On January 1, 2025, the traditional New Year’s ski jumping event takes place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, forming part of the Four Hills Tournament which consists of four competitions held annually during the holiday season.
This year’s event is particularly notable as it signifies not just the festive nature of the competition, but also the transition of the broadcast rights from NOS to SBS6, marking a significant change after decades of television tradition.
Every New Year’s Day, Garmisch-Partenkirchen welcomes between 20,000 and 30,000 spectators, with millions managing to catch the action from their homes. According to reports, the 2025 event will kick off at 1:30 PM CEST and will last until 4:30 PM CEST, with the commentary provided by the well-known sports commentator Evert ten Napel.
Ten Napel’s involvement is welcomed by many fans, especially those dismayed by NOS’s decision not to broadcast the event this year for financial reasons. He shared his initial reaction, stating, "Когда SBS6 mij belde dacht ik eerst dat het een grap was (...) Ik moest er even over nadenken, maar ijdelheid heeft gewonnen van het verstand," highlighting his surprise and eventual decision to take on the role.
The New Year's ski jumping contest has deep roots, having first been organized by the Partenkirchen Ski Club on January 1, 1922. It became part of the larger narrative of winter sports when the IOC awarded the 1936 Winter Olympics to Germany, prompting the merging of the then separate villages of Garmisch and Partenkirchen at the behest of the Nazi regime.
Since its inception, the event has grown not only as one of the key competitions of the Four Hills Tournament but as part of the cultural fabric of New Year's celebrations across the region. With approximately six million viewers tuning in each year, it remains one of the most watched events on German television.
The Four Hills Tournament began to take shape following World War II when several ski clubs from Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Innsbruck recognized the need for unity. This led to the establishment of the German-Austrian Jump Tournee, which included its first event on January 1, 1953, at the Olympiaschanze in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and it remains the locus of this storied competition.
For residents of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, this event is not simply a sporting occasion; it is about tradition and the shared experience of watching ski jumpers soar through the air.
With the transition of broadcasters, the spirit of the event continues. Although SBS6 has taken over the broadcasting rights, Eurosport will also air the competition, ensuring those who support the tradition won’t miss out.
Whether at the jumping hill or gathered around screens, onlookers of all generations eagerly anticipate the flights of the ski jumpers and the excitement surrounding them each New Year’s Day. The event provides families with the opportunity to engage with each other, carrying forward the customs of the past.
Fans of skiing and sport can access the event on January 1, 2025, through SBS6 and Eurosport, reaffirming the significance of sport as not just leisure but as community bonding and celebration. One can only hope this deeply ingrained tradition continues to thrive for many more years as it approaches its centenary milestone.