What CHIO Aachen does

CHIO Aachen (legally organized as Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. and Aachener Reitturnier GmbH) is a German non-profit sports association founded in 1898 that produces the World Equestrian Festival in Aachen, Germany. It hosts an annual international equestrian competition spanning five disciplines — show jumping, dressage, para dressage, eventing, driving, and vaulting — and is one of only four Major tournaments constituting the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. The organization serves three primary customer segments: equestrian sports enthusiasts and families attending as spectators, corporate and high-net-worth clients purchasing Champions Circle VIP hospitality, and young riders competing in the Aachen Youngstars youth development program. Geographic reach is centered on Germany (with a global rider and audience footprint), and the association operates the TSCHIO Aachen Village on-site commercial zone plus an international audience via ClipMyHorse.TV streaming and German public broadcasters (WDR, ARD, ZDF).

The association's commercial operations are built around an SAP-powered online ticketing platform (tickets.chioaachen.de) supporting ticket, VIP package, and gift voucher sales, supplemented by a fanshop (shop.chioaachen.de) selling branded merchandise, an iOS/Android mobile app with on-site engagement features (quizzes, treasure hunts, CHIO-STAWAG-TV), the CHIO Aachen CAMPUS educational platform, the CHIO Aachen Magazine print and digital publication, and the CHIO Aachen Museum. Revenue is generated through four streams: ticket sales, main and general sponsorships (Mercedes-Benz, Allianz, Turkish Airlines, Rolex), VIP/hospitality services, and merchandise/fanshop transactions. Pricing is tiered by discipline and seating category, with VIP hospitality packages combining premium seating with full-day Champions Circle restaurant access and fanshop items ranging from €6.50 for magazines to €69.90 for blankets.

The organization's go-to-market is direct-to-consumer and partnership-driven: tickets are sold via the online shop, physical offices, and authorized sales points; broadcast and streaming partnerships (WDR, ARD, ZDF, ClipMyHorse.TV) extend reach to mass audiences; the Partner Country program (annual since 2001) drives international audience expansion; and a 450+ volunteer network, alongside 11-50 full-time staff, executes the annual event plus year-round ecosystem operations. Technology infrastructure is conventional: SAP ticketing, Stripe and other payment processors (BS Payone, Computop, SOFORT/Klarna, American Express), UNISERV address authentication, Google Analytics, Borlabs Cookie consent management, and ClipMyHorse.TV streaming — with no disclosed proprietary AI/ML capabilities.

Name

CHIO Aachen

Legal name

Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. (ALRV) und Aachener Reitturnier GmbH (ART)

Website

https://chioaachen.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1898

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CHIO Aachen is a German non-profit sports association founded in 1898 that organizes the annual World Equestrian Festival in Aachen — one of four Rolex Grand Slam Major show-jumping tournaments — serving equestrian enthusiasts, families, corporate hospitality clients, and junior riders via ticketing, sponsorships, VIP hospitality, merchandise, and broadcast streaming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Equestrian Sports Events

NAICS

Racetracks (711212)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Equestrian & Rodeo Facilities (MPAKAEAM)

Keywords

• Equestrian sports events
• International horse shows
• Show jumping tournaments
• World equestrian festival
• Dressage eventing driving

Headquarters

HQ city

Aachen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from sale of tickets to equestrian events across multiple disciplines (jumping, dressage, eventing, driving, vaulting). Tickets sold online, at offices, and authorized sales points with categories including VIP hospitality.
2. Sponsorship: Revenue from main sponsors Mercedes, Allianz, Turkish Airlines, and Rolex, as well as general sponsors and other commercial partnerships.
3. Merchandise/Fanshop: Online fanshop selling CHIO Aachen branded merchandise including clothing, accessories, souvenirs, plush toys (Karli mascot), and publications (CHIO Aachen Magazine).
4. Hospitality/VIP Services: Champions Circle VIP restaurant and hospitality packages offering premium seating and exclusive access to VIP areas.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

CHIO Aachen is a non-profit sports association that organizes and operates the annual World Equestrian Festival (Weltfest des Pferdesports) in Aachen, Germany, an international equestrian competition featuring show jumping, dressage, para dressage, eventing, driving, and vaulting. The organization sells tickets across disciplines, offers VIP hospitality through the Champions Circle, runs the Aachen Youngstars youth competition, operates the CHIO Aachen CAMPUS educational platform, and generates revenue from major sponsorships and branded merchandise. It is one of four Major tournaments in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

Product overview

CHIO Aachen operates primarily as an annual World Equestrian Festival event, supplemented by a digital ecosystem of products and services. The core offering is the international equestrian competition featuring jumping, dressage, para dressage, eventing, driving, and vaulting. Supporting products include the CHIO Aachen CAMPUS for educational content, a mobile app for event services and engagement features, the CHIO Aachen Magazine for editorial content, a Ticket Shop for event access, a Fanshop for merchandise, and the TSCHIO Aachen Village for on-site shopping and lifestyle experiences. Additional offerings include the CHIO Aachen Museum documenting event history, a podcast series, and the Aachen Youngstars youth competition series.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CHIO Aachen CAMPUS: An educational and training platform associated with the CHIO Aachen equestrian event
• CHIO Aachen Village
• CHIO Aachen Magazin
• Aachen Youngstars
• Karli
• Das Silberne Pferd
• Silberne Kamera

