The opening ceremony will take place on Friday, 25 September, from 6.00 pm to approximately 7.15 pm at the “Swiss Life Hall” main sports hall, Ferdinand-Wilhelm-Fricke-Weg 8, 30169 Hanover. The programme will be hosted by the well-known television presenter and sports official Norbert König. The Organising Committee has put together a varied programme featuring high-profile guests: In addition to welcoming addresses by Dr Andreas Philippi (Lower Saxony’s Minister for Social Affairs, Labour, Health and Equality), Belit Onay (Lord Mayor of the State Capital of Hanover) and Reinhard Rawe (Chairman of the Lower Saxony State Sports Federation), visitors can look forward to an impressive modern dance performance by TKW Nienburg. Nenad Bach, musician and founder of the PingPongParkinson movement, will also provide musical accompaniment for the event.

To ensure a smooth and speedy entry process, the doors leading to the seating area will open from 5.00 pm. Due to mandatory security checks, we ask all players to use the side entrance (Akademie des Sports car park) with their accreditation. All other support staff, visitors, etc. should please use the main entrance.

To ensure there is sufficient space for all participants, we kindly ask that you avoid bringing bags where possible. If you do bring a bag, please ensure it is no larger than A4 size. Larger sports bags cannot be taken into the seating area during the opening ceremony and must be left in the unattended corridor area.

Following the ceremony, there will be a ‘Chill & Grill’ event in the courtyard of the Akademie des Sports.