Top-level golf, side events, venue—the perfect ingredients for the 2026 German Challenge

Great anticipation for the half-dozen: The sixth edition of the German Challenge powered by VcG, taking place July 9–12, 2026, at the Wittelsbacher Golf Club, once again promises top-notch entertainment for golf fans and lovers of laid-back sporting events. The only German tournament on the HotelPlanner Tour will continue its remarkable success story. As an event featuring top-notch conditions and a great atmosphere, it has earned an excellent reputation not only among players. Last year, winner JC Ritchie from South Africa raved: “I love this tournament, this golf course, and the people here. The atmosphere is always extraordinary.”

The popular mix at what is perhaps Germany’s most extraordinary golf event in Neuburg an der Donau includes top international golfers, exciting up-and-comers, a variety of side events, and the sporting challenge on the beautiful grounds of the Wittelsbacher Golf Club.

German Challenge as a Stepping Stone

The sporting aspect remains at the heart of the event. After the first editions already impressively demonstrated the tournament’s value for up-and-coming German players, more talented golfers are now hoping to gain plenty of competitive experience and opportunities to earn their way onto the DP World Tour. The numerous national starting opportunities on the HotelPlanner Tour throughout the season help German golfers achieve this. In addition, well-known stars also use events like the German Challenge powered by VcG to work their way back into the DP World Tour fields.

Attractive Field

This year, an impressively strong German contingent is fueling high hopes for the title. Favorites for the first home victory include DP World Tour winner Max Kieffer, Olympian Hurly Long, top prospect Tiger Christensen, and Asian Tour winner Dominic Foos, who impressed with a second-place finish last year. Other prominent German starters include Max Rottluff, Allen John, Nick Bachem, Jannik de Bruyn, Alex Knappe, Anton Albers, and Michael Hirmer.

“The German Challenge powered by VcG is of outstanding importance for the development of our best junior and professional players,” says Christoph Herrmann, head national coach for men’s golf at the German Golf Association. “It offers our players an excellent platform to compete against international rivals and take the next step on their path to professional golf. For young professionals and ambitious amateurs in particular, this presents a rare opportunity to showcase their skills at an international level right here in their own country. This is a major advantage, especially at the start of a career, because the players’ personal circles, potential sponsors and supporters, as well as the media, can directly follow their development. Equally valuable are the additional playing opportunities that a tournament of this caliber creates in Germany. Through the national qualifying spots and the structures of the HotelPlanner Tour, our most talented players gain important opportunities to gain international tournament experience and prove themselves worthy of further appearances at this level.”

Feel the vibe – enjoy the game

In addition to the sporting aspect, the event also offers plenty of entertainment. Highlights include the Pro-Am on Wednesday of tournament week and the legendary VcG Players’ Party on Friday evening starting at 7:30 p.m., themed “Karaoke & Dance Party.” Admission is free for anyone interested. The public area will also feature a variety of offerings throughout the tournament days: a food truck serving fresh bowls and grilled delicacies, an ice cream truck, the Weinfreunde, and others will keep visitors well-fed. In addition, VcG will once again be on hand with an Ape and a slush ice machine. Attractive offers are also available from Adidas and the FAZ; beanbag chairs from Brasilheroe provide cozy moments in the “Chill Garden,” and the Vredestein grandstand offers the best view of the 1st tee and the 9th green.

A TrackMan simulator with social games and mini-contests provides exciting variety on the digital Fairways.

Pro-Am Tournament at the German Challenge

In the lead-up to the tournament, the traditional Pro-Am tournament will take place on Wednesday, July 8—a spectacular highlight for amateur golfers, who will compete alongside the pros in a team competition. Playing a round alongside a pro on a perfectly groomed tournament course is one of the major goals of many golfers. In other sports, this is almost always an unfulfilled dream—but not in golf. This special, up-close experience is rounded out by side events and a summer garden party featuring the awards ceremony.

Beat the Pro

An equally unforgettable experience awaits up to 35 kids and teens between the ages of 9 and 13 during the tournament: First, they’ll have the chance to gain new insights into their game during an exclusive training session with a German pro. In addition, five of them will then get to compete against the pros in a flight by hitting a single shot onto the green during the tournament round—with the chance to triumph with a dream shot. This hosted spectacle on Saturday has been a highlight in recent years, and fans should definitely tune in again this year. Applications are now being accepted via the website.

Admission is free for children 16 and under. Dogs are also welcome. Tickets are now available at the following link: www.german-challenge.de/tickets

(Text: Starke & Pfeiffer)