‘Dänz like Pänz’ – The fifth season is in full swing, and while the Jecken are already getting in the mood with numerous sessions, the popular carnival highlight ‘Pänz-Pokal’ is also taking place again at Köln Hauptbahnhof.
The Pänz-Pokal has a long tradition and is a competition for up-and-coming talent in guard dancing. From 29 January to 2 February 2024, a total of 30 children's and youth dance groups will transform Köln Hauptbahnhof into a carnival stronghold for a week. The grand finale will take place on 5 February.
Visitors can marvel at the performances of the skilled young dancers for a week. They can also experience a journey through the history of the Pänz-Pokal in the C-Passage of Köln Hauptbahnhof, including the chance to win attractive prizes. Almost 1,000 Pänz clubs from Köln and the surrounding area are taking part in the event this session – a new record number of participants for the LIVE event on the final day.
Colorful anniversary program at the train station
During the cup, a total of six clubs will be performing the guard dances they have rehearsed for months to the spectators every day between 5 and 7 pm. After the welcome and opening on 29 January from 4.50 pm, ‘De Pänz vum Rhing’ of the TG Kölner Rheinveilchen will start with the first dance of this year's Pänz-Pokal. This year’s event will be hosted by the Pänz from the children's and youth dance group EHRENGARDE der Stadt Köln, who will also be on stage on Tuesday.
Fans will also be able to follow the highlights of the day on the Instagram channel ‘@paenzpokal_official’ and to take part in various competitions.
Big prize announcement on the final day
The final of the Pänz-Pokal will take place on 5 February, one week before Rose Monday. A total of ten winning clubs will be drawn and chosen: five daily favourites of the entire week, which will be voted for by the audience on the Instagram page and five other dance groups. The first three lucky winners will also present their choreographies once again at the grand finale. This year’s prizes include 50 tickets for the DB Regio grandstand at the Schull- und Veedelszöch for the winner. Further tickets for this will be drawn on social media among all participants who take part in the voting for the day's favourites and comment on the respective posts on Instagram or Facebook.
This year, the Pänz-Pokal will once again be supported by many stores in Cologne’s shopping district and the campaign will be accompanied by special Pänz-Pokal products and attractive discounts. The stores participating include Kamps, Ida & Frida, Früh Kölsch and Meisterbock.
Further information about the campaign, the clubs and dates can be found online on the Pänz-Pokal website or on Instagram and Facebook on the @paenzpokal_official profile.