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Munich’s new influencer fees shake up Oktoberfest’s star-studded traditions

A decade-old WiesnBummel tradition faces its first major hurdle. Will Munich’s strict new rules reshape Oktoberfest’s celebrity culture forever?

In this image, we can see a concert. There is a crowd at the bottom of the image. There is a screen...
In this image, we can see a concert. There is a crowd at the bottom of the image. There is a screen on the left and on the right side of the image.

Munich’s new influencer fees shake up Oktoberfest’s star-studded traditions

Cathy Hummels’ annual WiesnBummel at Oktoberfest has become a long-standing tradition after a decade of events. This year, however, the city of Munich introduced a new rule: a licence fee for influencers profiting from promotional activities during the festival. Hummels’ event, now in its tenth edition, reportedly faced a 'very high five-digit' charge for the first time in recent years.

The WiesnBummel has grown into one of Oktoberfest’s most high-profile gatherings, drawing celebrities like rapper Kollegah, actors Jenny Elvers and Nina Bott, as well as TV personalities Simone Ballack and Oliver Pocher. While earlier editions featured a mix of German comedians and moderators, this year’s event highlighted Kollegah as a standout guest.

Munich’s move to charge influencers like Hummels signals a stricter approach to commercial festival foods at Oktoberfest. The city may extend similar fees to other high-profile main event organisers in the coming years. For now, Hummels’ WiesnBummel remains a key part of the festival, blending celebrity appeal with long-standing tradition.

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