Berlin fire brigade: International competitions in 2026 can be canceled for financing!

Berlin fire brigade: International competitions in 2026 can be canceled for financing!

Berlin, Deutschland - On June 18, 2025, the German Fire Brigade Association (DFV) announced that the International CTIF fire brigade competitions in 2026 were canceled in Berlin. This decision was made unanimously after detailed consultations by the DFV Presidium and the State Fire Brigade Associations. The Berlin fire brigade regrets the situation because the competitions were planned as the highlight for the 175th anniversary of the Berlin fire brigade and should attract more than 3,500 fire service members from over 30 countries.

Since 2023, comprehensive preparations for the competitions in Berlin have been made. These included the planning of event sites, personnel resources and the entire process organization. Despite these comprehensive efforts, the necessary financing could not be ensured. Oral support commitments from federal politics remained without concrete results, which led to the cancellation of the event.

Financial hurdles and political framework conditions

The cancellation is primarily explained by the current financial bottlenecks and the changes in the political landscape of Germany. Current framework conditions, including a change of government and financial uncertainties, led to considerable pressure on the organization of the event. The global political situation, characterized by conflicts and wars, has also strongly influenced the planning. As a result, a working group that has been working on logistical and infrastructural challenges since 2024 could not find a sustainable solution.

A proposal for reducing costs that should be developed together with the International Competition Commission was not awaited by the decision -makers. It is critically noted that this decision failed without the inclusion of the Berlin fire brigade, which caused additional disappointment.

A look back at the planned competitions

The competitions should have included a variety of disciplines. This included, among other things, the "hook ladder climb", the "extinguishing attacks" and other sporting challenges that provided exchange and competition in an international framework. The last international fire brigade competitions in Berlin took place in 1993, and the anticipation for a return of this traditionally important event was great.

The DFV President Karl-Heinz Banse thanked everyone who had been committed to the competitions and emphasized the importance of cross-nation values of the World Fire Brigade Association. The fire brigade in Berlin was aiming to not only promote sporting competition through these events, but also to strengthen networks and to intensify the exchange among fire brigade.

The cancellation of the CTIF fire brigade competitions 2026 is therefore not only a missed opportunity for the Berlin fire brigade, but also for the entire fire brigade community, which comes together at an international level to exchange experiences and support each other. Despite the disappointment, the prospect of a future, successful event remains as part of the fire brigade competitions.

Fireworld reports that the competitions should take place from July 19 to 26, 2026.
rbb24 emphasizes that the last termination of the competitions in Berlin has been over 30 years ago.
association office emphasizes the high number of participants and the planned traditions with the fire brigade.