Oktoberfest Poster Competition 2026

Until December 18 graphic designers could submit their designs for the Oktoberfest poster 2026.

The prize money is €2,500 for first place, €1,250 for second place, and €500 for third place. In addition, the winner will receive a fee of €5,000 for the transfer of usage rights. However, the city is not actually obligated to use any of the designs as posters.

Designs in the public vote

129 designs were submitted for the 2026 poster competition, 89 of which made it to the public vote after an initial review. Since January 15 at 8 a.m., these have been available for public voting to determine the 30 most popular proposals. A jury will then select the top three from these. If the state capital's favorites do not make it into the top 30, it may nominate up to five more—so much for the value of public voting.

Among other things, one surprising entry is a design that was submitted in the wrong page format, as well as motif number 60, which attributes the Olympic rings to the Olympic loop, which, not entirely coincidentally, does not use them. These are actually protected by law in Germany.

Images: LHM/Department of Labor and Economic Development