What German Skating Union does

Deutsche Eislauf-Union e.V. (DEU) is Germany's official national figure skating federation, operating as a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) headquartered in Munich at Menzinger Strasse 68. It is the sole ISU- and DOSB-recognized governing body for figure skating in Germany and oversees all four disciplines — Einzellaufen (singles), Paarlaufen (pairs), Eistanzen (ice dancing), and Synchroneiskunstlaufen (synchronized skating). Membership exceeds 20,000 as of January 2026, organized hierarchically through 13 state ice sports associations (Landeseissportverbände) that coordinate hundreds of affiliated clubs across all German Bundesländer.

The federation's operational scope spans national team management across four squad tiers (Olympiakader, Perspektivkader, Bundeskader, and Nachwuchskader), competition organization (Deutsche Meisterschaften, Deutsche Nachwuchsmeisterschaften, Deutschlandpokal, Bavarian Open, Nebelhorn Trophy, plus hosting of European and World Championships), training infrastructure (three Bundesstützpunkte in Berlin, Dortmund, and Oberstdorf), coach education and certification, athlete health and dual-career support, and scientific research programs (LIDA Eiskunstlaufen, MISSIE BISp Innovationsprojekt, and a collaboration with the IAT in Leipzig). A digital licensing infrastructure (Pässe / Lizenzen) and an online training platform (RTK Online) extend the federation's service delivery. Brand positioning leverages Germany's status as the fourth most successful Olympic figure skating nation, a legacy including the 2018 Savchenko/Massot Olympic gold.

Revenue mechanics are non-commercial and non-transactional. The federation is funded through membership-related contributions flowing from affiliated clubs via the 13 state associations, event-hosting revenues, and sponsorships (Chique Sport is a disclosed equipment and apparel partner), supplemented by allocations from the Bundesregierung, Deutsche Sporthilfe, and DOSB. There is no consumer-facing pricing or product sales; revenue scaling is determined by membership growth, hosted-event cadence, sponsorship renewals, and public funding stability rather than commercial monetization. No revenue figure, funding rounds, or external equity are disclosed.

Name

German Skating Union

Legal name

Deutsche Eislauf-Union e.V.

Website

https://eislauf-union.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1892

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Deutsche Eislauf-Union e.V. is Germany's official national figure skating federation. It governs all four figure skating disciplines on behalf of 20,000+ members via 13 state associations, manages national teams, hosts international competitions, and operates three federal training centers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

National Figure Skating Federation

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• National figure skating federation
• Sports federation governance
• Elite athlete development
• Ice skating competition organization
• Coach education certification

Headquarters

HQ city

München

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Revenue from affiliated clubs through state ice sports associations (Landeseissportverbände). The 13 LEVs serve as both organizational structure and membership conduit.
2. Event Organization: Hosting and organizing national and international figure skating competitions in Germany, including Deutsche Meisterschaften, Deutsche Nachwuchsmeisterschaften, and major international events.
3. Sponsorship: Partnerships with sponsors where sponsorship funds are reinvested into the sport. The DEU Nationalteam is equipped by partner Chique Sport.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Deutsche Eislauf-Union e.V. is Germany's official national figure skating federation, governing the sport across four disciplines (singles, pairs, ice dancing, and synchronized skating). It organizes national and international competitions (Deutsche Meisterschaften, Bavarian Open, Nebelhorn Trophy), manages German national team squads (Olympiakader, Perspektivkader, Bundeskader), runs three federal training centers (Bundesstützpunkte) in Berlin, Dortmund, and Oberstdorf, and delivers coach certification, athlete licensing, and research-driven training science programs.

Product overview

Deutsche Eislauf-Union e.V. (DEU) operates as Germany's national figure skating federation, organizing and managing figure skating competitions and training programs. The organization offers a unified sports management platform covering four core disciplines: Einzellaufen (Singles), Paarlaufen (Pairs), Eistanzen (Ice Dancing), and Synchroneiskunstlaufen (Synchronized Skating). The DEU provides national team management (Olympiakader, Perspektivkader, Bundeskader), organizes major competitive events including German Championships, European Championships, World Championships, and Olympic competitions, manages training programs with Bundesstützpunkte (federal training centers) in Berlin, Dortmund, and Oberstdorf, and supports athlete development through research initiatives including LIDA Eiskunstlaufen, MISSIE, and BISp Innovationsprojekt. Additional services include coach education and certification, anti-doping programs, health management, and dual career support for athletes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• National Team Management (Nationalmannschaft) Comprehensive management of the German figure skating national teams, including the Olympiakader (Olympic squad), Perspektivkader (perspective squad), and Bundeskader (federal squad) with Nachwuchskader (youth) divisions, including athlete selection, training camps, and international nomination.
• Competition Organization (Wettkampforganisation) Organization of German Championships (Deutsche Meisterschaften), German Youth Championships, Deutschlandpokal, German Club Championships, and hosting of international events including World Championships, European Championships, Bavarian Open, and Nebelhorn Trophy.
• Federal Training Centers (Bundesstützpunkte) Three national training hubs located in Berlin, Dortmund, and Oberstdorf providing elite-level training infrastructure for German figure skaters.
• Coach Education (Aus- und Fortbildung Trainer) Comprehensive trainer certification and continuing education programs including initial training and professional development courses for figure skating coaches.
• Membership Services — Sports Passes and Licenses (Pässe / Lizenzen) Digital and physical sports passes and licenses administered to athletes, coaches, and officials within the German figure skating system.
• Research Programs (Forschungsprogramme) Scientific research initiatives including LIDA Eiskunstlaufen, MISSIE, BISp Innovationsprojekt, and IAT research collaboration for performance optimization in figure skating.
• Training Programs (Trainingsprogramme) Structured training programs covering all four figure skating disciplines: Einzellaufen (singles), Paarlaufen (pairs), Eistanzen (ice dancing), and Synchroneiskunstlaufen (synchronized skating).

