Deutsches Spielemuseum

About the museum

The idea for the museum came from the game collector J. Peter Lemcke, who founded the supporting association in Hamburg in 1986. The collection was first shown in Hamburg before the museum moved to Chemnitz. There it opened on 5 August 1995 in the solaris technology and business park, on the site of the former Fewa production plant – as the first newly built private museum in eastern Germany. For the EXPO 2000 world exhibition, the building was part of the external project “solaris 2000”.

At its core is the collection of historical games, with exhibition rooms and an archive. The permanent exhibition follows the classification of the game theorist Brian Sutton-Smith, who spoke at the opening, into games of chance, strategy games and games of skill. It is complemented by games from the Soviet Occupation Zone and the GDR as well as playing cards from Altenburg.

Particularly popular is the play room, where numerous classics, new releases and all winners of the critics' prize “Spiel des Jahres” can be tried out. The museum also hosts changing special and travelling exhibitions such as the educational games exhibition “SPIELEND lernen” (Learning through play), events such as “Chemnitz spielt!” and the monthly games night. In 2024, two marble runs were added at the museum as part of the Kugeltour.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition “Historische SPIELE” (Historical GAMES) by luck, strategy and skill
• Play room with freely available games and all “Spiel des Jahres” winners
• Games from the Soviet Occupation Zone and the GDR
• Games night “Nachts im SPIELEmuseum” (Night at the Games Museum) once a month
• Marble runs of the Kugeltour indoors and outdoors

Permanent exhibitions

• Historische SPIELE – A tour through the history of games, organised into games of chance, strategy and skill; plus games from the Soviet Occupation Zone and the GDR and Altenburg playing cards.
• Spieleraum – Classics and new releases sorted by publisher, free to play, with a dedicated shelf for all “Spiel des Jahres” winners.

Founded

1986

Operated by

Deutsches SPIELEmuseum e.V.

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Many games can be tried out in the play room; during school holidays there is a holiday programme, as well as family events such as “Chemnitz spielt!”. Children and young people have free admission.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located on a street running parallel to Neefestraße (B 173).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Small museum shop with games in the entrance area.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit