Freiheitshalle Hof | Events & Tickets 2025

The Freiheitshalle Hof is the largest and most versatile event hall in the Upper Franconia region, attracting several hundred thousand visitors each year with around 250 events. Located centrally on Kulmbacher Straße, opposite the Theater Hof and near the pedestrian zone, the venue offers excellent accessibility along with flexible space concepts. The centerpiece is the Great Hall, which can accommodate up to 6,100 visitors at full capacity and is used for concerts, shows, trade fairs, exhibitions, sports highlights, and TV productions. It is complemented by the Festsaal, which has up to 760 seats, as well as spacious foyer and conference areas. Modern event technology, clear sightlines, practical seating plans, and a logistical layout with a loading dock and outdoor event space make the hall attractive for organizers. For guests, the uncomplicated access via highways and public transport, as well as the many parking options directly at the Volksfestplatz, are particularly important. Those looking to experience culture in Hof will find a stage that is both large and approachable.

Events and Program 2025: Concerts, Shows, Trade Fairs, and More

The event spectrum of the Freiheitshalle Hof is intentionally broad, as the hall is designed as a multifunctional center. In the Great Hall, the formats are particularly variable: with unseated standing concerts, row seating for classical evenings, shows or comedy, banquet seating for galas and award ceremonies, as well as trade fair setups for exhibitions and industry events. The Festsaal complements this profile for concerts in a more intimate setting, high-quality readings, dance and theater evenings, or representative receptions. The official event calendar is continuously updated and reflects the dates of various organizers, as the Freiheitshalle itself rents out the spaces while booking, ticketing, and execution are in the hands of the respective event partners. Thus, you will find not only large tour productions of national and international acts but also regional highlights from orchestras, clubs, and institutions, conferences, job and training fairs, or seasonal formats. It is convenient that the program can be sorted by days, categories, and special filters, allowing you to quickly see what is happening today in Hof or which events are coming up soon. Recent history also shows that the Freiheitshalle is often the venue for special projects that generate attention in Hof and beyond. An example is thematic concert and theater productions with a social agenda that utilize the space concept and engage the hall in unusual ways. Additionally, photo and art exhibitions in the building suggest that the hall functions as a cultural meeting point, not just as a stage for evening shows. From a visitor's perspective, this means: You can expect a lively mix of entertainment, culture, and information, with changing seating plans, clearly marked entrances, and service points on-site. Since there is no central ticket sales for the hall, the path to tickets and detailed information always goes through the respective organizer as well as the known advance sales points. The chance of getting tickets even at short notice is often good due to this distribution, especially when multiple ticket channels are active.

Buying Tickets: Advance Sales, Eventim, and Local Points of Contact

The Freiheitshalle Hof does not sell tickets through its administrative office. Instead, the respective organizers handle ticketing. For you as a visitor, this is straightforward, as you can purchase tickets through established advance sales channels, both online and offline. Online, Eventim is the most important channel, where many dates for the Freiheitshalle are listed. Additionally, there are local advance sales points with personal advice, including the TicketShop of the Frankenpost on Poststraße in Hof and the Freie-Presse-Shop in Plauen. This variety ensures that you can choose between digital instant purchase, telephone orders, or personal counter sales, depending on your preference. For specific questions regarding discounts, wheelchair spaces, entry times, age ratings, or VIP offers, the respective organizer is the right contact, as they define the conditions and arrange the seating. The provided standard seating plans for the Great Hall and Festsaal are very helpful as orientation tools. They show the parquet areas A to E as well as the associated balcony and tier areas, allowing you to better assess your seats. An important note from the hall regarding certain tiers: In blocks K, L, M, N, P, and R, row 1 is not elevated but positioned as an additional row at ground level in front of the actual tiers. This information is particularly useful if you are looking for a slightly elevated view and would prefer to book from row 2 or higher. Deviations in the seating plan are possible depending on the production, for example, if a larger stage, a front-of-house tower, or special camera and lighting technology is set up. For standing concerts, seat numbering is omitted, but entry times and access points are clearly marked. Tip for bargain hunters and last-minute attendees: Local advance sales points often know about ticket availability and can inform you if good seats have become available at short notice, for example, due to returns. Those needing accessible seats should inquire early, as these are limited depending on the seating arrangement.

