Schützenfest BSV Bottrop-Eigen

Schützenfest BSV Bottrop-Eigen — Over 100 Years of Tradition

In the Bottrop district of Eigen, the Bürgerschützenverein Bottrop-Eigen 1920 e.V. (Civic Riflemen's Association) has been a defining institution for over a century. Founded in 1920, the association organizes one of the city's largest riflemen's festivals every year at the traditional Bahnhof Nord festival grounds (Am Vorthbach, Bottrop-Eigen). In June 2026 — presumably from June 5th to 8th, 2026 — the association will once again celebrate its three-day riflemen's festival with the classic sequence of Rhineland-Westphalian customs.

Classic Three-Day Schedule

Friday — Bottrop Schlager Night

• Opening evening with the "Bottroper Schlagernacht" — Schlager stars and regional acts on the festival tent stage
• Atmospheric event, high visitor numbers
• Starts usually around 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM, ends after midnight

Saturday — Bird Shooting & Festival Parade

• Bird Shooting — the traditional king's competition, where the wooden bird figure is shot down
• 4:30 PM — Grand Festival Parade through the Eigen district: from Kirchhellener Straße via Lindhorststraße, Nordring, Brünerstraße to the festival tent
• Evening: Festival evening with live music, reception for the king and queen

Sunday — King's Shot & Coronation Ball

• Morning: Community breakfast in the festival tent
• King's Shot with proclamation of the new riflemen's king
• 5:30 PM — Second festival parade from the Bahnhof Nord festival grounds
• Evening: Coronation Ball with the crowning of the new king and queen, live dance music

BSV Bottrop-Eigen 1920 e.V.

The BSV Bottrop-Eigen is one of the oldest riflemen's associations in the city of Bottrop. Founded in 1920, the association has proven in recent years — with its 105th anniversary in 2025 — that the riflemen's tradition remains alive in the Ruhr area. The Bahnhof Nord festival grounds, with its central location in the district and connection to the main traffic routes, has been the home of the association's festival for generations.

Bottrop-Eigen — A District with Character

The Eigen district is located in the southwestern part of Bottrop, on the transition to the Bottrop city forest. With around 10,000 inhabitants, Eigen is one of the most traditional districts, shaped by its mining heritage and a strong association structure. The BSV's riflemen's festival is one of several folk festivals (Volksfeste) in the district — alongside the May Festival and the district fair (Kirmes).

Bottrop — A Major City on the Northern Edge of the Ruhr Area

The independent city of Bottrop is located on the northern edge of the Ruhr area, between Oberhausen and Gladbeck. With around 117,000 inhabitants, it is one of the smaller major cities in the Ruhr area, but it is strongly networked culturally and in terms of associations. Bottrop has several riflemen's associations that celebrate their festivals throughout the year — the BSV Bottrop-Eigen is one of the largest.