The Fédération Equestre International (FEI) announced the decision at their Annual General Meeting in Mexico City: The joint application from the German Equestrian Federation (FN) and the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein (ALRV) to stage the disciplines Show Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Vaulting and Para Dressage was successful. As such, during the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026 from August 11th-23rd, the battle for gold, silver and bronze will be on at the Aachen Soers again.

Emotional. Top-class. Unparalleled. The 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen are considered to be the best championships in the history of the equestrian sport through to this very day. A major event that remains etched in the memories of many and which inspired millions of spectators worldwide for the equestrian sport. And now it has been confirmed: In 2026, exactly 20 years later, a further exceptional chapter of this success story will be written – namely the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026 in the disciplines Show Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Vaulting and Para Dressage.

WELCOME HOME!

“We are delighted at the trust that is being placed in us,” stated Stefanie Peters, President of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein (ALRV), who is already looking forward to the major event with euphoria.“ The ALRV has been living and promoting the equestrian sport for more than 100 years. And we are convinced that thanks to our long-standing experience we will also be able to organise these championships successfully and thus make a significant contribution towards supporting and promoting global equestrian sport.” Because one thing is certain: Aachen has a magical attraction – for both the athletes and the spectators. In this way, the CHIO Aachen, the World Equestrian Festival, has long since been Germany’s biggest sports event and is considered to be the most famous equestrian show in the world. Furthermore, over the course of the decades after staging several successful championships, the ALRV has established itself as the leading global organiser of equestrian sport events. The Aachen Soers not only demonstrated its expertise in hosting events during the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games, but also during the 2015 European Championships and the Youth Equestrian Games 2022.

Now a further major event is to be added to the list, much to the joy of the Prime Minister of North Rhine Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst. “North Rhine-Westphalia is the number one state for sports, so it is very fitting that a horse is depicted on our state’s coat of arms. Because the people from North Rhine-Westphalia love and celebrate the equestrian sport. First and foremost at the CHIO Aachen, the World Equestrian Festival. We are very proud of this. Now we have a further particularly special reason to be proud,” the Prime Minister of NRW explained.

The German Federal Chancellor, Olaf Scholz is also delighted that such an international top event is being staged in Germany: “Major sporting events connect people all over the globe. It is an honour for our country to be able to welcome the world of the equestrian sport in Aachen once again – in its capacity as a hospitable and cosmopolitan host of the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026.”

Six disciplines at one venue

“Thanks to our experienced organisation team and the unique atmosphere in Aachen, we offer the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026 the ideal prerequisites for staging an unforgettable event,” stated ALRV Board Member, Birgit Rosenberg, who is simultaneously Sports Director of the annually staged CHIO Aachen. “A great deal of work lies ahead of us,” continued Rosenberg. “Work that our team will tackle together over the coming months, highly-motivated and with great passion.” In the temporal context of the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026, necessary investments in the general further development and future alignment of the equestrian sport in Aachen are planned, including the construction of a new indoor riding arena and a further stadium. “We want to sustainably integrate Para Sport and Youth Sport into the World Equestrian Festival and establish and further develop the CHIO Aachen long-term as the flagship of the entire equestrian sport worldwide and as Germany’s biggest sports event. The CHIO Aachen will set standards for future major sporting events. The focus here particularly lies on the areas para sport, top sport, youth, equal payment and sustainability,” explained Michael Mronz, General Manager of the Aachener Reitturnier GmbH (ART).

The Aachen-based organisers are receiving back-up with a view to the year 2026 from the German Equestrian Federation (FN): “The FN will diligently support the planning and execution of the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026 with their personnel and for sport-related and advertising issues, promised Hans-Joachim Erbel, President of the FN.

Hence, Aachen is ready. Ready to bestow further exceptional, special, unforgettable moments upon the equestrian sport, as in the year 2006. Aachen is ready for the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026, when the athletes will once again become immersed in the unmistakable atmosphere, which the crowd in Aachen creates in the most famous equestrian sport arenas in the world. Emotional – and unparalleled worldwide.

Become part of this incomparable event too and secure your tickets for the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026 online, via the hotline on +49-(0)241-9171111 or at the offices of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein.