For many expats and immigrants living in Germany — particularly in eastern states like Saxony — the presence of far-right groups is not an abstract political concern but a lived reality. Chemnitz, a city in Saxony, has become something of a flashpoint in recent years, known internationally after far-right riots in 2018. Against this backdrop, a local martial arts gym is attempting something unusual: using mixed martial arts (MMA) as an active tool against radicalization, building a training community that is explicitly diverse and welcoming to people from all backgrounds.
Across Europe, researchers and security agencies have documented a growing trend of far-right extremist groups using combat sports clubs — particularly MMA gyms — as recruiting grounds. The appeal is straightforward: the environment emphasizes physical toughness, in-group loyalty, and a masculine identity that extremist movements exploit. In Germany, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Verfassungsschutz) has flagged this trend in multiple annual reports.
For expats and people of color living in Germany, this trend has a direct implication: some sports spaces that might otherwise be natural community-building environments carry a risk of hostility or exclusion. Knowing which gyms and clubs are explicitly inclusive is practical information, not just political commentary.
The gym featured in DW's reporting is deliberately structured around inclusion. Its program brings together people from different ethnic, national, and social backgrounds under a shared framework of mutual respect and discipline. Trainers and organizers are conscious of the political context and actively work to create a space where minorities, immigrants, and marginalized youth feel safe.
This model matters beyond Chemnitz. It demonstrates that community sports infrastructure can serve as a genuine integration tool — one that does not rely on formal bureaucracy, language proficiency, or legal status. Showing up and training together is itself a form of connection that transcends many typical integration barriers.
If you live in or are considering moving to eastern Germany — including cities like Dresden, Leipzig, Erfurt, or Chemnitz — it is worth being aware of the social landscape. Far-right political parties have strong electoral results in several eastern states, and incidents of racially motivated harassment, while not the norm, occur at higher rates than in some western cities.
This does not mean eastern Germany should be avoided. Many expats live there comfortably and find affordable housing, a lower cost of living, and genuine community. But arriving informed is always better. Seeking out inclusive spaces — gyms, community centers, cultural associations — is a concrete step toward building a support network.
Generally, yes — but the experience varies by city, neighborhood, and individual circumstances. Major cities like Leipzig and Dresden have diverse international communities and active civil society organizations. Smaller towns can feel more insular. Connecting with local expat groups, immigrant support organizations, and explicitly inclusive community spaces (like the gym described here) is the most practical approach to building safety and belonging.
Organizations like the Bundesverband der Migrantinnen und Migranten in Deutschland, local Ausländerbeiräte (foreigners' advisory councils), and city-run integration offices can point you toward community resources. Many cities also have Willkommensinitiativen (welcome initiatives) that connect newcomers with local clubs and activities.
The Chemnitz gym story is a reminder that integration in Germany is not only a matter of paperwork and language. Physical community spaces play a real role in how safe and connected people feel. If you are living in eastern Germany, exploring your local community organizations — sports clubs, cultural centers, volunteer groups — is one of the most effective ways to build a genuine support network.
If you ever experience harassment or discrimination, you can report it to the Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes (Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency) at www.antidiskriminierungsstelle.de, or seek support from local counseling centers for victims of racism.
Source: DW English
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