EVwire brief: Tesla has opened a new on-site recreational area called Giga Arena at its Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg, featuring two multi-purpose outdoor courts built by employees.
The courts, designed for basketball and football, are located adjacent to the factory’s main production areas and are available to staff during breaks and after shifts. The launch was announced via Tesla’s Manufacturing account on X.
The facility was also promoted by Giga Berlin plant manager André Thierig, who highlighted that Tesla employees have fun at work.
Context:
Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg, located in Grünheide, is Tesla’s primary European production site and manufactures the Model Y for the region. The facility began production in 2022 and currently employs more than 11,000 workers.
Tesla is preparing to increase Model Y output by 20% starting in July, a ramp that will require hiring around 1,000 additional employees and converting 500 temporary workers to permanent roles.
The Giga Arena was built internally by employees and sits within the factory complex, near parking and production buildings. Tesla said the courts are open to all staff and are intended for use outside of working hours or during breaks.
“Built from team feedback - now ready for shift breaks, after-work games, and everything in between. Two courts. Football and basketball. Open daily for everyone at Giga Berlin.”
Giga Berlin recently celebrated the production of its 1 millionth drive unit
Tesla has been increasing its local engagement around Giga Berlin. The company has supported nearby sports organizations, including youth teams and the local handball club Grünheider SV, which recently received new team kits featuring Tesla branding.
This is very rare for Tesla to do, but this bodes well for the company’s future relations with the community around Giga Berlin.
Giga Berlin’s future ramp
André Thierig said the new space adds to what makes the site “cool and special,” while also encouraging potential applicants to join as the factory expands hiring.
Giga Berlin is expected to be increasingly busy, thanks to the rebound in Model Y sales in the region. Tesla sales rose almost 45% across Europe in Q1 2026, with countries like Denmark seeing a 102% increase in April and France showing a 112% increase.
CEO Elon Musk has previously mentioned that Giga Berlin will likely produce other high-volume Tesla products in the future.
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab.”
Elon Musk later added that there are also “possibilities of Tesla Optimus” being produced at Gigafactory Berlin. Both the Cybercab and Optimus are expected to be high-volume products that will far outnumber the Model Y.
Source: Tesla Manufacturing and André Thierig on X, Reuters
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