Three FEI World Cups. Three Belgian victories. What began last year as a promising edition of Jumping Mechelen turned into a historic moment for the Memorial Eric Wauters. From the first jump to the final finish: the Belgian riders dominated the World Cups. And if you look closely, you’ll see that this memorable edition is still echoing this year.
A new chapter is set to begin at Jumping Mechelen. Between Christmas and New Year, riders, horses and horse enthusiasts will once again gather at the Nekkerhal for five days of top-level sport, spectacular entertainment and cherished traditions. The poster for this edition certainly pays tribute to last year’s unforgettable Belgian success. But will the Belgian colours once again fly high on the podium? That story is yet to be written.
Trusted traditions with some new twists: that is the recipe for the upcoming edition of the Jumping Mechelen. Alongside the established highlights that attract thousands of enthusiasts to the Nekkerhal every year, the programme also features some new touches. Jumping Mechelen continues to build on what made it so successful, while looking ahead to what the future may have in store. One thing is certain: from 26 to 30 December, there will once again be plenty to discover in Mechelen.
JM Kids Day and JM Feest kick off the festivities!
On 26 December, the Nekkerhal will welcome a new edition of Jumping Mechelen. As is tradition, the opening day is devoted to the JM Kids Day, a festive family day on which children and their parents and grandparents can enjoy horses, entertainment and activities from morning until evening. In the main arena, they can enjoy, amongst many other attractions, a spectacular show by the French equestrian artist Mélie Philippot. Combining her background in both equestrian sport and the circus, she brings together elegance, acrobatics, humour and a special bond with her horses. Also, the Mini Steeple Chase is an absolute crowd favourite, and these brave young riders and their ponies will once again be taking the Christmas Arena by storm!
One of the day’s absolute highlights will undoubtedly be the #LikeMe On Tour live show. Following last year’s huge success, the popular cast returns to Jumping Mechelen for a new, spectacular show. With their catchy music, uplifting energy and a great atmosphere, #LikeMe On Tour promises once again to be a highlight eagerly looked forward to by the youngest visitors. Other crowd favourites are also returning. This year, the dog show is taking it a step further, moving from a demonstration to a competition, which will add extra excitement and spectacle. The Family Jump & Run also promises to be a blast, with well-known riders/fathers competing against each other alongside their children. Mechelen’s crowd favourite Niels Bruynseels will be taking part as well!
As the sun goes down, JM Kids Day gives way to the week’s first evening programme. The Battle of the Champions, which attracted a large number of interested spectators last year, is back on the programme. The participants will be announced later, but one thing is for sure: excitement and surprises are in store once again. In addition, the Belgian Indoor Championship is another highlight, a favourite in the programme that guarantees thrilling show jumping every year.
The first day will round off with the party JM Feest! The Party Trooperz are set to get the central square in the Nekkerhal shaking for the first time, with banging beats and a buzzing atmosphere keeping the crowd dancing late into the night.
Breeding and top-level sport hand in hand on day two
On the 27th of December, the focus traditionally shifts to breeding. In the expanded New Year Arena young talents take centre stage during the loose jumping final, whilst the stallion classes also feature prominently in the programme. These include the prestigious Léon Melchior Sires of the World, a thrilling jump-off in which the world’s best stallions battle it out for victory.
The world’s top-ranked riders will also have their moment in the spotlight that day. The BMW Masters, one of the most spectacular show jumping classes at Jumping Mechelen, is on the schedule. The riders compete on the same course over several rounds, with the fences being raised gradually each time. This creates a competition where the tension literally rises with every round!Zo brengt de tweede dag het beste van twee werelden samen: de fokkerij die de toekomst voorbereidt en topsport die het publiek vandaag al op het puntje van zijn stoel houdt.
Where elegance and adrenaline come together
After a weekend full of spectacle, Jumping Mechelen turns the page on Monday the 28th of December to welcome the dressage stars. The FEI Dressage World Cup Grand Prix is the high point of the day’s action and brings the world’s top dressage riders to the Nekkerhal. There’s plenty to enjoy in the evening too. The KBC Bank & Verzekering Prize and the Fancy Dress show class will provide a blend of sport and excitement.
The latter will once again feature last year’s successful ‘Swingpaleis’ concept: dressing up, singing along and, above all, swinging together to the biggest hits, with the arena turning into a dance floor.
On Tuesday the 29 of December, the dressage festivities continue with the FEI Dressage World Cup Freestyle, another of the events’ highlights. But Tuesday brings even more FEI World Cups to Mechelen, as the FEI Driving World Cup also gets underway. On Tuesday, the four-in-hand drivers will compete in their first test of strength at the Nekkerhal, promising spectacle, speed and high-level excitement. As if that weren’t enough, the CSI5* Sport Vlaanderen Grand Prix awaits in the evening, a nerve-wracking jump-off competition over 1.55m obstacles. This will serve as the final test before the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup presented by BMW takes centre stage on the final day.
The culmination: the world’s greatest and the next generation battle for ultimate honours
On 30 December, Jumping Mechelen reaches its climax. The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup presented by BMW is the undisputed sporting highlight and also one of the most important occasions of the entire week. In the Nekkerhal, international stars and Belgian crowd favourites will compete for precious World Cup points and the prestigious victory in Mechelen.
Before the world’s top senior riders take over the arena, there is another major final on the programme. The FEI Jumping Ponies’ Trophy is a highly renowned international competition in which the best pony riders go head to head. The final of this prestigious circuit returns to the Nekkerhal, promising to be a special moment, with excitement, emotion and possibly the first major step towards a future career amongst the sport’s greats.
As the evening falls, it is once again time for the FEI Driving World Cup. The world’s finest four-in-hand drivers will compete against one another in a spectacular contest full of speed, precision and adrenaline. It promises to be a fitting finale to five days celebrating the very best of equestrian sport!
Practical information
- Jumping Mechelen 2026: 26 untill 30 december, Nekkerhal Mechelen
- Full programme: www.jumping-mechelen.com/programme/
- Start verkoop voordeeltickets JM Kids Day en JM Feest: 28 september 2026 via de diverse partners – Hou de socials in de gaten om hiervan op de hoogte te blijven!
Start of general ticket sales: 28 September 2026 via www.jumping-mechelen.com
