What DJK does

DJK-Sportverband e.V. is the Catholic sports federation in Germany, founded in 1920 and headquartered in Langenfeld/Rheinland. The federation operates as a registered non-profit association (Eingetragener Verein) under the German Catholic Church umbrella and is a member federation of the Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund (DOSB). It serves member clubs affiliated with Catholic parishes and organizations across Germany, as well as Catholic youth organizations and competitive athletes of all ages and abilities, with explicit emphasis on inclusion of athletes with and without disabilities. Its value proposition centers on combining athletic activity with Christian values (fairness, respect, inclusion), codified in its "10 Gebote des Sports" and the motto "Sport um der Menschen Willen."

DJK's core offerings span 18 sports disciplines (Badminton, Basketball, Boule, Darts, Faustball, Fußball, Gymnastics and Dance, Handball, Judo, Athletics, Rhönrad, Shooting, Swimming, Sportkegeln, Tennis, Table Tennis, Tumbling, Volleyball) delivered through a federated network of diocesan (Diözesanverbände), state (Landesverbände), and local member clubs. Major events include the quadrennial Bundessportfest (20th edition held in Essen in 2026), DJK-Bundesmeisterschaften, Bundeswinterspiele, and participation in international FICEP/FISEC Games. The youth wing, DJK Sportjugend, runs the annual Bundesjugendtag, international youth exchanges, volunteer programs, and digital training courses such as the accredited "Fit in religiöser Vielfalt" program. Supporting digital services include a mobile app, monthly newsletter, and the Vereinsportal (Club Portal).

The federation's revenue model is multi-source and non-commercial: membership fees flow from individual members and clubs through the federated structure; public grants come from BMFSFJ, BAFzA, and the EU (Erasmus+ Youth, INVEST); foundation funding from Aktion Mensch and Adveniat supports specific inclusion and international projects; and program partnerships with BZgA (Kinder stark machen), DOSB Führungsakademie, and Special Olympics Deutschland provide operational support. Merchandise revenue is generated through the DJK Shop. Go-to-market is primarily through the church-affiliated club network and interfaith partnerships (CVYM, Makkabi, FSCF), with a small paid digital continuing-education offering representing a nascent monetization channel.

Name

DJK

Legal name

DJK-Sportverband e.V.

Website

https://djk.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DJK-Sportverband e.V. is Germany's Catholic sports federation (founded 1920), serving member clubs, Catholic youth organizations, and amateur athletes across 18 sports disciplines through federated diocesan and parish-level structures, quadrennial events, and values-based programming under the motto "Sport um der Menschen Willen."

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Amateur Sports Federation Services

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121), Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events (7113)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Amateur Sport Governing Bodies & Federations (National/Regional) (MPAKACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK), Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE), Amateur & Grassroots Sport Associations (Community/Youth Governing Orgs) (MPAKAFAF)

Keywords

• Catholic sports federation
• Amateur sports programs
• Youth sports organization
• Values-based athletics
• Member club sports

Headquarters

HQ city

Langenfeld

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

DJK-Sportverband e.V. operates as Germany's Catholic, values-oriented sports federation, organising amateur sports programs across 18 disciplines and a network of member clubs affiliated with Catholic parishes. The federation delivers national and international sports events (Bundessportfest, Bundesmeisterschaften, Bundeswinterspiele, FICEP/FISEC Games), youth development programs through the DJK Sportjugend sub-brand, spiritual-sports retreats, license-renewal training, and supporting digital services (mobile app, club portal, newsletter) to its member clubs and individual athletes.

Product overview

DJK-Sportverband e.V. is a Catholic, values-oriented sports federation in Germany offering a unified portfolio of services including sports programs across 18 disciplines (Badminton, Basketball, Boule, Darts, Faustball, Fußball, Gymnastik und Tanz, Handball, Judo, Leichtathletik, Rhönrad, Schießen, Schwimmen, Sportkegeln, Tennis, Tischtennis, Turnen, Volleyball), youth development through the DJK Sportjugend sub-brand, and major events including the quadrennial Bundessportfest, DJK-Bundesmeisterschaften, and participation in international FICEP/FISEC Games. The federation provides digital services including a mobile app, newsletter, and club portal (Vereinsportal), along with educational programs like Fit in religiöser Vielfalt and Sportexerzitien spiritual retreats.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DJK Sportjugend: The Catholic youth sports organization of DJK, ecumenically open to all young people, promoting sporting, social, cultural and religious diversity.

