Lea Wagner from ARD announces pregnancy with her first child and highlights a special year with important sporting events By Maria
6 min read
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ARD reporter and moderator Lea Wagner announced that she is expecting her first child at the end of the summer. The 31-year-old professional is part of the Sportschau team and has recently participated in football broadcasts and skiing competitions. Ela described the current period as very special because it brings together several sporting highlights and family additions. The journalist indicated that the birth will take place after Copa of Mundo of 2026 in Estados Unidos, México and Canadá, which takes place between June 11th and July 19th. Lea Wagner stated that he is happy with the growth of his family and that he values the possibility of reconciling his profession with his personal life. ARD confirmed that it will offer the necessary support for her to maintain her activities as long as she feels well. The moderator has already worked on events such as Jogos Olímpicos of Tóquio and ski jumping broadcasts. The sports coordinator at broadcaster Axel Balkausky reinforced that the team plans substitutions at the appropriate time.
The professional got married in December last year and prefers to keep private details private. Her father is football coach David Wagner, who played for clubs such as Schalke 04 and Huddersfield Town. Lea Wagner grew up in different German cities due to his father’s professional commitments.
- The journalist began her career at SWR in 2018 with regional sports programs.
- She took over the fixed moderation of ski jumping at ARD in 2021.
- Since 2023, Lea Wagner presents Sportschau on Saturdays.
- The broadcaster extended her contract for another four years in February 2025.
Lea Wagner was born on August 15, 1994 in Wiesbaden and completed her studies in Her trajectory includes stints at vehicles such as Sky and ARD Sportschau itself, still in its formative phase.
Expectation for the first child at the end of summer
Lea Wagner is awaiting birth at the end of summer. The date coincides with the period after Copa of Mundo of 2026. The moderator plans to maintain the pace of work until then as her health condition allows.
ARD has already defined that the journalist will receive all possible support during pregnancy. The sports team will discuss replacements in the broadcaster’s sports chiefs round.
Professional plans up to Copa of Mundo
The journalist remains scheduled for the broadcasts of Copa of Mundo, which takes place in three countries. The tournament starts in June and ends in July 2026. Lea Wagner integrated coverage from previous editions such as Catar in 2022 and Eurocopa in 2024.
She is also confirmed for Jogos Olímpicos of Inverno in Milão and Cortina in the same year. The moderator has already covered the Jogos of Tóquio in 2021 and several stages of the Vierschanzentournee. Coordinator Axel Balkausky stated that she will continue to be available as long as she feels comfortable.
ARD has several professionals who demonstrate the compatibility between the role and the family. Lea Wagner expressed satisfaction with the station’s internal environment.
Support offered by the broadcaster to pregnant women
ARD management guaranteed full support to the moderator. Coordinator Axel Balkausky stated that the team will provide everything Lea Wagner needs. The professional can work until the summer if she feels well.
The broadcaster will only assess replacement needs when appropriate. Lea Wagner has already demonstrated the ability to perform at large events even with an intense schedule. Accumulated experience facilitates the temporary transition.
Trajectory on Sportschau and in national broadcasts
Lea Wagner took over the presentation of Sportschau on Saturdays in June 2023. Ela succeeded Jessy Wellmer in the post and shares the bench with other colleagues. The moderator summarizes Bundesliga games and other sports.
Before that, she already participated in Sportschau in reports and live coverage. In 2021 Lea Wagner became the fixed moderator of ARD ski jumping by replacing Matthias Opdenhövel. Ela commands the transmissions alongside specialist Sven Hannawald.
The journalist covered Copa for the 2023 women’s Mundo on Austrália. Ela accompanied the German team in important games. Lea Wagner was also present at the 2024 men’s Eurocopa on German territory.
Training and first steps in sports journalism
Lea Wagner studied crossmedia writing at Hochschule der Medien in Stuttgart between 2013 and 2016. Durante the training she interned at vehicles such as BVB total, Stuggi.TV, Sky Deutschland and at ARD itself Sportschau.
Since June 2018, she has worked in the sports newsroom at SWR Fernsehen. Lá regularly moderates the SWR Sport in Baden-Württemberg and in Rheinland-Pfalz. The professional also presents the SWR Sport Fußball and the Sport Extra.
Lea Wagner served as a reporter on the program Live nach neun between 2018 and 2023. The moderator still runs the heimspiel! on hr-fernsehen since 2021.
Family life and influence of the coaching father
Lea Wagner is the daughter of coach David Wagner, who managed teams such as Schalke 04, Huddersfield Town, Young Boys and The family moved cities several times during her childhood. Ela lived in Mainz, Gelsenkirchen, Gütersloh and Lützelsachsen.
The moderator has a sister named Lynn. Father David Wagner maintains a close friendship with Jürgen Klopp, who was best man at his wedding. Lea Wagner keeps private life protected and asks for public understanding on the topic.
She got married in December 2025 in a discreet ceremony. The partner’s name has not been publicly disclosed. The journalist reinforced that she prefers to separate the personal sphere from professional exposure.
Future commitments and coverage of major events
Lea Wagner is scheduled to continue broadcasting ski jumping. Ela has already led stages of Vierschanzentournee including the jump from Ano Novo in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the race in Innsbruck. The moderator showed emotion when narrating the achievements of German athletes.
The Copa of the Mundo of 2026 represents one of the biggest challenges of the season. The tournament brings together 48 teams and takes place in stadiums in three different countries. Lea Wagner will contribute summaries and reports until the moment the license begins.
The professional also participates in entertainment programs such as Frag mich was Leichteres! since 2024. Ela presented Das große Menschenraten at SWR in 2023.
Details about the regional career at SWR
Lea Wagner started at SWR Sport Fußball in 2018. The program shows summaries and analyzes of games in the region. Ela also moderates the SWR Sport Extra with varied content.
Since February 2020, the journalist has presented the SWR Sport in Rheinland-Pfalz. The previous format was called Flutlicht. Em Baden-Württemberg she has commanded the equivalent since 2019.
These years in the SWR served as the basis for the rise to the national ARD. The moderator learned how to deal with live broadcasts and tight deadlines. The regional experience helped in adapting to large international stages.
Lea Wagner values learning from more experienced colleagues. Ela mentioned in previous interviews the importance of constantly observing and evolving. The professional has more than 120 thousand followers on Instagram where she shares moments of work.
Repercussion of the announcement among colleagues and fans
The announcement generated demonstrations of support within the ARD. Colegas highlighted the naturalness with which the broadcaster handles similar cases. Lea Wagner has already observed other professionals who combine career and motherhood.
The moderator expressed gratitude for the supportive environment. Ela plans to return after the leave period. ARD confirmed that the discussion on replacement will take place in due course.
The news also had repercussions on specialized sports outlets. The focus remains on continuing her work through the summer. Lea Wagner continues to climb the main events of the first semester.
