Bankruptcy in Uelzen: Open R Festival 2026 canceled – what now?

Bankruptcy in Uelzen: Open R Festival 2026 canceled – what now?

Disappointing news for music fans and festival visitors has just arrived from Uelzen: Neue Töpfen Veranstaltungs GmbH, which is responsible for the popular Open R Festival, has filed for bankruptcy. The insolvency application was filed last Thursday at the Uelzen district court AZ Online reported. Managing director Ulrich Gustävel is responsible as the sole shareholder of the GmbH, which has struggled with economic difficulties during the pandemic since it was founded in February 2022.

The cancellation of the Open R Festival, which was scheduled for August 21-23, 2026, hits many hard. Gustävel confirmed the unexpected decision in an interview with the Allgemeine Zeitung Uelzen. The GmbH's financial problems are due to increased costs and inadequate ticket sales. In 2025 it was not possible to pay all bills due to fewer tickets sold. The organizer has had to accept significant losses in recent years, which led to this drastic measure. Expenses for technology and artists' fees have risen sharply, which is putting additional strain on the situation: the costs for sound and light, for example, have increased from 125,000 euros in 2022 to 235,000 euros in 2025.

Background to the bankruptcy

Gustävel had developed a restructuring plan, but it could not be implemented because the creditors did not agree. The insolvency also has an impact on the Jabelmann event hall on Esschemannstrasse, which, however, is not directly affected. The managing director admitted that personal reasons also played a role in the cancellation of the festival, as he was looking for a break after 15 years.

The 16th edition of the festival was supposed to be a big event, but now all that remains is to look to the future. Gustävel plans to return the festival in 2027, with new partners and a revised concept being launched. The Albrecht Thaer site will remain the venue and the name “Open R” will also be retained. The aim is to spread future editions across several shoulders and to use synergies so that the festival can continue to exist.

A look at the bankruptcy landscape

The current situation is not unique. The number of bankruptcies has increased significantly in recent years, a circumstance that is partly due to the consequences of the corona pandemic and the associated economic challenges. According to reports from the Federal Statistical Office, there was a significant increase in insolvencies during the Corona crisis from January 2020, which also affected many small and medium-sized companies in northern Germany, which makes the current situation of Neuen Töpfe Veranstaltungs GmbH appear even sadder.

Fans of the Open R Festival now have to wait for the new plans and hope that the restart will be successful in 2027. During this time, everyone keeps their fingers crossed and hopes to see each other again with live music and a party mood.