30 days to go until the FEI WEG Aachen 2006 -
Tickets for all competitions again

On Friday it was only 30 days to go until the start of the FEI World Equestrian Games 2006 in Aachen (August 20th - September 3rd), when over 800 equestrian athletes and 500,000 visitors will pour into the region from home and abroad. "And our grounds will be in top condition for the Opening Ceremony on August 20th," commented Hans Kauhsen, Executive Board member of the WEG organiser, the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein (ALRV). If you hurry tickets are now available again for all of the competitions and for the WEG Opening Ceremony - since several international associations didn't exhaust their original quota of entrance tickets (Hotline: +49-(0)241-917-1111).

"The WEG already arrived in Aachen ages ago," noted Jochen Bräutigam, Chairman of the Sparkasse Aachen making reference to the many flags or posters on display all over the region. "We all want to present ourselves as cosmopolitan hosts." As World Partners of the event, the Sparkasse organisation is showing manifold commitment at the second largest sporting event in Germany this decade. For instance by sponsoring both show-jumping and vaulting competitions - the Prize of the Sparkasse - but also with activities in the supporting programme of events or in the form of the services offered at the Sparkasse Meeting Point on the show grounds. In addition, the Sparkasse also developed an "intelligent" e-ticketing entrance card together with the ALRV.

To make sure that the sportsmen and women and the visitors can enjoy ideal conditions, the show grounds are currently being given the final touches. "We erected four new floodlight masts in Stadium 1 this week, so that the decisive show-jumping and dressage competitions can also be staged in the evening," explained ALRV General Director, Frank Kemperman. In this way the final round of the Mercedes-Benz Nations' Cup will also be spectacularly fought out under floodlight on Thursday evening, (August 31st). Furthermore, the paths on the rear side of the West Stand in Stadium 1 have been widened and the cross-country course for the eventing and marathon driving competitions has been completed. The number of toilets has been increased once again. "We are in the meantime World Champions in building toilets," Kemperman joked. A temporary roof has also been built over the stadium that is being used for the reining and vaulting competitions - as prescribed for both disciplines by the International Equestrian Association, the FEI. "We are carrying out the construction work for the future of the equestrian sport in Aachen, not just for the World Equestrian Games, but also for the CHIO, our annual event," commented Kemperman.

"We are very pleased that we were able to put 95 percent of the entrance tickets up for public sale," said Michael Mronz, General Director of the Aachener Reitturnier GmbH. "In comparison the figure lay at only 70 percent for the Football World Cup." Over 150,000 visitors will be travelling to the region from abroad. "The interest from the media is amazing as well. TV broadcasts will be transmitted in more than 130 countries, we were in fact able to tie up new contracts with the Middle East just this week." Even the famous channel, the BBC, will be broadcasting the eventing competitions live. To ensure that the tournament runs smoothly, the ALRV is still looking for voluntary staff to work as stewards and chauffeurs. "You can all experience the excitement here in Aachen as we look forward to the start of the World Equestrian Games," Hans Kauhsen pointed out.

Tickets online

Tickets: +49(0)241- 917 - 11 11