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• DOSB (Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman Olympic Sports Confederation - the umbrella organization for German sports. DEU is affiliated as the national figure skating federation, participating in Olympic programs and receiving organizational support.
• Bundesregierung - Staatsministerin für Sport und EhrenamtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Government Office for Sports and Voluntary Service - provides government support and recognition for elite sports programs through Digital Sport Ehrenamt Bild initiative.
• BundeswehrcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman Armed Forces - supports athletes through sports promotion programs, providing career integration for military personnel engaged in elite sports.
• IAT (Institut für Angewandte Trainingswissenschaften)coreTechnology or IntegrationInstitute for Applied Training Science in Leipzig - conducts research projects specifically for figure skating including MISSIE and dedicated figure skating research group led by Myriam Turgay-Leuenberger.
• Chique SportflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerTeam equipment supplier providing uniforms and apparel for the DEU Nationalteam. Sponsorship philosophy focuses on reinvesting funds into the sport rather than profit generation.
• Eissport-Verband Baden-Württemberg e.V.coreOthersState ice sports federation with 20 clubs - one of 13 state associations that form the membership structure of DEU.
• Bayerischer Eissport-Verband e.V.coreOthersBavarian ice sports federation with 64 clubs - largest state association affiliated with DEU.
• Eissport-Verband Nordrhein-Westfalen e.V.coreOthersState ice sports federation with 27 clubs, operating from Eissportzentrum Dortmund.
• Berliner Eissport-Verband e.V.coreOthersBerlin state ice sports federation with 8 clubs, managing multiple training locations.
• International Skating Union (ISU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal governing body for figure skating. DEU delegates representatives to ISU commissions including Kimminus and Larasser elected at the 60th ISU Congress.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• International Skating Union (ISU): The ISU is the global governing body for figure skating and speed skating and serves as the umbrella organization of which DEU is a member federation. It is comparable as a broader incumbent that sets the rules, sanctions events, and delegates authority to national federations including DEU.

Direct peers

• US Figure Skating: US Figure Skating is the national governing body for figure skating in the United States and a direct peer as it performs the same ISU-recognized federation role in its market, managing national teams, hosting US Championships, and organizing elite athlete development pathways analogous to DEU's Olympiakader system.
• Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI): FISI governs multiple winter sports in Italy including figure skating under ISU recognition. Comparable to DEU as a national winter sports federation running Italian Championships, managing national teams, and coordinating with the Italian Olympic Committee on elite athlete development.
• British Ice Skating: British Ice Skating is the ISU-recognized national federation for figure skating in the UK. It is a direct peer operating the same federation model with club memberships, national championships, and elite pathway programs as DEU, though at a smaller competitive scale.
• Japanese Skating Federation: The Japanese Skating Federation governs figure skating and speed skating in Japan and is one of the strongest ISU member federations globally. It is comparable to DEU as both operate high-performing national teams, host international events, and run competitive domestic championships with strong government backing.
• Fédération Française des Sports de Glisse: FFSG is the French national federation for ice sports including figure skating, speed skating, and ice dancing. It serves as a direct peer governing French figure skating under ISU recognition, operating French Championships and national team programs parallel to DEU.
• Russian Figure Skating Federation: The Russian Figure Skating Federation governs figure skating in Russia and is historically one of the strongest ISU members. It is directly comparable to DEU in operating national team programs, hosting major international events, and producing elite Olympic and World medalists.
• Skate Canada: Skate Canada is the ISU-recognized national federation governing figure skating in Canada. It is a direct peer to DEU as both organizations manage national teams, organize domestic championships, and run grassroots-to-elite athlete development with a club-based membership structure.
• Deutscher Eissport-Verband: As one of DEU's 13 member state associations (Berliner Eissport-Verband), this is a direct peer at the regional level performing the same federation coordination function for clubs in Berlin. Comparable to DEU because it is part of DEU's own hierarchical distribution structure rather than a competitor.

Regional players

• Norwegian Skating Association: The Norwegian Skating Association governs figure skating and speed skating in Norway. It is a regional peer operating under a similar Nordic federation model with national championships, though at a smaller scale than DEU given Norway's stronger orientation toward speed skating.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/eislaufunion
• Instagraminstagram.com/deutsche_eislauf_union
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deutsche-eislauf-union-deu-e.v.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 German Skating Union