Roundnet Germany cancels 2026 Mixed championship over heat risk

Roundnet Germany pulled the plug on the 2026 Mixed German Championship in Würzburg after forecast temperatures rose into the 35 to 39 degree range, saying the black-granulate artificial surface would make court conditions even hotter and put players and staff at risk.

The federation had scheduled the Mixed DM for June 27-28, with only 64 start places under its revised 2026 format. Alternate dates already conflicted with other commitments, and Roundnet Germany could not responsibly switch to evening-only play or a shortened format. Roundnet Germany discussed the situation with Roundnet Würzburg before making the call and wanted athletes to have certainty early enough to avoid travel and hotel costs for a tournament that could not be run safely. The federation will reimburse entry fees, cover the host club’s planning costs, and accept receipts from players with non-refundable travel or lodging expenses incurred after the deadline.

The Deutscher Fußball-Bund recommends postponing play above 35 degrees and stopping entirely at 40 degrees. FIFPRO says the human body’s normal core temperature sits around 36.1 to 37.8 degrees Celsius, that cooling breaks become mandatory in FIFA competition when Wet Bulb Globe Temperature exceeds 32 degrees, and that training or matches should be rescheduled above that threshold. Roundnet Germany argued its athletes face longer exposure than many field sports because rallies can run repeatedly on the same surface point after point.

The Mixed title was supposed to be one piece of a fuller 2026 championship calendar, but it will now be absent from the summer slate. Roundnet Germany’s championship structure has separated women’s, open and mixed competitions since 2024, and the Open and Women German Championship is still set for August 15-16 in Mannheim.