Parking and Access: Highway Connections, Volksfestplatz, and Public Transport

Access to the Freiheitshalle is exceptionally easy thanks to its location and infrastructure. Hof has direct access points to three highways: the A9 to the west, the A93 to the east, and the A72 to the northwest. Within the city, the Freiheitshalle is centrally located at the main intersection of Ernst-Reuter-Straße and Kulmbacher Straße, just minutes from the pedestrian zone and not far from the train station. Directly at the main entrance is the spacious Volksfestplatz, which serves as a visitor parking lot and, due to its large area, also offers enough parking spaces during high-traffic events. Additionally, there are surrounding parking options, including designated disabled parking spaces near the main access. For productions, there are separate delivery zones with power connections and a loading dock accessible via Nailaer Straße. This separation of visitor and production traffic ensures a smooth operation on event day. Those arriving by train benefit from the proximity to the Hof-Neuhof station, which is located directly opposite the Freiheitshalle and served by Agilis trains. The travel time from the main train station to there is only a few minutes, with hourly service on weekdays and regular service from the morning on weekends. For local distribution within the city, several city bus lines are connected. Line 5 first takes you to the central bus station, from where lines 1, 2, and 11 provide a direct connection to the Freiheitshalle stop. Those coming from further away can plan their route with the long-distance and regional connections of DB Regio. Visitor information from the city of Hof also provides overviews of additional parking areas in the city center. It is practical that the signage around the hall is clear, making it easy to identify access points and parking zones. For events with open-air areas or significant technical requirements, parts of the Volksfestplatz are cordoned off to provide parking spaces for trucks, containers, and OB vans. In case of construction or special situations, the hall provides its own visitor notices about alternative parking areas in the vicinity, allowing you to divert in time. Those opting for sustainable travel can combine train and bus, as both Hof-Neuhof and the Freiheitshalle stop are located directly on the premises, the distances are short, and the entry is barrier-free.

Seating Plan, Seats, and Capacities: Overview of the Great Hall and Festsaal

The Great Hall is designed as a multifunctional venue with 2,429 square meters of event space. Unseated, it can accommodate up to 6,100 visitors, with row seating up to 3,478, banquet seating up to 1,434, and parliamentary seating up to 936. In its smaller configuration, the hall offers 1,176 square meters and capacities of up to 3,050 unseated or 1,730 in row seating. Additionally, there is a foyer with a total of 1,376 square meters, a large portion of which can be used flexibly depending on the event, for example, for cloakrooms, gastronomy, presentation stands, or VIP areas. The Festsaal, with 812 square meters including a balcony, accommodates up to 760 guests in row seating, and banquet and parliamentary setups are also possible. The seating plans detail the parquet areas A to E as well as the associated balcony and tier areas. An important note concerns the tiers K, L, M, N, P, and R, where row 1 is positioned at ground level and therefore not elevated. When choosing seats, it is worth considering the sightlines to the stage and potential technical areas. For concerts with a front-of-house tower in the center of the hall, seats slightly offset behind the mixing position are often the better choice, as the view remains unobstructed. For comedy and spoken word events, middle rows on the rising tiers are popular, as they offer a balanced mix of proximity to the stage and overview. Those who prefer quick access should choose seats near the side entrances; those who prioritize sound should orient themselves along the main axis, where the sound is usually the most even. Accessible seats and companion seats are designated depending on the production. For family programs, children's concerts, or afternoon events, it is advisable to choose rows with a short distance to the entrances to shorten the walk during breaks. For organizers, it is important that seating variations and hall sizes can be adjusted to the production, making the Freiheitshalle suitable for a wide range of event formats.

