Oktoberfest closes with a record 7.4 million visitors in Munich

As the Theresienwiese cleared on 1 October 2026 after the final weekend, Munich city officials and festival organisers released preliminary figures showing that the 2026 Oktoberfest had drawn a record 7.4 million visitors over its 16 days, surpassing the previous high of 7.2 million set in 2023 and far above 2025's 6.5 million. Guests downed roughly 6.7 million one-litre mugs of beer, and 447,000 attended the historical Oide Wiesn section recreating the festival's traditional atmosphere. Warm weather, stronger weekday turnout and a surge in international bookings drove the record; short-term rental data showed Munich flats charging higher nightly rates despite slower initial bookings. The festival ran without major security incidents, and tourism officials in Bavaria used the close to highlight sustainability improvements, including waste-reduction and water-saving measures in the beer tents. For world travel desks the story landed as a feel-good counterweight to the week's aviation incidents and overtourism headlines, and dominated most-clicked lists on German and European travel sites.