Overview
- Mayor Dominik Krause is scheduled to perform the traditional Fassanstich at 12:00 on Saturday, September 19, handing the first Maß to Bavaria’s Ministerpräsident Markus Söder as the 16‑day festival begins.
- Authorities have tightened crowd controls with a new coordination and observation centre, AI‑assisted cameras to spot large gatherings, entry checks, bag limits and roughly 600 police on duty.
- Sport outlets report that FC Bayern captain Joshua Kimmich was personally invited to the Anstich and may receive one of the first Maßkrüge, but his attendance is reported as uncertain because Bayern play the night before.
- Organisers introduced three new rides and a small tent called 'Bartls Flößerstadl', and meteorologists forecast mostly sunny, mild weather for the opening and much of the festival.
- The festival expects around six million visitors over 16 days, with the stricter security measures and access rules likely to change visitor flows and queuing times while aiming to reduce the risk of overcrowding and related emergencies.