Welcome to the 2025 IOC IAKS Architecture Prize

IOC IAKS Architecture Prize for sustainable, accessible and innovative sports and leisure facilities

The International Olympic Committee (IOC)  and the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) are inviting submissions for the 2025 IOC IAKS Architecture Prizes for sustainable, accessible and innovative sports and leisure facilities.

Both organizations are committed to advocating for excellence in the visioning, design and operation of sustainable, universally accessible and innovative indoor and outdoor facilities.

Identifying and promoting trends for transforming communities and urban areas into places of active living as well as building sustainable facilities is at the core of this international competition.

The competition brings to public attention buildings and complexes that integrate

  • sensible sustainability and public value,
  • exemplary accessibility and universal design,
  • strong functional planning and innovation,
  • exceptional architectural design.

This competition is organized by the IOC and the IAKS. The IAKS is responsible for its organization and staging.

Community outdoor grounds and public areas

Outdoor grounds, public areas, school and educational facilities for sport, leisure, recreation and touristic uses, e.g. for ball games, athletics, skating/boarding, urban trend sports - with small or no spectator facilities.
€ 400.00
Early bird until 31 March 2025 € 280.00
Available until

Community outdoor grounds and public areas

The jury shall adjudicate all submissions independently of their size and budget on the basis of the following principal criteria:

Architectural and technical aspects:

  • Integration in the urban environment or into the landscape
  • Design concept and its quality
  • Programming and functional planning, technical features
  • Innovation and imagination

Sustainability aspects and public value:

  • Legacy concept
  • Ecological sustainability (significant innovations, environmental design)
  • Economical sustainability (operational / management concept)
  • Social / community aspects (socially meaningful legacy for all members of a community)
  • Support of health, well-being and active living

Accessibility aspects:

  • Accessibility and universal design / inclusive features for the widest possible range of users

In its adjudication, the jury will take the differing economic and social conditions at the various locations into consideration.

Major outdoor stadiums

Outdoor stadiums for competitions and events, e.g. for ball games, athletics and other uses - with large spectator facilities.
€ 400.00
Early bird until 31 March 2025 € 280.00
Available until

Major outdoor stadiums

The jury shall adjudicate all submissions independently of their size and budget on the basis of the following principal criteria:

Architectural and technical aspects:

  • Integration in the urban environment or into the landscape
  • Design concept and its quality
  • Programming and functional planning, technical features
  • Innovation and imagination

Sustainability aspects and public value:

  • Legacy concept
  • Ecological sustainability (significant innovations, environmental design)
  • Economical sustainability (operational / management concept)
  • Social / community aspects (socially meaningful legacy for all members of a community)
  • Support of health, well-being and active living

Accessibility aspects:

  • Accessibility and universal design / inclusive features for the widest possible range of users

In its adjudication, the jury will take the differing economic and social conditions at the various locations into consideration.

Indoor facilities for sports, leisure and recreation

Indoor facilities consisting of several building components or as well of only a single building component for competition, training, trend sports, leisure, recreation and touristic uses - with small or no spectator facilities.
€ 400.00
Early bird until 31 March 2025 € 280.00
Available until

Indoor facilities for sports, leisure and recreation

The jury shall adjudicate all submissions independently of their size and budget on the basis of the following principal criteria:

Architectural and technical aspects:

  • Integration in the urban environment or into the landscape
  • Design concept and its quality
  • Programming and functional planning, technical features
  • Innovation and imagination

Sustainability aspects and public value:

  • Legacy concept
  • Ecological sustainability (significant innovations, environmental design)
  • Economical sustainability (operational / management concept)
  • Social / community aspects (socially meaningful legacy for all members of a community)
  • Support of health, well-being and active living

Accessibility aspects:

  • Accessibility and universal design / inclusive features for the widest possible range of users

In its adjudication, the jury will take the differing economic and social conditions at the various locations into consideration.

