With one year remaining until the 2026 World Championships of six equestrian disciplines in Aachen, Germany (Aug. 11-23), organizers have unveiled key event details. The championships will feature dressage in the Main Stadium before 40,000 spectators, continuing Aachen’s tradition of hosting premier equestrian events, including the 2006 World Equestrian Games and 2015 European Championships. The opening night will showcase a grand parade of nations, a quadrille of 64 stallions from German state studs, and appearances by international royal families in horse-drawn carriages. The competition schedule divides the disciplines across two weeks, with dressage, eventing, and vaulting in the first week, followed by show jumping, four-in-hand driving, and para dressage in the second week.
Para dressage and vaulting will take place in Stadium 3, which is being specially roofed for the event and seats up to 6,300 spectators, emphasizing the integration of para riders within the championships. The event also serves as the first major qualifier for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, although the USA automatically qualifies as the host nation. Organizers aim to reinforce Aachen’s status as a global flagship for equestrian sports and set new standards for international competitions. Individual event tickets are already sold out, with remaining tickets available online and through official channels.