History and Special Features: From 1936 to the Reopening in 2012

The history of the Freiheitshalle reflects the development of the city of Hof as a cultural and event location. The first festival hall was built in 1936 at the Volksfestplatz and was named Freiheitshalle after World War II. In the 1970s, the hall was repurposed into a sports hall in the second construction phase, further diversifying its use. After more than 35 years of operation, the hall closed in 2009 for a comprehensive renovation and expansion through a partial new construction. With its reopening in September 2012, a new era began, characterized by modernized technology, optimized logistics, and clear architecture. A symbolic opening event was the tour start of a nationally prominent artist, highlighting the regional significance of the venue. Since then, the Freiheitshalle has been regarded as the largest event hall in the region, averaging around 250 events per year with over 300,000 guests. A significant feature is the blue-lit roof, which is widely visible at dusk and shapes the cultural mile of the city of Hof, flanked by the theater with glass architecture and the KlangManufaktur. Notably, the acoustic and organizational separation of the halls allows events to take place simultaneously in the Great Hall and the Festsaal without disturbing each other. The recent city chronicle also shows how technical and structural details are continuously reviewed and optimized, for example, regarding facade elements. Overall, the hall represents an approach that combines historical roots with modern functionality. For visitors, this creates a special atmosphere where large tour productions find their place alongside regional culture, conferences, and special formats that perceive the architecture as an experiential space.

Facilities and Spaces for Organizers: Technology, Areas, Logistics

Those planning a production will find a clearly structured range of spaces at the Freiheitshalle Hof with reliable metrics. The core is the Great Hall with its variable seating arrangements, a large, ground-level event space, and the possibility to configure stages differently. The foyer of the Great Hall offers an additional 1,376 square meters, a significant portion of which can be freely utilized depending on the event, for example, for hospitality, merchandising, sponsor stands, or registration. The Festsaal, with 812 square meters including a balcony, is a standalone, high-quality hall, ideal for seated concerts, gala evenings, and lectures. Additionally, there is a conference area with several rooms ranging from about 100 to 261 square meters, suitable for breakout sessions, workshops, press conferences, or VIP receptions. In the outdoor area, there is a technical delivery zone with power connections, a loading dock, and an outdoor event area in close proximity to the Great Hall, for example, for OB vans. Access for tour buses, nightliners, and trucks is via Nailaer Straße, where a signposted access for deliveries and registration at the technical gate is provided. For guests, the clearly separated paths between visitor and production areas improve safety and flow on event day. The city location at a major intersection, proximity to the train station, and direct public transport connections reduce travel times and facilitate crew handling. Hotels within walking distance and the gastronomic infrastructure in the city center enhance the quality of stay. For organizers, the standardized download plans for seating arrangements and hall dimensions are also important, as they facilitate planning and safety aspects. The combination of large maximum capacity, reducible hall capacity, separate foyers, and additional conference rooms makes the Freiheitshalle a setup that can accommodate both arena-like formats and high-quality business events.

Services for Families, Accessibility, and Visitor Experience

An evening at the Freiheitshalle Hof is intended to be not only grand but also comfortable. For families with children, clear pathways, well-visible signage, and sufficient waiting areas in the foyer are helpful, especially during afternoon concerts, family, and show formats. Child-friendly services depend on the respective organizer, such as special entry rules or discounts, so it is worth checking the event information. The central location with short distances to the city center makes it easy to combine an event with a city stroll. Accessible parking spaces are designated at the main entrance, and access via public transport is facilitated by the stops located directly on the premises. Wheelchair spaces are designated depending on the seating arrangement and can be booked through the advance sales channels. For guests who value quick orientation, the seating plans and overview maps are useful as they depict entrances, blocks, and rows, thus shortening the paths to seats. Gastronomic offerings vary depending on the size of the event, ranging from mobile stands in the foyer to more extensive catering at galas or trade fairs. Designated outdoor areas for smokers are common, ensuring that the hall operations are not disturbed. Those arriving by car will usually find sufficient parking space at the Volksfestplatz. For large productions or concurrently occurring events, it is advisable to arrive a bit earlier to utilize the shortest paths to the entrances. The security and entry management is organized by the respective organizers, who label the hall according to requirements and provide personnel. The overall impression from many visitor reports is that the location feels large yet manageable once the layout is understood. This is especially true for first-time visitors, who realize after a few minutes how the areas interact. Thus, a visit experience is created that is both impressive and practical, typical of a modern multipurpose hall with a clear structure.

Sources:

• Freiheitshalle Hof – Ticket Service and Seating Plans
• Freiheitshalle Hof – Downloadable Seating Plans
• Freiheitshalle Hof – Access and Parking for Visitors
• Freiheitshalle Hof – Rooms and Capacities
• City of Hof – Freiheitshalle Profile and History
• City of Hof – Facade of Freiheitshalle, Announcement from 23.08.2024
• Bavarian State Newspaper – Major Renovation of the Freiheitshalle, 12.10.2012