From September 24 to 27, 2026, the Longines Global Champions Tour returns to Vienna for a decisive stage of the season, transforming the historic Ehrenhof of Schönbrunn Palace into a world-class arena for elite equestrian sport. Against a breathtaking imperial backdrop featuring 1,441 rooms, top international show jumpers and, for the first time, CDI4* dressage riders will compete across four expanded days of competition.
Imperial Architecture Meets Modern Equestrian Mastery
The 1441-room UNESCO World Heritage site, deeply rooted in the history of the Habsburg Monarchy, offers an extraordinary setting for this year’s tour stop. Visitors traveling to the venue via the U4 underground line to Schönbrunn, tram lines 10 and 60, or bus 10A can experience an expanded event footprint that now spans four days rather than three. This year introduces international CDI4* dressage to the palace grounds for the very first time. The opening day on Thursday kicks off with an exclusive performance by the world-famous Spanish Riding School, setting a majestic tone before the weekend’s high-stakes jumping gets underway.
As the 2026 championship race intensifies, teams will battle through the Global Champions League of Vienna in a demanding test of speed, strategy, and precision. Following the team competition, the individual spotlight shifts to the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Vienna, where the sport’s premier athletes contend for one of the most prestigious titles on the circuit.
Dressage Royalty and Historic Legacies
Beyond the high-flying show jumping, the dressage arena features six invited nations: Austria, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Canada, and Australia. Germany sends talent to the Austrian capital, including Isabell Werth riding Viva Gold OLD and Katharina Hemmer aboard Special Gold PCH OLD. Both competing horses are descendants of Weihegold.
This equestrian showcase unfolds right outside the historic apartments where Empress Elisabeth—affectionately known as “Sisi”—once famously had her deerskin riding habits sewn directly onto her to ensure a flawless fit. Adding further charm to the weekend, the Westfälisches Pferdestammbuch hosts a specialized foal auction right on-site. Among the promising young prospects is a foal with jumping bloodlines bred by Stall Krehl in Lenzke, Brandenburg, sired by the J-Nius V.V. Z out of a sport-proven dam, Kasamona v. Kasanova de la Pomme.
Expanding the Experience at Schönbrunn
Organizers have upgraded the spectator experience for 2026 by expanding the GC Village, adding extra grandstand seating, and introducing new activities tailored for younger visitors throughout the weekend. The combination of elite sport, historic imperial architecture, and vibrant breeding showcases solidifies Vienna’s position as a fixture on the international equestrian calendar. Spectators can find further details, scheduling, and ticketing information directly through the official event schedule at Longines Global Champions Tour of Vienna.
