Joint venture planned between Ringier Sports Media Group and kicker ventures

 Olympia-Verlag, publisher of kicker, the German sports media brand with the widest reach, and its investment subsidiary kicker ventures are joining forces with Ringier Sports Media Group AG. Under the leadership of Markus Krienbühl, a recognized expert in the Swiss media and sports industry, the new joint venture will play a key role in shaping the country's digital sports offering. The operational launch is planned for fall 2025. The transaction is still subject to the approval of the relevant antitrust authorities.

RSMG Chairman of the Board of Directors Robin Lingg emphasizes the combination of digital innovation and sports journalistic expertise. "With kicker and sport.ch, we are bundling strengths and focusing on sustainable growth," emphasizes Lingg. Bärbel Schnell, Managing Director of Olympia-Verlag, also sees great opportunities. Switzerland is a strategic market for kicker: the cooperation with Ringier will enable the company to expand its offering in this region and offer Swiss sports fans attractive content.

Continuity will be maintained in terms of marketing: Ringier Advertising, already a partner of kicker.ch and sport.ch, will also be responsible for the commercial management of the new service.

kicker has stood for in-depth sports reporting since 1920 and reaches more than 17 million people interested in sports every month via various channels. kicker ventures makes targeted investments in innovative business models in sports, media and technology in the DACH region. Olympia-Verlag - founded in 1946 - combines the kicker and Alpin brands, promotes digital innovations through strategic investments and opens up new sports such as handball and American football with kicker sportsworld. The portfolio also includes shares in EarlyGame, Tickaroo and thinking apps.

Ringier Sports Media Group (RSMG) has stood for European growth ambitions since 2022: With a total of seven brands in seven countries and platforms such as Sportal.365 as well as a partnership with LiveScoreGroup, the company reaches more than 20 million fans every month and is continuously focusing on expansion and technological development.

sport.ch, the Swiss sports platform in the digital network, provides up-to-date news and live coverage of numerous sports and was acquired by RSMG at the beginning of 2025. In this joint venture, kicker, RSMG and sport.ch are thus creating the basis for a new, digital sports ecosystem in Switzerland - and setting a new industry benchmark.