Armbrustschützenzelt
Paulaner
The Armbrustschützenzelt seats 5,830 indoors plus 1,600 in the beer garden at Oktoberfest 2026. It has been at the festival since 1895 and is home to the German national crossbow shooting competition (Deutsche Armbrustschützen Meisterschaft) — the only sporting competition held inside an Oktoberfest tent. Paulaner beer is around €15 per Maß. Reservations include two Maß plus a meal voucher. The atmosphere is traditional brass-band Bavarian.
Updated 11 May 2026
11 date/session slots available
Home of the crossbow competition, this traditional tent has been part of Oktoberfest since 1895. Known for its authentic Bavarian atmosphere.
Music: Traditional brass band
Closes: 22:30
Capacity
7,430 seats
Indoor: 5,830
Beer garden: 1,600
How to Book
Book NowWhat it's actually like
The Armbrustschützenzelt is one of the more historically distinct tents on the Wiesn — the German national crossbow shooting competition has been held inside this tent since 1895, making it the only Oktoberfest tent with an active sporting tradition. The shooting takes place at the rear of the tent during the festival, and you can watch it from the booked tables (it is part of the experience, not a separate event). Atmosphere-wise it is mid-traditional: Paulaner beer, brass-band Blasmusik, a crowd that skews older and more family-oriented than Hofbräu or Hacker, less crowded than the Münchner-favourite Augustiner. The trade-off is that the tent does not have a strong night-time party identity — it is a daytime and early-evening tent, not a late-night sing-along destination.
Best for
- ✓Traditional families and older crowd
- ✓Sports / crossbow shooting enthusiasts
- ✓Daytime and early-evening sittings
- ✓Easier reservations than top-tier tents
Avoid if
- ✗You want a late-evening party atmosphere
- ✗You want a unique culinary angle
Available Dates
11 dates with availabilityLast checked: 28m ago
Reservation Sessions
| Session | Time | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | 10:00–15:00 | Mon–Fri | — |
| Afternoon | 15:00–18:00 | Mon–Fri | — |
| Evening | 18:00–22:30 | Mon–Sat | — |
| Weekend Full Day | 10:00–22:30 | Sat–Sun & holidays | — |
Typical Menu
Prices are approximate and based on previous years. Final 2026 prices will be confirmed closer to the festival.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there a crossbow competition inside Armbrustschützenzelt?▼
The German national crossbow shooting competition (Deutsche Armbrustschützen Meisterschaft) has been held inside this tent at Oktoberfest since 1895 — it is the only sporting competition that takes place inside an Oktoberfest tent. The shooting runs at the rear of the tent during the 16 days of the festival.
Can I watch the crossbow shooting from a regular reservation?▼
Yes — the shooting takes place at the rear of the tent and is visible from most table reservations. It is part of the tent's ambience rather than a separate ticketed event.
How much does an Armbrustschützenzelt reservation cost?▼
A table of 10 costs roughly €350–€520 per session. Paulaner beer is around €15 per Maß. Each guest receives two Maß plus a food voucher. Reservations are noticeably easier to land than Augustiner or Hofbräu.
Is Armbrustschützenzelt family-friendly?▼
Yes — it is one of the more family-friendly large tents, especially for daytime and afternoon sittings. The crowd skews older and the atmosphere is calmer than Hofbräu or Hacker. Lunch on weekdays is the most family-friendly window.
Can I get into Armbrustschützenzelt without a reservation?▼
Yes — the 1,600-seat beer garden is first-come, first-served. Walk-in entry is reliable on weekday lunch and afternoon; weekend evenings are harder but still more accessible than the top-tier tents.
How do I book Armbrustschützenzelt for 2026?▼
Reservations open in January at reservierung.armbrustschuetzenzelt.de. Compared to other large tents, Armbrustschützenzelt reservations remain available later into the spring.