On Saturday, June 6, 2026, Völklingen invites you to a torch relay with a subsequent supporting program for young and old. With the event, the city of Völklingen and the Saarbrücken Regional Association are participating in the Special Olympics National Games Saarland 2026, which will take place in Saarland from June 15 to 20, 2026. The torch relay symbolizes the values of the Special Olympics and sets a visible sign for participation, respect, and solidarity.
Mayor Stephan Tautz emphasizes: "Völklingen is setting a sign for inclusion and community. Citizens are invited to participate in the torch relay – whether along the route to watch and cheer or as participants in the run itself."
The torch relay starts at 2:00 PM at Völklinger Platz at the Völklinger Hütte World Heritage Site. The route leads along Rathausstraße, past the train station, and through the Globus passage to Adolph-Kolping-Platz, where the runners are expected around 2:15 PM.
For the safe conduct of the torch relay, there will be temporary traffic restrictions and road closures along the route. Affected areas include Rathausstraße / traffic circle at Völklinger Platz, Rathausstraße / intersection at the main train station, Poststraße corner Rathausstraße, as well as the street Am Hauptbahnhof corner Rathausstraße. Road users are asked for their understanding and are requested to avoid the area during the torch relay if possible.
At Adolph-Kolping-Platz, visitors can expect a small supporting program for the whole family. Food and drinks are provided for physical well-being. Information and activity booths, demonstrations and music, face painting for children, as well as various games offer entertainment. A special highlight is the Fun-Sport-Mobile with wave and skateboards, inline skating, and a wheelchair obstacle course.
“With this day, we want to show that sports unite and that inclusion can be visibly lived in everyday life,” said Mayor Stephan Tautz. Immediately after the event, the Olympic flame will be brought to Saarbrücken.
Thanks go to the partners who actively support the experience: Lebenshilfe Völklingen, Saarstahl AG, Pastoraler Raum Völklingen, VdK Völklingen, Völklingen Fire Department, the police, as well as the clubs and organizations that have already confirmed their participation in the torch relay.
Völklingen is also a venue for a sport during the Special Olympics. The competitions in the discipline of roller skating will be held in the Hermann-Neuberger-Halle from June 15 to 19, 2026. In the lead-up to the Games, Völklingen looks forward to welcoming a delegation from Kosovo as part of the so-called "Host Town Program." "We want to present our city and our country as good hosts and give these young people a good time."
Information on participation as well as further information about the competitions in roller skating can be found on the website of the city of Völklingen at www.voelklingen.de/kultur-sport-freizeit/special-olympics-nationale-spiele-saarland-2026.
Further information about the Special Olympics National Games Saarland 2026 is available at www.saarland2026.de.
Program schedule
Saturday, June 6, 2026
1:30 PM Meeting point Völklinger Platz at the Völklingen Ironworks World Heritage Site
2:00 PM Start of the torch relay
2:15 PM Reception of the torchbearers at Adolph Kolping Square
then a colorful supporting program until around 4:00 pm
