Mainzer Drachenboot Festival 2026

The Mainzer Drachenboot Festival is one of the largest dragon boat events on the Middle Rhine. Organised by the traditional club Kanufreunde 1929 e.V. Mainz-Mombach, the festival will take place in 2026 on Saturday, May 9, in the Mombach harbour in Mainz.

Dragon Boat Racing on Four Courses

Paddling takes place on four course lengths: 250 m (short course), 500 m, 2,000 m (long course), and 4,000 m. The short and long courses are also offered for pure fun teams; the longer and faster courses are reserved for sports teams. Each dragon boat has around 20 paddlers plus a coxswain and a drummer who sets the pace.

Fun Teams and Sports Teams

The festival thrives on the mix of teams. Companies, clubs, circles of friends, and families start in the fun class, often with imaginative team names and outfits. In addition, experienced sports teams from Germany and neighbouring countries compete with professional training and corresponding ambition.

Daily Schedule

The day begins at 8:15 am with the team captains' meeting and course briefing. The first heats start at 9:15 am; throughout the day, there will be preliminary, intermediate, and final heats, each with short breaks for course changes and boat handovers. The award ceremony concludes the day in the late afternoon.

Mombach Harbour as the Venue

The Mombach harbour on Rheinallee 128b is a protected harbour arm in the Mainz district of Mombach with direct access to the Rhine. It is ideal for dragon boat racing: calm water, good visibility from the bank, and ample space for the festival tent, boat, and warm-up areas.

Free Admission

Admission for spectators is free. A festival tent with catering provides gastronomic support. For years, the festival has been a family day trip, club meeting, and high-performance sports venue all in one.