Products and services

• DJK-Sportverband e.V. (DJK Sports Federation membership) Membership in Germany's Catholic sports federation, providing access to the federated network of member clubs, national and international competitions across 18 disciplines (Badminton, Basketball, Boule, Darts, Faustball, Football, Gymnastics and Dance, Handball, Judo, Athletics, Rhönrad, Shooting, Swimming, Sportkegeln, Tennis, Table Tennis, Tumbling, Volleyball), coach training, and the Catholic values-based sports community.
• DJK Sportjugend (DJK Sports Youth) Youth sports membership and activities under DJK Sportjugend, providing young people aged 14-30 with sporting, social, cultural, and religious programming. Includes the annual Bundesjugendtag, international youth exchanges, volunteer programs, and youth-specific sports activities.
• Bundessportfest Quadrennial national sports festival bringing together athletes from across the DJK federation for competitions in multiple sports disciplines, held every four years (20th edition in Essen 2026).
• DJK-Bundesmeisterschaften National championship competitions organised across various sports disciplines within the DJK federation for member-club athletes.
• DJK-Bundeswinterspiele Winter sports games within the federation featuring competitions in winter sports disciplines for DJK member-club athletes.
• FICEP/FISEC Games International Catholic sports games organised by the Fédération Internationale Catholique d'Éducation Physique et Sportive (FICEP) and the Fédération Internationale Sportive de l'Enseignement Catholique (FISEC), featuring youth exchanges and competitions across 10 member countries.
• DJK Sportverband App Mobile application for DJK Sports Federation members providing access to news, events, and member services on smartphone devices.
• Sportexerzitien (Sports Exercises) Spiritual sports retreats combining physical activity with Christian spiritual development, offered as part of DJK's values-based programming for members.
• Fit in religiöser Vielfalt (Digital Training Course) Digital continuing education program for coaches and officials on religious diversity in sports. Accredited for license renewal (8 learning units: self-study plus online meeting) for Übungsleiter*in C, Jugendleiter*in, and Vereinsmanager*in C licenses, offered for a fee of €20.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, minor and regional.

• DOSB (Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDJK is a member federation of the DOSB, Germany's national Olympic sports confederation. This partnership integrates DJK into the broader German sports landscape and provides access to DOSB resources, training programs, and sports development initiatives.
• CVJM Deutschland (Christlicher Verein Junger Menschen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership of over 50 years between Catholic DJK and Protestant CVJM. Organizations collaborate on interfaith dialogue, joint events, and youth exchange programs. Both are part of the Euro 2024 Stakeholder Initiative for human rights and sustainability.
• Makkabi DeutschlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership of over 50 years between DJK and Jewish sports federation Makkabi. Organizations conduct joint initiatives including interfaith dialogue and cooperate in Euro 2024 Stakeholder Initiative. DJK Sportjugend signed letter of intent with Makkabi Deutschland Jugend in January 2026.
• FSCF (Fédération Sportive et Culturelle de France)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular youth exchanges between DJK Sportjugend and French FSCF, including participation in Paralympic Games in Paris 2024. Exchanges are funded by Deutsch-Französisches Jugendwerk (DFJW).
• Special Olympics DeutschlandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDJK Sportjugend cooperates with Special Olympics Deutschland and signed letter of intent in January 2026. Cooperates on inclusion of athletes with intellectual disabilities and participated in National Games Saarland 2026 discussions.
• FICEP (Fédération Internationale Catholique d'Éducation Physique et Sportive)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDJK is a member of FICEP, international Catholic sports federation with 11 member organizations from 10 countries. FICEP organizes international sports events including FICEP-FISEC Games and annual FICEP Camps. DJK regularly participates and hosts camps.
• Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on 'Kinder stark machen' (Children Strong Making) project. DJK promotes BZgA's substance abuse prevention program 'Kinder stark machen' and offers free 'Spiele machen Kinder stark' trainings for member clubs.
• AdveniatminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatholic Church development organization that supports DJK's international youth work. Adveniat funded Colombia exchange program and sends volunteers to Latin America.
• Sportland NRWregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional sports promotion organization for North Rhine-Westphalia, supporting sports initiatives in the state where DJK headquarters is located.
• DOSB FührungsakademieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDOSB's leadership academy providing training and education for sports managers and coaches, accessible to DJK members.
• Bundesinstitut für Öffentliche GesundheitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal institute for public health with which DJK Sportjugend agreed to cooperate in January 2026.
• AGIAMONDOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman development organization that facilitated professional exchange in Colombia on violence prevention in football, connecting DJK with fan organizations of Deportivo Cali and América de Cali.
• Spirit of FootballminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization participating in Colombia exchange focused on using football for social change and peacebuilding, including 'Ballreise' (ball journey) educational project.
• Sportjugend NRWregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerSports youth organization of North Rhine-Westphalia that has participated in Bundesjugendtag events and cooperates on youth initiatives.
• BDKJ (Bund der Deutschen Katholischen Jugend)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDJK Sportjugend is working toward full membership in BDKJ, the umbrella organization for Catholic youth work in Germany, to strengthen its position in Catholic children's and youth associations.

