German Gas Balloon Championship & Balloon Museum Cup Gersthofen
German Championship for Gas Balloons in Gersthofen for the 125th anniversary of the Augsburg Free Balloon Club
About Gas Balloon Championship Gersthofen
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A Championship for a Rare Discipline
The German Championship for Gas Balloons is one of Germany's rarest and most fascinating sporting events. Gas balloons are a technical rarity: Only 35 gas balloons are registered in Germany, with about 50 existing worldwide. This makes Germany by far the most important location for this form of historical air sports — and Gersthofen, with the Augsburg Free Balloon Club, the traditional heart of this small scene.
125 Years of the Augsburg Free Balloon Club
The Augsburg Free Balloon Club is Germany's oldest free balloon club, founded in 1901, and will celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2026. On the occasion of this anniversary, it is organizing the 2026 German Championship together with the Gersthofen Balloon Museum — a unique combination of top sporting performance, historical remembrance, and public spectacle. Up to ten teams from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland will participate.
Main Race on May 13, 2026
The main race of the competition is on Wednesday, May 13, 2026: Starting at 11:00 AM, the inflation and preparation of the gas balloons will begin at the launch site — a visually and technically fascinating process that spectators can follow up close. At 6:00 PM, the joint launch of all balloons is planned, weather permitting. Ulrike Ferderl will moderate the event on-site and explain to the general public how this rare aviation discipline works.
Competition Format — Tasks Vary with Each Launch
The competition tasks for the Gas Balloon Championship are determined only shortly before the launch — depending on wind, weather forecast, and visibility. Possible tasks include distance races, target races (landing as close as possible to a designated point), duration races, or multiple tasks with GPS tracking. The discipline combines meteorological understanding, route planning, and cool piloting skills in a way that would be hardly possible in powered flight.
Gersthofen Balloon Museum — The Perfect Museum
The Gersthofen Balloon Museum is located right next to the launch site and will be open during the competition. It houses one of the most important collections on the history of ballooning in Germany: historical balloon baskets, pilot equipment, technical models, and memorabilia from 125 years of Augsburg's ballooning tradition. A visit to the museum can be ideally combined with watching the competition process.
Gersthofen — Industrial City with Ballooning Tradition
Gersthofen is an independent industrial city in the Augsburg district north of the Swabian metropolis. Geographically flat, with relatively calm west winds in spring and open countryside towards the Danube Valley, the region is ideally suited for balloon launches. The Augsburg-Gersthofen connection, with Germany's oldest gas balloon tradition, has made the town a center for this sport for over a century.
Weather Dependency — Excitement Until the End
Since gas balloons cannot launch in storms or thunderstorms, the event is weather-dependent. Current updates will be published on the Augsburg Free Balloon Club's website and Facebook page starting May 12, 2026. In case of impending bad weather, the launch may be postponed to another day of the competition week (May 12-17, 2026).
Gas Balloon Championship Gersthofen — edition 2026
The German Championship for Gas Balloons and the Balloon Museum Cup 2026 will take place from May 12 to 17, 2026, in Gersthofen. The main race is on Wednesday, May 13, 2026:
- From 11:00 AM — Start of inflation and preparation of the gas balloons at the launch site in Gersthofen Industrial Park (freely accessible to spectators)
- 6:00 PM — Planned joint launch of all 10 gas balloon teams from Germany and German-speaking countries
- On-site commentary: Ulrike Ferderl
The competition is part of the 125th-anniversary celebrations of the Augsburg Free Balloon Club, Germany's oldest free balloon club. The adjacent Gersthofen Balloon Museum will be open during the competition — an ideal combination of a live sporting event and a museum deepening the history of ballooning.
The exact competition tasks will be determined shortly before the launch, depending on the weather. In case of extreme weather conditions, a postponement to another day of the competition week is possible — current updates on the Augsburg Free Balloon Club's website and Facebook page from May 12, 2026.
Programme Gas Balloon Championship Gersthofen 2026
Program Wednesday, May 13, 2026 (Main Race)
- From 11:00 AM — Inflation and preparation of gas balloons at the Gersthofen launch site, publicly accessible
- 11:00 AM–6:00 PM — Explanations by commentator Ulrike Ferderl, team introductions, history of ballooning
- During preparation — Gersthofen Balloon Museum open (admission fee)
- 6:00 PM — Joint launch of all 10 gas balloon teams (weather permitting)
- After launch — Following the competition via GPS tracking
Competition Days May 12-17, 2026
In stable weather, the main race will be held on May 13. In case of bad weather, postponement to a later competition day of the week is possible. Current information on the Augsburg Free Balloon Club's website and Facebook page from May 12, 2026.
Accompanying Program
- Gersthofen Balloon Museum — one of the most important collections on the history of ballooning in Germany
- Food stands and club stands on-site
- Information stand from the Free Balloon Club explaining the history of gas ballooning
- Special events from the Free Balloon Club on the occasion of the 125th anniversary
Current detailed information: dfsv.de (German Free Balloon Sports Association) as well as the website and Facebook page of the Augsburg Free Balloon Club.
Highlights Gas Balloon Championship Gersthofen 2026
- German Championship for Gas Balloons — one of Germany's rarest sporting events
- 125th anniversary of the Augsburg Free Balloon Club (Germany's oldest free balloon club)
- Joint launch of 10 gas balloon teams on May 13 at 6 PM
- Publicly accessible launch site with inflation phase starting at 11 AM
- Gersthofen Balloon Museum next door open
- Commentary by Ulrike Ferderl
- Family-friendly open-air spectacle
Prices Gas Balloon Championship Gersthofen 2026
Watching at the launch site is free. Gersthofen Balloon Museum requires admission (regular €6, reduced €4, children under 6 free — prices as per museum website). Food and drinks available from food trucks and club stands on-site at usual prices.
Practical information — Gas Balloon Championship Gersthofen
Getting There
By car via the A8 (exit Gersthofen or Augsburg-Nord), then B17 to Gersthofen. Parking available at Gersthofen Industrial Park. By train to Gersthofen station (Augsburg–Donauwörth line), then by city bus or taxi.
Admission
Watching at the launch site is free. Balloon Museum requires admission (see ballonmuseum-gersthofen.de). Food and drinks available from food trucks and club stands on-site.
Weather
Weather-dependent open-air event. Postponement in case of storms or thunderstorms. Current updates on the Augsburg Free Balloon Club's website and Facebook page from May 12, 2026.
Family Friendly
The inflation and preparation of the gas balloons is an exciting multi-hour process that is particularly impressive for children. Food stands and a playground on-site.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Gas Balloon Championship Gersthofen al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Gas Balloon Championship Gersthofen
Ballonstartplatz und Ballonmuseum Gersthofen
Ballonstartplatz Gersthofen, Industriepark, 86368 Gersthofen