Aachen 2015 (GER): Less than 500 days to go

31 March 2014

Tens of thousands of equestrian sport fans at the jumping and dressage competitions in the main stadium, an ecstatic atmosphere during the reining and vaulting in the then covered dressage stadium and spectacular four-in-hand teams on the marathon course: The FEI European Championships in five equestrian sport disciplines from August 11th-23rd, 2015 are eagerly awaited. Last Saturday, there were precisely 500 days to go before the European Championships start.

The recollections of the fantastic 2006 World Championships in Aachen were omnipresent as the organisers presented their concept for the European Championships in Aachen. This is no surprise since what distinguished the event seven years ago, also applies for the 2015 European Championships: Several disciplines will be staged at one location.

“The heart of the equestrian sport beats in Aachen. Where else could the next chapter in the history of equestrian sport be written, if not here at the traditional showgrounds at the Soers?” asked Carl Meulenbergh, President of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V., organisers of the Championships. The Show Director, Frank Kemperman, not only presented the programme (details are available at www.aachen2015.de), he also informed the public that although it is not a European Championship discipline – the best eventers will also be travelling to Aachen. “The riders definitely want to compete in Aachen again, which led to our decision to stage a competition including a Nations Cup,” stated Kemperman. He also presented the comprehensive construction measures. The most visible element of which is the construction of a new stand in the Deutsche Bank Stadium. Furthermore, the dressage training areas are to be expanded, parts of the stands in the main stadium are being refurbished and renovated, a new stable building is being erected and the entire grounds will be further adapted to meet the needs of the disabled. Furthermore, considerable sums are being invested in the IT infrastructure, among others in order to be able to offer the visitors of the CHIO and European Championships a free Wi-Fi service.

There is high demand for tickets: “Of course we were anticipating huge interest being shown, but the fact that the season tickets are already sold-out even took us by surprise,” commented Michael Mronz, like Frank Kemperman OC member of the European Championships Aachen 2015. Around 30 percent of all tickets have already been sold. Tickets can be ordered at www.aachen2015.de or via the ticket hotline (+49-(241-917-1111).

Approx. 450,000 spectators are expected at the Soers. The budget is 24 million Euros, the total prize-money amounts to approx. 1.76 million Euros. And there is great interest on the sponsor front: “the fact that we have already signed contracts with many partners, including among others Deutsche Bank and Rolex, underlines the huge importance of the European Championships in Aachen,” stated Mronz.

A comprehensive social media campaign will accompany the equestrian sport fans on the way to the European Championships. In addition, the organisers will hugely expand the existing digital offer including among others the development of an own app for smartphones.

Aachen’ Lord Mayor, Marcel Philipp, promised that Aachen‘s citizens will turn the European Championships into “their” European Championships. There is not only going to be an extensive cultural programme, but also the Medal Award Ceremony at the market square, which we are familiar with from the 2006 World Championships, will be staged again. The European Championships will be promoted across the cityscape in all sorts of ways, “Aachen is going to be a likeable host,” said Marcel Philipp.

Source: CHIO Aachen