World Transplant Games

Thank You Dresden – A Week We Will Never Forget

The 25th World Transplant Games came to a festive close in Dresden – and many athletes and guests are already calling them the “best Games ever.” After seven days full of sports, emotions, and moving stories, the city of Dresden bid farewell to 2,500 participants, families, and supporters from 51 nations.

Largest single distribution campaign of donor cards in Germany

Up to 120,000 organ donor cards will be distributed to households in the Dresden administrative district, the circulation area of the Sächsische Zeitung, over the coming weeks. Today, SZ circulated 100,000 copies. Another 20,000 will follow in the coming weeks. This made the World Transplant Games in Dresden, together with their partners, the largest single distribution campaign in Germany to date.

Website Update: New Event Information and Official Programme Guide Now Available

We’re excited to share that the WTG2025 website has just been updated with fresh details for many of this year’s highlight events – from the colorful Parade of Nations on 17 August, to the action-packed Darts Night with Max Hopp and Gabriel Clemens, and the spectacular Gala Dinner to close the Games.

WTG2025 Livestream & Daily Video Highlights

Experience the World Transplant Games 2025 from anywhere!

Germany reaches milestone: 100,000th kidney transplant performed

In July 2025, Germany marked a historic milestone with the 100,000th kidney transplant since the country’s first such procedure in 1963. This achievement, announced by the German Organ Transplantation Foundation (DSO), symbolizes not only six decades of medical progress but also 100,000 new chances at life for patients with severe kidney disease.

Participant information: Delay of gala dinner ticket purchase

Gala dinner ticket purchase unfortunately delays by about 2 days.

Once ready – each LITE package participant will receive an individualized link via mass emailing.

Please note – tickets costs 99 EUR per ticket. They are non-refundable and cannot be canceled once booked.

Depending on interest of LITE package participants – left over tickets might be open for purchase to public a few days before Gala dinner.

Elke Büdenbender reaffirms her support as patron of the World Transplant Games 2025

The World Transplant Games 2025 in Dresden will be held under the esteemed patronage of Elke Büdenbender, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Germany—a fact we proudly shared earlier. Today, we’re excited to revisit and spotlight this meaningful patronage, which remains one of the most heartfelt endorsements of our mission to promote organ donation and celebrate transplant recipients worldwide.

Save the date: IPSOT-Symposium

We are pleased to invite you to the IPSOT Symposium 2025, hosted by TransDia Sport Deutschland e.V., taking place from 22–23 August 2025 at the International Congress Center Dresden (ICD).

Explore the WTG2025 cycling route

We are excited to announce that the cycling competitions and the sprint triathlon at the World Transplant Games 2025 will take place in a truly beautiful and dynamic setting: the Brettmühlenteich in Thiendorf, located just northeast of Dresden. This scenic venue is no stranger to endurance sports — it serves as the official course for the local triathlon club, which hosts its annual race at this very location.

Successful Test Run for the World Transplant Games 2025

From 1 to 4 May, around 200 athletes from across Germany took part in the 44th German Championships for Transplanted and Dialysis Patients in Dresden. These national championships also served as a crucial test event for the World Transplant Games 2025 (WTG), which will take place from 17 to 24 August 2025 in the Saxon capital.

From the edge of life to the heart of the games: Erika Kaiser’s story of hope, healing, and heroism

When Erika Kaiser takes the starting line in Dresden at the World Transplant Games 2025, she’ll be racing with more than just determination—she’ll be racing with the heart of a survivor and the soul of a storyteller.

Roland Kaiser becomes ambassador for the World Transplant Games 2025 in Dresden

Dresden, April 7 – The summer of 2025 in Dresden will be a celebration of second chances at life. From August 17 to 24, the World Transplant Games (WTG) will take place in the capital of Saxony—marking the first time the event comes to Germany. Up to 2,500 athletes from as many as 60 countries are expected to travel to Dresden. What unites them all: they share a personal transplant story and prove that life after organ donation and transplantation can be active and full of sport.

TX teddy joins the DGCH organ donation run

The DGCH Organ Donation Run is an annual initiative by the German Society of Surgery (DGCH), held as part of the DCK Congress, which took place this year from March 26 to 28, 2025. Yesterday, on March 27, the in-person run brought together participants dedicated to raising awareness about organ donation and transplantation.

South Africa represented on the global stage

More than 2,000 athletes from over 50 countries, all recipients of life-saving organ transplants, living donors and donor family members, will come together to celebrate the power of sport and organ donation. Among them is Jeandre Geldenhuys, an experienced swimmer from South Africa, who will compete in five swimming events.

Venue sports managers meet in Dresden to prepare for WTG2025

Yesterday evening, the venue sports managers of the 17 sports at the World Transplant Games 2025 gathered at the Brauhaus am Waldschlösschen in Dresden for an important exchange on the upcoming games. The meeting focused on key aspects of sports organization, including finalizing venue setup and equipment planning, as the games approach their official start on August 17, 2025.

Meet Stephen Yu from Team Canada

The Games not only offer elite-level competition but also promote awareness of the life-changing impact of organ donation. Among the many international teams, Team Canada will be strongly represented, with athletes competing in a range of disciplines, showcasing their determination and the possibilities that organ transplantation can offer.

Team Belgium is part of the World Transplant Games

From August 17 to 24, 2025, the World Transplant Games will be held in Germany for the first time. The host city, Dresden, will welcome transplant athletes from around the world, celebrating the power of sport and the life-changing impact of organ donation. Among them is Seppe Valy from Belgium. The 23-year-old maintenance technician will compete in cycling, team/individual time trial, and road race, using this event to raise awareness for organ donation and inspire others with his story.