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Eichenkreuz Turnerschaft: Protestant gymnastics and sports association within the German Turner movement — a confessional multi-discipline federation with comparable values-based positioning, federated club structure, and reliance on Protestant institutional partnerships.
• CVJM Deutschland: The Protestant counterpart to DJK — a Christian values-based youth and sports association in Germany. Operates an analogous federated network, runs shared interfaith programs with DJK (50+ year partnership), and competes for the same values-driven amateur sports participant pool.
• Makkabi Deutschland: Jewish sports association in Germany with comparable federated structure, religious-identity mission, and interfaith orientation. Maintains a 50+ year partnership with DJK (LOI signed Jan 2026) and competes for the same confessionally affiliated amateur sports membership.

Broad incumbents

• Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB): Germany's national football federation — the dominant organization in one of DJK's core 18 sports disciplines (Fußball). A broad incumbent with vastly greater resources, media rights, and member base that DJK's football clubs are also affiliated with.
• Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund (DOSB): Germany's national Olympic sports confederation — DJK is a member federation. DOSB sets overarching policy, distributes Sportdeutschland platform resources, and represents the institutional layer above DJK, making it both regulator and enabler.
• Deutscher Turner-Bund (DTB): Germany's national gymnastics federation — the dominant organization in gymnastics disciplines that DJK also offers (Gymnastik und Tanz, Turnen). A broad incumbent competing for the same participant pool in gymnastics at professional and amateur levels.

Regional players

• Landessportbund Nordrhein-Westfalen: Regional state-level sports confederation for North Rhine-Westphalia — the state where DJK's headquarters (Langenfeld) is located. Operates as a peer-tier organization at sub-national level, administering Sportland NRW programs and competing for the same member club affiliations within NRW.

Emerging players

• Special Olympics Deutschland: National inclusion sports organization with growing overlap into DJK's portfolio — DJK signed an LOI in Jan 2026 and cooperates on inclusion of athletes with intellectual disabilities. Comparable in mission around inclusive amateur sports, distinct in operating model (event-based vs federated club).

Others

• Bund der Deutschen Katholischen Jugend (BDKJ): Catholic youth umbrella organization in Germany that DJK Sportjugend is pursuing full membership in. Not a direct sports peer, but a closely adjacent Catholic institutional partner and (upon admission) governance counterpart shaping DJK Sportjugend's positioning within the broader Catholic youth ecosystem.
• Deutsche Sportjugend (dsj): National youth sports umbrella within DOSB — coordinates youth programs across all member federations including DJK Sportjugend. Provides funding pathways and federal-level advocacy; not a direct competitor but an institutional layer shaping DJK Sportjugend's funding and policy environment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/djksportverband
• Instagraminstagram.com/djksportjugend/?hl=de
• Xx.com/djksportverband

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DJK