Press Release 22nd May 2026

BILLA Grätzel Games 2026 bring ball sports directly into Vienna’s neighborhoods

From May 12 to June 14, 2026, the BILLA Grätzel Games in Vienna enter the next round. Across a total of eight neighborhood events in different Viennese districts, as well as a major final in the Stadtpark, the focus is on play, exercise, and the joy of ball sports. Children between the ages of 6 and 10 can participate free of charge and try out basketball, football, handball, and volleyball. In a stations-based format, children compete in categories separated by age and gender, collecting points as they go. The top three participants from each district qualify for the final on June 14, 2026.

A group of people standing on a red carpet in a shopping mall, with some holding sports equipment. A person in an animal costume is in the center holding a sign. Large yellow banners read "Für Alle Kids." Rocky decor is in the background.

Front row, from left to right: Alexander Poropatits (BILLA Sales Director), Wilfried Zankl (District Head, 12th District), Stefanie Lamp (District Head, 16th District), Sabine Didio (Head of Fundraising & Event Management, Volkshilfe Vienna), Mats Rudnicki (FIVERS), Thomas Menzl (Board Member, FIVERS), Yvonne Rychly (Member of the Vienna State Parliament), Dietmar Baurecht (District Head, 15th District), Lilli Gneisz (Managing Director, Volkshilfe Vienna), Roman Tullis (BILLA Partnership Management) and Daniel Hupfer (BILLA Grätzel Games Project Lead). Back row, from left to right: Julian Hameder (Moderator), Florian Saurwein (Deputy District Head, 16th District) and Florian Russmann (Head of Public Relations Staff Unit, City of Vienna). / Copyright: © BILLA AG/Robert Harson, Reproduction for PR purposes free of charge

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At a glance

From May 12 to June 14, 2026, the BILLA Grätzel Games will once again tour several Viennese districts, getting children moving.
Children aged 6 to 10 can take part free of charge and compete in basketball, football, handball and volleyball.
The best young talents from the neighborhoods qualify for the grand final on June 14, 2026, as part of the 3x3 basketball event at Heumarkt in the Trade Village.

Yvonne Rychly, Member of the Vienna State Parliament, highlights the importance of initiatives like the Grätzel Games: “These games are very important to us because they allow us to inspire young people to engage in exercise and sports again—low-threshold, free of charge, and directly in public spaces. Sport is not only key for health prevention but also strengthens social interaction: you learn to win and lose together. These experiences are essential for healthy development.”

Leo Lugner, Member of the Vienna State Parliament, emphasizes: “This event is particularly important for Lugner City. As a central meeting point in the 15th district—essentially the ‘main square’ of Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus—we bring young people together here to experience sports together. Events like these show how important physical activity is: sport promotes health, connects people, and creates positive experiences. That’s why we’re pleased to see so much life and activity here over the coming days.”

Dietmar Baurecht, District Head of the 15th district, adds: “Sport and physical activity are important for people of all ages, but especially for young people. It is crucial that they learn early on to stay active and develop a love for movement. The opportunities created here are truly excellent. In our district, we strive to provide a wide range of exercise options in our parks—from calisthenics facilities to table tennis tables—anything that inspires children and young people and motivates them to engage with sport and physical activity.”

Diverse supporting program

The BILLA Grätzel Games aim to bring ball sports directly into children’s everyday environment and reduce barriers to participation. In addition to the sporting competitions, children and their families can look forward to a varied supporting program with additional challenges, goodies, and exciting activities for all ages.

“The BILLA Grätzel Games show how well sport, play, and local community fit together. Children don’t have to travel elsewhere—they can participate directly in their neighborhood, discover new sports, and gain their first competition experience,” explains Roman Tullis, Partnership Manager at BILLA.

“It is important to us to inspire children to get active at an early age and to introduce them to sport in a simple and positive way. The BILLA Grätzel Games provide an ideal framework for this, as they take place directly in Vienna’s neighborhoods, are free of charge, and combine fun with sport in a meaningful way,” adds BILLA Sales Director Alexander Poropatits.

BILLA Grätzel Games 2026 dates:

May 12, 2026 – Konstanziagasse 50, 22nd district
May 13, 2026 – Paltaufgasse / U3 station Ottakring, 16th district
May 20, 2026 – Lugner City, 15th district
May 21, 2026 – Ringelseeplatz / Prießnitzgasse 16, 21st district
May 22, 2026 – Allerheiligenplatz, 20th district
May 27, 2026 – Schöpfwerkpark, 12th district
May 28, 2026 – Olympiapark, 19th district
May 29, 2026 – Venediger Au, 2nd district
June 14, 2026 – Final as part of the 3x3 basketball event at Heumarkt in the Trade Village