RWTH Graduation Festival 2026

One of Germany's Largest Graduate Celebrations

The RWTH Graduation Festival is Germany's annual stage for university graduate celebrations. With around 6,500 visitors and 1,800 graduates (2025 figures), it ranks among the largest graduate celebrations of all – a format hosted by RWTH Aachen University for its Master's, Diploma, and Doctoral graduates. In 2026, the event will take place on Saturday, June 13 – exceptionally in June instead of the traditional September date.

Why June Instead of September 2026?

Aachen will be the venue for the World Equestrian Games (CHIO World Championships) in 2026 – one of Europe's largest equestrian events. These Games will occupy the Allianz Park grounds and the equestrian facilities around Aachen in September. As the Graduation Festival traditionally takes place on the equestrian grounds, the 2026 edition has been moved forward to June 13 as an exception. A unique date shift reflecting the status of Aachen as a city of equestrian sports.

Allianz Park Dressage Arena as the Venue

The venue is the Allianz Park dressage arena in Aachen-Schiebau – part of the Soerser Gelände, which is the site of the annual CHIO equestrian city. The dressage arena offers the necessary space for several thousand guests – stages, marquees, catering, and dining areas. The student city of Aachen celebrates its graduates here under the open sky.

Course of a Graduation Ceremony

Typical RWTH Graduation Festival atmosphere:

• Official Awarding of Certificates – on a large stage, organized by faculty
• Speeches – Rector, Vice-Rector, prominent RWTH alumni, representatives of sponsoring companies
• Gowns and Cap Tossing – Americanized university tradition, long established in Aachen
• Live Music and Party – Cover bands, DJ sets, followed by a party atmosphere for graduates and families
• Catering – Several food and drink stalls

Sponsorship — Industry Contributes

Main sponsors of the Graduation Festival include Evonik, VDI, Accenture, and other major companies. RWTH is one of Germany's most important engineering universities – its graduates are highly sought after by industry. Sponsoring the graduation ceremony is also an investment in recruitment.

RWTH Aachen — The Aachen University of Technology

RWTH Aachen University (Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule) is one of Germany's most important technical universities and one of North Rhine-Westphalia's largest universities. With over 47,000 students, about a third of whom are international. Focus areas include engineering, natural sciences, and medicine. The annual graduation ceremony at Allianz Park showcases this scale.

Sold Out

The event is already sold out (as of May 2026). Tickets go directly to the graduates and their invited family members – no tickets available to the public.