NetAachen Domspringen

Pole Vaulting Between Cathedral and Town Hall

There is no athletics event like this: When the pole vaulters take their run-ups on the Katschhof in Aachen on June 23, 2026, they will look up at Charlemagne's coronation church, the Aachen Cathedral with its over 1,200 years of history, and the Gothic Aachen Town Hall. This backdrop is the unique selling point of the NetAachen Domspringen — no other pole vaulting event in the world takes place in such a UNESCO World Heritage setting.

Program — the King and Queen of the Day

The 2026 Domspringen runs in two acts:

• 3:00 PM — Women's Competition: International top female athletes compete. German stars like Anjuli Knäsche and newcomers from the DLV junior ranks are expected, along with international greats from Poland, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Australia (exact lineup from spring 2026).
• approx. 7:00 PM — Men's Competition: The main event. Bo Kanda Lita Baehre (ART Düsseldorf), Oleg Zernikel (ASV Landau), Torben Blech (TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen), as well as international stars like Kurtis Marschall (Australia), Ben Broeders (Belgium), and Thibaut Collet (France) are among the experienced participants. Who will compete in 2026 will be announced by the organizer in May/June.

An Aachen Success Story

The Domspringen was launched in 2006 and has been a hallmark of Aachen since its first edition. The 20th anniversary edition in 2025 was celebrated with special splendor; the 21st edition in 2026 continues the tradition and is on the list of "European boutique meetings" for pole vaulters — events with their own unique charm that serve as popular training and preparation stops between the major Diamond League meetings.

Atmosphere — Stand, Clap, Cheer

5,000 spectators crowd the Katschhof. There are no grandstand seats; the audience stands or sits on the steps in front of the Cathedral. When the crucial heights are attempted, the atmosphere is electric — drummers, cheering choreographies, and the typical rhythmic clapping of the pole vaulting scene accompany every run-up. If the bar falls: groans from 5,000 throats. If it stays up: cheers that echo between the Cathedral and the Town Hall.

Organizers and Commitment

The main sponsor is NetAachen, the regional internet and energy provider for the Aachen region. The commitment is long-term — NetAachen also supports other sports and cultural projects in the city. The co-organizer and sporting body is the North Rhine Athletics Association.

Charlemagne and Pole Vaulting

For those who want to draw a historical parallel: Charlemagne (742–814), in whose cathedral the event is held, founded the schola palatina in Aachen — the first systematic school for Europe's leading minds. The Domspringen athletes are the leading minds (and legs) of their sport. History and the present meet on the Katschhof.