Unfortunately, the Mainz Oktoberfest cannot take place
The Administrative Court has upheld the City of Mainz's position: The use of the planned festival tent for the 2026 Mainz Oktoberfest at the fairgrounds remains prohibited.
The Mainz Administrative Court today, October 5, rejected an emergency motion filed by the event organizer. The organizer’s aim was to have the gathering place classified as a “temporary structure” and thus permitted to be erected without a building permit. Simplified requirements apply to “temporary structures.” The City of Mainz maintains that a gathering place that has existed for many years is not a “temporary structure,” but rather a permanent, fixed structure used as a gathering place. The Administrative Court’s decision supports the City of Mainz’s position. It is also a strong indication that the court will confirm the City of Mainz’s legal interpretation in the main proceedings as well. The written reasoning for the court’s decision has not yet been issued.
Furthermore, the documents submitted by the organizer on the afternoon of October 2, 2026, still do not demonstrate that the safety of the festival tent has been proven. As of 5:00 p.m. today, Monday, October 5, the required applications and supporting documentation had still not been submitted. No building permit application has been filed. No fire safety report has been submitted to date. Structural stability has also not been conclusively demonstrated.
Following the city’s decision and the Administrative Court’s rejection of the motion for summary relief, the festival tent may not be used for Oktoberfest.
Background:
In 2010, a temporary building permit was applied for the festival tent, as the organizer had planned it as a temporary event venue.
According to the organizer, it has been a transitional solution since 2018. At the initiative of the building authority, the organizer submitted the necessary documentation on each occasion.
Last year, the building authority tolerated the Oktoberfest as a final temporary solution, subject to strict requirements and conditions.
Eleven months ago (in a letter dated October 28, 2025), the organizer was informed that further tolerance of the interim solution would not be possible.
Since spring 2026, the building authority has repeatedly requested the necessary documents from the organizer.
On September 25, the City of Mainz granted the organizer a final deadline for submitting the documents.