However, this year's visitor record is also accompanied by other records: the police and Aicher Ambulance forces are recording more operations. However, and those responsible attribute this to the almost consistently good weather: All in all, it was a particularly relaxed Oktoberfest. “Sunny, happy, peaceful,” is how Wiesn boss Christian Scharpf sums it up. The press release even talks about a “Good Mood Wiesn”.
What is new is that the number of visitors increased significantly during the week: from Monday to Thursday inclusive by 18.5 percent in the first week and even by 28.9 percent in the second week. Scharpf attributes this, on the one hand, to the visitor guidance campaign “How to Wiesn”, and on the other hand, the persistent “late summer weather” certainly played a role. The large tents were rarely completely closed, and the beer gardens were usually well attended until late in the evening.
However, this is also true: the 2026 Oktoberfest will be marked by tragic accidents on the festival grounds, one of which - as things stand now - ended fatally. The first occurred on the first Monday late in the evening at the “Hangover” freefall tower. A 52-year-old ride employee was trapped under a gondola and fatally injured.
The second occurred on the morning of the last Sunday of the Oktoberfest: the 47-year-old employee of the swing boat was seriously injured at the Oidn Wiesn and had to be resuscitated. In both cases, the employees are said to have been in areas of the rides where they should not have been.
What Scharpf highlights positively is the new security concept: the use of artificial intelligence, newly installed cameras, crowd spotters, optimized communication channels for the emergency services – all of this has “proven itself in practice”. Although the main entrances had to be temporarily closed on two Saturdays, a complete closure of the festival site was never necessary, unlike last year. In addition, the multilingual announcements “created clarity,” said Scharpf.
According to the Munich Brewers Association, festival beer consumption has increased: by 2.7 percent compared to the previous year, bringing it to 6.7 million liters. According to Scharpf, the demand for wheat beer has increased disproportionately. Another trend, as was already apparent at half time, is sour shandy – beer mixed with sparkling water. Scharpf has now tried this drink himself and summed it up: “You can drink it.” After the classic half chicken was in less demand in previous years, the balance sheet shows that it was “on the rise again” this year, reports the Oktoberfest boss.
However, according to Scharpf, the stand operators in particular noticed this: there was a certain “reluctance to consume” among the visitors this year, so many probably just came to stroll. But the showmen can't complain. The good weather and the high number of visitors also helped them.
What's missing is a clear Oktoberfest hit right up to the last day: Although the children's song "Gute Mood" by Großstadtengel was often heard, you can't really call it a Oktoberfest hit, says Wiesn boss Scharpf.
The balance of the police and the Aicher Ambulance is positive: although both report more operations, Thomas Schelshorn, spokesman for the Munich police, speaks of a “predominantly relaxed general mood”. What didn't happen this time: A major operation like in 2025, when the festival grounds were closed for half a day due to a bomb threat.
Specifically, the police reported these figures: 1,851 operations, including 237 physical injuries; In 25 cases, a beer mug was the murder weapon. 80 sexual offenses were recorded by the final Sunday, five of which were suspected rapes. 207 drug violations were recorded – an increase of more than 80 percent; in most cases it was cocaine. 159 thefts were recorded, the majority of which were pickpocketing.
What has increased sharply: The number of cases in which the flight restriction area over the Oktoberfest and within a radius of 5.6 kilometers around it was ignored. While there were only eleven violations in 2025, there were 146 this year. 127 of these involved unmanned drones, and 15 cases involved manned aircraft such as gliders. The number of drunk driving on e-scooters has decreased slightly, but the police point out that anyone who dares to do so should be aware that driving an e-scooter while intoxicated is the same as driving a car while intoxicated.
The Aicher Ambulance, which orchestrates the medical service on the festival grounds, reported 8,409 patients by the final spurt. That is more than 20 percent above the previous year's figure. The most labor-intensive day for the paramedics was the final Oktoberfest Saturday with 935 patients. This means a daily and overall record. However, in only 40 percent of all cases was too much alcohol the sole reason for treatment. According to Michel Belcijan from the Aicher Ambulance, circulatory problems or minor cuts often occur.
What the paramedic highlights positively: Only 94 patients had to be taken to a clinic. The highest alcohol level that the paramedics recorded this year was 3.8 per mille. Belcijan says: “We can only measure those who are still motorically and cognitively capable of blowing into the device.”
This year's Oktoberfest was the 191st edition of the festival. Next year the celebration will take place from September 18th to October 3rd. When it comes to weather, popularity and atmosphere, Oktoberfest boss Christian Scharpf has one wish: “A copy-and-paste of the Oktoberfest 2026.”
