2025 Annual Report of Karlsruher Bäder

(eap) The German Karlsruher Bäder (Karlsruhe bathing operations) presented their 2025 annual report yesterday. Despite all challenges, the figures point to stable development, with a total of around 1.48 million visitors in 2025. With ten bathing facilities, Karlsruhe has an exceptionally extensive and diverse pool landscape compared with other cities.

With over 512,000 guests annually, Europabad Karlsruhe remains the region’s most visited bathing facility. Fächerbad Karlsruhe also continues to be a central component of the Karlsruhe pool landscape, with over 321,000 visitors, although it was affected by construction work and reduced opening days. Overall, the Karlsruhe bathing operations saw slight declines in visitor numbers, which were said to be attributable in particular to weather-related effects in the outdoor pools. Visitor numbers in the outdoor pools were below the previous year’s level (-6.76 percent), while the indoor pools continued to develop steadily (+1.8 percent).

Mayor Yvette Melchien and Oliver Sternagel, Head of Department and Managing Director of the Karlsruhe bathing operations, presented the 2025 annual report of the Karlsruhe leisure pool facilities at the Europabad on Wednesday 29 April 2026. © Karlsruher Bäder

Despite the slightly declining visitor numbers, the Karlsruhe pool complexes were able to improve their economic situation in 2025. Europabad in particular recorded a significant increase in revenue to around 9.92 million euros (2024: 8.99 million euros) and achieved a positive operating result. Fächerbad was also able to significantly improve its result and reduce its operating loss. The sauna area had continued to develop positively and represented an important source of revenue. The operating subsidy requirement of the city of Karlsruhe for the bathing operations was reduced by a total of around 1.34 million euros in 2025.

At the same time, the Karlsruhe pool operations continue to face considerable challenges. In addition to rising energy, operating and personnel costs, the strained budget situation of the City of Karlsruhe in particular is having an impact on operations. Against this background, price adjustments are said to be unavoidable under the current framework conditions. However, the aim remains to continue to keep prices socially acceptable while at the same time ensuring the quality and safety of the offering.

To secure long-term competitiveness and reduce operating costs, the Karlsruhe bathing operations are continuously investing in their infrastructure. At Fächerbad, the focus is on measures such as roof renovation, the expansion of photovoltaics and further energy-related modernisations. For 2026, the Karlsruhe pools expect requirements to continue to rise, particularly in the areas of personnel and cost trends. At the same time, the investments made are expected to contribute to the long-term stabilisation and further development of the pool landscape. ■