Hauptstadion, Equestrian stadium in Soers, Germany
Hauptstadion is an equestrian complex in Aachen with multiple competition fields for international show jumping. The grounds feature tiered seating areas arranged around the riding courts, designed to accommodate both equestrian tournaments and large concert events.
The stadium's 2005 renovation, costing about 17 million euros, added three new grandstands, a judges' tower and floodlights, and it reopened on 23 August 2005 with the Grand Prix of Aachen, won by Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum. It then hosted the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games. The CHIO itself has been held in Aachen since 1924, organised by the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein, founded in 1898.
Since 1992 the CHIO has carried the name Weltfest des Pferdesports, and it is the only CHIO held in Germany under FEI rules. The 150 by 120 metre main arena hosts the show jumping events, with around 40,000 spectators. The Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein, founded in 1898, organises the tournament.
The venue is easily accessed from the federal highway B57. Since the grounds spread across a large area, visitors should allow extra time to navigate between different competition fields or seating areas.
The grounds function as one of the largest open-air music venues in the region, with capacity for tens of thousands of concertgoers. This dual use as both an equestrian facility and concert space makes it a versatile event location.
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