Products and services

• CHIO Aachen World Equestrian Festival The flagship annual international equestrian sport event featuring jumping, dressage, para dressage, eventing, driving, and vaulting competitions at the Allianz Park stadium in Aachen, Germany. Recognized as one of the world's most prestigious equestrian festivals and one of four Major tournaments in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Open to elite riders, equestrian enthusiasts, families, and corporate hospitality clients.
• CHIO Aachen CAMPUS Standalone educational and training platform associated with CHIO Aachen offering online courses, workshops, and a CAMPUS shop for equestrian-related educational content and merchandise. Targets equestrian learners, trainers, and enthusiasts seeking structured equestrian education.
• Aachen Youngstars Youth competition series combining Aachen Dressage Youngstars and Aachen Jumping Youngstars (Salut-Festival) for junior riders in multiple age classes. Targets young and aspiring equestrian athletes from multiple countries as a pathway to professional equestrian sports.
• Horse & Symphony Concert event combining equestrian performances with symphony orchestra music, featuring special entertainment and show elements. Targets festival attendees and live music enthusiasts seeking a combined sports and cultural experience.
• CHIO Aachen VIP Hospitality (Champions Circle) VIP restaurant and hospitality service offering premium seating tickets combined with full-day access to the Champions Circle restaurant at the CHIO Aachen venue. Targets corporate clients, high-net-worth individuals, and businesses seeking premium entertainment venues for client entertainment and networking.
• CHIO Aachen Museum On-site museum showcasing the history of CHIO Aachen and equestrian sports with exhibits including personal items of legendary riders, trophies, medals, and memorabilia. Currently temporarily closed.

Quantifiable outcome

• CHIO Aachen 2026 Rolex Grand Prix winner Richard Vogel achieved his second consecutive major victory, advancing his bid for the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mercedes-BenzcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMain sponsor of CHIO Aachen, providing premium vehicle transportation and brand association with one of the world's most prestigious equestrian events. Mercedes-Benz logo appears prominently throughout the event grounds and marketing materials.
• RolexcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMain sponsor and namesake of the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix and Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Rolex provides trophies and serves as the most prominent brand association with the pinnacle competition of CHIO Aachen.
• Turkish AirlinescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMain sponsor of CHIO Aachen, connecting the international equestrian event with global travel. Brand appears on event marketing and sponsorship displays.
• AllianzcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGeneral Sponsor and naming rights partner of Allianz Park, the main event venue. Allianz branding appears on the stadium and hospitality areas.
• STAWAGminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal utility company sponsoring CHIO Aachen with TV broadcast integration (CHIO-STAWAG-TV), contributing to local community engagement.
• SAP Deutschland SE & Co. KGcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing the web-based online platform for the sale of entrance tickets. SAP's event ticketing solution powers the tickets.chioaachen.de shop.
• WDR/ARD/ZDFcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman public broadcasting partners providing live TV coverage of major CHIO Aachen competitions, extending event reach to millions of viewers across Germany.
• ClipMyHorse.TVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStreaming platform partner providing live and on-demand coverage of all CHIO Aachen competitions not broadcast on TV, accessible globally online.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hampton Classic Horse Show: Major US equestrian event in Bridgehampton, NY, featuring grand prix show jumping, hunter, and equitation competitions. Comparable as a high-prestige North American equestrian festival.
• Longines Global Champions Tour: Premier international show jumping series featuring events in multiple global cities. Comparable as a top-tier show jumping competition organizer targeting elite riders and global sponsorship.
• The Dutch Masters ('s-Hertogenbosch): Fourth of the four Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors, held in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. Closely comparable indoor equestrian festival combining show jumping, dressage, and carriage driving at the highest level.
• Dublin Horse Show (RDS): Ireland's premier international equestrian event featuring show jumping, dressage, and national showing competitions. Comparable as a long-running national equestrian festival with international rider participation.
• Spruce Meadows: One of the other four Major tournaments in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, located in Calgary, Canada. Direct peer in scale, prestige, and competition format (international show jumping majors with top global riders).
• London International Horse Show (Olympia): Major indoor equestrian event held annually at Olympia London, featuring international show jumping, dressage, and showing. Comparable as a top-tier prestige equestrian competition in a major European capital.
• CHI Geneva (Geneva International Horse Show): Third of the four Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors, held annually in Geneva, Switzerland. Direct peer offering comparable international show jumping, dressage, and indoor equestrian competition.
• Royal Windsor Horse Show: Major UK equestrian event held in the private grounds of Windsor Castle, featuring international show jumping, dressage, and showing. Comparable as a prestigious annual equestrian competition with royal/heritage positioning.

Regional players

• Equitana (Horse Fair / Pferd International): Major German/European equestrian trade fair and exhibition. Comparable as a regional German-language equestrian event organizer but focused on trade/consumer exhibition rather than elite sport competition.

Others

• Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI): International governing body of equestrian sports, sanctioning major championships including the FEI World Equestrian Games. Adjacent peer as the regulatory body whose rules and rankings shape CHIO Aachen's competition framework.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@chio_aachen
• Facebookfacebook.com/chioaachen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chioaachen
• Instagraminstagram.com/chio_aachen
• TikToktiktok.com/@chio_aachen
• Xx.com/CHIO_Aachen

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CHIO Aachen