IPC Campus inaugurated among athletes and officials

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) officially inaugurated its new headquarters, the IPC Campus, in Bonn, Germany, on 24 June 2025 marking a major milestone for the organisation since its establishment in 1989. 

Among the 250 attending guests for the inauguration were Federal, State and City politicians, members of the IPC Governing Board, Para athletes, members of Team IPC and other distinguished guests. An official opening was conducted by IPC President Andrew Parsons, IPC CEO Dr Mike Peters PLY, Minister President of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia Hendrik Wüst, and Deputy Mayor of Bonn Nicole Unterseh.    

Located next to the river Rhine and adjacent to Bonn’s former parliamentary district and the UN Campus, the IPC Campus is one of the most accessible office spaces in Germany following extensive renovations led by the State Government of North-Rhine-Westphalia to the former State Representation building.  

The Campus includes a fully accessible 170-seat auditorium, 157 fully accessible workstations, six elevators, accessible bathrooms, and mini kitchens throughout the building on every floor, automatic doors for ease of access, and tactile paving – including throughout the garden - for those with a vision impairment. The building is also the first building in Germany to offer indoor navigation via a smartphone app, making the Campus even more accessible for employees and visitors. 

Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said: “The inauguration of the IPC Campus is a major landmark in the evolution and history of the IPC, and we are extremely grateful to the State Government of North-Rhine-Westphalia, Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community, and City of Bonn for making it happen. 

“The IPC has been proud to call Bonn our home since 1999, it is a city that has allowed us to grow as an organisation ensuring that our transformational work can have an even greater impact around the world.” 

Dr Mike Peters PLY, IPC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and two-time Paralympian, said: “Our fully accessible Campus marks the start of a new era for Team IPC and has had an immediate impact that is benefiting our 130-strong diverse and international workforce which heralds from nearly 50 countries. 

“Every detail of the IPC Campus, from the accessible workspaces to the inclusive design features, reflects our values and our commitment to a barrier-free world where all individuals can thrive. This Campus is not just our new home, it represents our vision to create a more inclusive world through sport and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built here.” 

Hendrik Wüst, Minister President of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, said: “The opening of the IPC Campus is a big moment for North Rhine-Westphalia as a sporting region. It shows our strong commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and sporting excellence. North Rhine-Westphalia is fully prepared to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in a sustainable and top-quality way. 

“We have invested around 42 million euros for the IPC Campus and enabled one of the most accessible office spaces in Germany. This modern, barrier-free environment helps drive progress, innovation, and the worldwide influence of the Paralympic movement beyond our state’s borders. The IPC's new home in Bonn also highlights how sport can create a more inclusive society.” 

Katja Dörner, Mayor of Bonn, said: “I am delighted that the IPC is inaugurating its new headquarters in Bonn today. This is the continuation of a long success story. The IPC has developed excellently in Bonn since 1999. I would be delighted if the IPC were one day as closely associated with the name Bonn as the IOC is with Lausanne.”  

New hub for the Paralympic Movement 

Even before its inauguration, the IPC Campus has become a hub for key events within the Paralympic Movement. These include October 2024’s Annual Classification Meeting, which was attended by nearly 150 classification experts, November 2024’s meeting of the IPC Athletes’ Council following the election of new members at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, and May 2025’s International Federation Open Days. 

The first day of the fourth IPC Athletes’ Forum also took place on 24 June 2025 to coincide with the inauguration. Hosted by the IPC, the Forum is bringing together over 70 athlete representatives from across the Paralympic Movement to address key issues, exchange experiences, and build lasting connections within the athlete community. 

The IPC’s move to Dahlmannstrasse from its previous headquarters on Adenauerallee was made possible through the joint support of the State Government of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community, and the City of Bonn.  

The IPC is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement and was founded on 22 September 1989 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Under the leadership of its founding President, Dr Bob Steadward, the organisation established its first headquarters in 1999 at Adenauerallee 212–214 - opposite Bonn’s Palais Schaumburg, the former official residence of the German Chancellor.

At that time, the IPC employed 10 full-time staff. Today, the organisation has grown to over 130 staff members from 47 countries, with 16 per cent identifying as persons with disabilities and over half of the team comprising of women.