Multipurpose halls and major arenas

Multipurpose halls and major arenas for competitions and events, e.g. for indoor sports and other uses - with large spectator facilities.
€ 400.00
Early bird until 31 March 2025 € 280.00
Available until

Multipurpose halls and major arenas

The jury shall adjudicate all submissions independently of their size and budget on the basis of the following principal criteria:

Architectural and technical aspects:

  • Integration in the urban environment or into the landscape
  • Design concept and its quality
  • Programming and functional planning, technical features
  • Innovation and imagination

Sustainability aspects and public value:

  • Legacy concept
  • Ecological sustainability (significant innovations, environmental design)
  • Economical sustainability (operational / management concept)
  • Social / community aspects (socially meaningful legacy for all members of a community)
  • Support of health, well-being and active living

Accessibility aspects:

  • Accessibility and universal design / inclusive features for the widest possible range of users

In its adjudication, the jury will take the differing economic and social conditions at the various locations into consideration.

Pools, spas and wellness facilities

Aquatic facilities, indoor and outdoor pools, spas and thermal pools, wellness and health facilities, for sports, leisure, recreational and touristic uses.
€ 400.00
Early bird until 31 March 2025 € 280.00
Available until

Pools, spas and wellness facilities

The jury shall adjudicate all submissions independently of their size and budget on the basis of the following principal criteria:

Architectural and technical aspects:

  • Integration in the urban environment or into the landscape
  • Design concept and its quality
  • Programming and functional planning, technical features
  • Innovation and imagination

Sustainability aspects and public value:

  • Legacy concept
  • Ecological sustainability (significant innovations, environmental design)
  • Economical sustainability (operational / management concept)
  • Social / community aspects (socially meaningful legacy for all members of a community)
  • Support of health, well-being and active living

Accessibility aspects:

  • Accessibility and universal design / inclusive features for the widest possible range of users

In its adjudication, the jury will take the differing economic and social conditions at the various locations into consideration.

Specialised facilities for sports, leisure and recreation

Indoor and outdoor facilities for special sports, leisure and recreational activities, e.g. for Alpine and Nordic skiing, motor racing, mountain biking, canoeing, rowing, sailing, golf, equestrianism and shooting as well as beach sports, free climbing etc.
€ 400.00
Early bird until 31 March 2025 € 280.00
Available until

Specialised facilities for sports, leisure and recreation

The jury shall adjudicate all submissions independently of their size and budget on the basis of the following principal criteria:

Architectural and technical aspects:

  • Integration in the urban environment or into the landscape
  • Design concept and its quality
  • Programming and functional planning, technical features
  • Innovation and imagination

Sustainability aspects and public value:

  • Legacy concept
  • Ecological sustainability (significant innovations, environmental design)
  • Economical sustainability (operational / management concept)
  • Social / community aspects (socially meaningful legacy for all members of a community)
  • Support of health, well-being and active living

Accessibility aspects:

  • Accessibility and universal design / inclusive features for the widest possible range of users

In its adjudication, the jury will take the differing economic and social conditions at the various locations into consideration.

IOC IAKS Architecture and Design Award for Students and Young Professionals

Eligible to enter the competition is any kind of design work that focuses on the creation of spaces and areas to be used for sports and leisure activities in the broadest sense. The design strategy must encourage youth to practise sport. By bringing sports activities to young people, e.g. in their urban environments, the project should aim at creating a high sports legacy.

IOC IAKS Architecture and Design Award for Students and Young Professionals

The jury shall adjudicate on the basis of the following principal criteria:

  • Imagination and innovation
  • Design concept and its quality
  • Integration in the urban environment or into the landscape in terms of aesthetics and easy access
  • Sustainability principles in terms of environmental, social and economic impact
  • Adaptation to the consequences of climate change
  • Social/community aspects (socially meaningful legacy for all members of a community)
  • Promotion of physical activities for everyone without exemption, support of health, well-being and active living
  • Accessibility and universal design / inclusive features for the widest possible range of users
  • The dimension of accessibility must be distinctly, visibly and consistently presented in the brief and in the design