Fan culture included on the Saxon state list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Free State of Saxony also proposes the cultural form for the National Register.
The fan culture and atmosphere at the Motorcycle Grand Prix of Germany are unrivalled – as proven by more than a quarter of a million visitors to the Sachsenring every summer. That passion for one of the biggest individual sporting events in Germany is now official: the “fan culture at the Sachsenring” has been added to the Saxon state list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This honours a cultural form, which has made its impression on the Sachsenring and the region for decades, and transcends the world of motorsport. Intangible cultural heritage covers vibrant forms of culture, passed on from generation to generation through knowledge, skills and traditions. These include rituals, festivals, traditional craftsmanship, forms of music and forms of expression.
Saxon State Minister for Culture and Tourism, Barbara Klepsch: “Intangible cultural heritage is deeply rooted in the regions of our Free State. It is brought to life by the commitment of the people there, who both preserve and develop traditions. The nominated cultural forms emphatically show how diverse, identity-defining and vibrant our regional culture is – from centuries-old craftsmanship to modern urban movements.”
In almost 100 years of racing history, a cross-generational, international and peaceful fan culture has developed around the Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Sachsenring. It stretches far beyond the sporting action and is renowned for living tradition, a great identification with the racetrack, and a particularly welcoming approach to guests from Germany and beyond. Its special meaning is also reflected in the visitor numbers for the Liqui Moly Motorcycle Grand Prix of Germany. The Sachsenring has recently set four crowd records in a row. A total of 256,441 spectators flocked to the iconic circuit for the 2025 MotoGP race weekend.
Following the successful inclusion on the Saxon state list, the Free State of Saxony has now also proposed the fan culture in the current selection process for the National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Conference of Ministers of Education and Culture in spring 2027 will decide what is included in the National Directory. Before then, an independent committee at the German UNESCO Commission will evaluate the proposals submitted.
The application to see the fan culture at the Sachsenring included in the state list was initiated in 2025 by Sachsenring Event GmbH, as the organiser of the Liqui Moly Motorcycle Grand Prix of Germany, and the tourism association Chemnitz Zwickau Region e. V..
