The 2026 FEI World Championships already are in the process of being well-organized a year out, but what else would you expect from a competition being staged at the Aachen, Germany, showgrounds?
At a press conference this week, those involved including FEI President Ingmar de Vos and Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein President Stefanie Peters gave a rundown of what to expect at the qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Ingmar noted that since the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games were held in Aachen, the sport has grown exponentially, with the number of international competitions rising from 2,000 to 4,700, and the number of registered horses going from 40,000 to 80,000.
At the same time, he emphasized that “the approach to horse welfare and well-being has changed over the last 20 years. In Aachen ’26, we are looking forward to having a world championship with horse welfare at its heart. We will use this opportunity to show the public how well sport horses are looked after and how respected, cared-for and protected they are.”
The information presented during the press conference revealed a lot to look forward to next year, unless you wanted tickets to the dressage freestyle under the lights in the main stadium, or one of the 35,000 seats for the show jumping team and individual finals–they’re already sold out. They are among half of all the tickets that are no longer available. (To order tickets, click on this link)
There is plenty of action still available for viewing, however, with eventing, vaulting, four-in-hand driving and para-dressage on the schedule. Admission to the para competition is free of charge. Like the vaulters, the para riders will compete in the regular dressage stadium, which is being covered for the occasion.
The show will be spectacular. Those of us lucky enough to have attended the remarkable 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games at Aachen enjoy memories of a celebration showcasing thrilling horse sport, beautifully presented and meticulously planned.
“Twenty years after the 2006 World Equestrian Games, everyone is still raving about this fantastic event,” Stefanie pointed out.
Next year’s opening ceremonies, always a treat, will feature exquisite choreography and a 64-stallion quadrille.
The stallion quadrille that was a highlight of the 2006 WEG will return in 2026. (Photo © 2006 by Nancy Jaffer)
Wisely, looking toward the future of the sport, there also will be a chance for the next generation to participate. The idea is to “give kids a share in Aachen,” with riding schools and clubs having their own competition on the Monday that is a rest day for the major competition between the two weeks of the championships.
The city of Aachen, which was once Charlemagne’s imperial capital, also will be part of the 13-day celebration, with concerts and other activities for the public.
Just as the 2006 WEG was a landmark, the 2026 championships promise to be the same. Ingmar noted that after the last WEG, in 2018, requirements for world multi-championships were eased, which is why Aachen did not have to include endurance, since there is little interest in it in Germany. But 2026 will be the biggest championships since 2018, and perhaps the inspiration for others to be held elsewhere in the future.
Individually, 2006 was an inspiration for 2024 Paris show jumping Olympic individual gold medalist Christian Kukuk. The German star recalled attending that WEG as a 16-year-old.
“I have unbelievable memories. I do remember that my family went there and I was with them for a day and was so impressed and I told myself, `Hopefully, you will be able to have this atmosphere, this competition, this championship in Aachen once again in your career.’
“Just after the Olympic dream, there is the dream of having a championship in Aachen. Now I’m super excited to at least have the opportunity to be part of it in ’26,” he said.
While anything can happen along the way, he noted, “I have a great team of horses in my stable and for sure, after Paris last year, my head was already in Aachen for ’26. That’s my big goal for next year.”
Christian Kukuk and the fabulous Checker in Wellington, Fla., earlier this year. (Photo © 2025 by Nancy Jaffer)
Interestingly, he will go to Wellington, Fla., in the U.S. to compete from January on.
“I will try to make sure I have enough competitions in grass fields, because normally, our championships in the last years were always held on sand arenas.
“Aachen is anyway a very, very special place and stadium. The conditions are a little different, we ride in a big grass arena. So I want to make sure my horses get used to it.”