Oktoberfest 2026 sets visitor records
7.4 million guests attend the Munich Oktoberfest - numerous accidents and incidents overshadow the festival finale.
Quick Look
- With 7.4 million visitors, the Munich Oktoberfest 2026 will set a new record.
- The festival ended with traditional firecracker shooting, but was marked by several serious accidents, including two deaths, as well as various crimes and a gas attack.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Oktoberfest is the world's largest folk festival and takes place annually in Munich. The previous visitor record was 7.2 million people in 2023.
According to the city, 7.4 million visitors attended the Munich Oktoberfest this year. That's more than ever before. The previous record was 7.2 million visitors in 2023. “This makes the 2026 Oktoberfest the most visited in its long history,” said Oktoberfest boss Christian Scharpf (SPD).
The crowds flocked, as did the beer: according to the city, 6.7 million pints of beer were drunk. That is 2.7 percent more than in 2025 (6.5 million). When it comes to food, Oktoberfest hosts reported an increase of two to three percent. The “classic Hendl is on the rise again”. Of the 7.4 million visitors, 447,000 were also guests at the Oidn Wiesn.
During the firecracker shooting at the end of the Oktoberfest, a shot was accidentally fired. A video shows how the shooters below the Bavaria shoot forward instead of upward. There was a missed shot, Commander Werner Waschbichler confirmed to the dpa. “Due to the specified safety distances, nothing happened.”
Three Oktoberfest visitors were injured in an attack with gas on Saturday evening at the exit of the Augustiner tent. During an argument, a previously unknown man pulled out a pistol-like object and aimed it in the direction of a 38-year-old. Gas was leaking from the object. A search for the perpetrator has so far been unsuccessful.
Munich's Mayor Dominik Krause was enthusiastic: "What a picture-book Oktoberfest! Peaceful, relaxed and in a good mood." The new security concept has also proven itself.
There were also subversive crimes: two men were arrested after they shouted Nazi slogans and gave the Hitler salute in the Bräurosl or in front of the Ochsenbraterei. Another incident occurred in front of the Skylift in which a 33-year-old injured a 29-year-old in the head with a wine bottle.
A 22-year-old visitor also injured a paramedic by kicking her in the genital area after she was denied access to the treatment room.
The outcome of the festival was marred by serious accidents. In addition to a fatal accident at the freefall tower and the death of a 90-year-old visitor after a fall, a 47-year-old employee was critically injured on the ship's swing on the final day.
Open Questions
- What is the state of health of the employee who had an accident on the swing ship?
- Who is the perpetrator of the gas attack?
