNB. They are active worldwide and specialise in certain schemes.

The DGNB System Version 2020 International is not yet available for this scheme. However, DGNB Auditors with German language skills can combine and adapt the full range of current German schemes with the DGNB System Version 2020 International in order to certify other building types.

Find a dgnb auditor

Scale of fees

Project registration


Your contact

Ralf Pimiskern

Ralf Pimiskern

Director DGNB Certification

Karen Sternsdorff

Karen Sternsdorff

Senior Consultant Certification Buildings