Official Event Schedule
Wednesday 3rd September 2025
| Time | Event | Location |
| 18:00 – 19:00 | Check in for officials and crews | To be announced |
Thursday 4th September 2025
| 08:00 – 20:00 | Filling sandbags | Launch site Frescaty-Metz |
| 10:00 – 14:00 | Check-in for crews | Hôtel Best Western – Metz Technopole |
| 15:00 – 17:00 | General Briefing (crews only) | Centre Pompidou, Metz |
| 17:00 – 18:00 | Free visit (crews & officials) | Museum Pompidou, Metz |
| 18:00 – 20:00 | Opening Ceremony and welcome party | Centre Pompidou, Metz |
Friday 5th September 2025
| 08:00 | Opening launchsite | Launch site Frescaty-Metz |
| 09:00 | Balloons ready for inflation | Launch site Frescaty-Metz |
| 16:30 | Opening to the public | Launch site Frescaty-Metz |
| 17:00 | Evolution of an airship around the field | Launch site Frescaty-Metz |
| 17:30 | Evolution of a second airship around the field | Launch site Frescaty-Metz |
| 18:00 | Takeoff of the first balloon outside of competition (Westfalen balloon) | Launch site Frescaty-Metz |
| 19:00 | Takeoff of the first competition balloon, followed every 3 minutes by another balloon | Launch site Frescaty-Metz |
| 20:30 | Takeoff of two balloons outside of competition | Launch site Frescaty-Metz |
| 21:00 | Night glow of hot air balloon | Launch site Frescaty-Metz |
| 21:30 | Drone show | Launch site Frescaty-Metz |
| 22:00 | Free concert “The Runners” | Launch site Frescaty-Metz |
Saturday 6th September 2025
Alternative date for launch of the Gordon Bennett competitors
Sunday 7th September 2025
Alternative date for launch of the Gordon Bennett competitors
Monday 8th September 2025
09:00 End of launch window
Friday 12th September 2025
| 19:00 | Welcome back party (subject to invitation) | Plan d’eau Metz |
Saturday 13th September 2025
| 19:00 | Closing Ceremony and banquet (subject to invitation) | Metz Town Hall |
All times are local.
Schedule is subject to changes, you will be informed in due time.
(The events are open to the public but ceremonies are subject to invitation).
