Style Challenge

Our themes are deliberately chosen to leave room for personal interpretation. If you’d like, you can use the theme as an excuse to treat yourself to a new favorite piece. However, this is by no means a requirement. Often, a stylish hat, a special accessory, or a single piece of clothing is all it takes to complete your look in keeping with the theme.

The theme serves as a guide for the jury, while still leaving plenty of room for personal style. Maybe the perfect outfit is already waiting in your own closet.

Whether as a participant or a spectator, the Style Challenge creates countless special moments every year and has become one of the most popular events of the Grosse Woche.

The Style Challenge has long since become a staple of the Grosse Woche and is traditionally held on the first Sunday of the meet at the Baden-Baden · Iffezheim racetrack. Year after year, it delights visitors who want to experience race day not only as a sporting event but also as a stylish occasion.

Fashion and horse racing have always gone hand in hand. With the Style Challenge, we build on this tradition and reinterpret it anew each year. Under a different theme each year, we aim to get our guests in the right mood for their visit to the racetrack well in advance and inspire them to explore fashion, style, and the unique atmosphere of a race day.

STYLE GUIDE

If you're still looking for inspiration, we have just the thing for you: our Style Guide.

In it, you’ll find ideas for stylish racetrack looks for women and men, helpful dos and don’ts, inspiration for hats and fascinators, and plenty of tips on how to showcase your personal style.

You'll also learn which accessories are a must at the racetrack, how to put a modern spin on classic racetrack fashion, and what really matters when it comes to making a stylish impression.

Let yourself be inspired, discover new combinations, and find your very own personal look

The Motto

On Sunday, August 30, 2026, starting at 11:00 a.m., the racetrack will become the most stylish gathering place of the summer. Under the theme “Old Money. Your Style. Timeless . Elegant. Individual,” we invite you to reinterpret classic elegance and bring your very own personal look to the racetrack.

What is celebrated today as “old money” has always been part of the world of horse racing. Timeless elegance, stylish understatement, and a keen eye for quality have defined the atmosphere at the major racetracks for generations. Inspired by this way of life, this year’s Style Challenge is themed “Old Money. Your Style.”

Interpret the look in your own unique way. Whether classic, modern, or with a touch of vintage, what’s in demand are individual outfits that exude personality, a sense of style, and attention to detail. The focus isn’t on recreating a trend as perfectly as possible, but rather on a harmonious overall look that bears your own personal touch.

A hat is a traditional part of the racetrack look and adds a special touch to any outfit. Whether it’s an elegant fascinator, a stylish sun hat, or a classic Panama hat, this accessory is not only welcome at the racetrack but also an expression of a long-standing tradition and vibrant racetrack culture.

Style Challenge Partners

11:00 a.m. | Start of the Style Challenge

The Style Challenge begins as soon as the racecourse opens. Starting now, you can participate and show off your look.

How to Participate

You have two options:

Photo Spot in the Gontard Garden
Visit our official photo spot in the Gontard Garden. A professional photo will be taken of you there. Afterward, simply provide your contact information, and you’ll automatically be entered into the contest.

Photo Teams at the Race Track
Our two photo teams will be out and about in the grandstands and throughout the entire race track until the registration deadline. If they spot a particularly great look, they’ll approach you directly, take a photo, and record your contact information.

Registration deadline: 2:15 p.m.

2:45 p.m. | The jury makes its decision

The jury meets in the Gontard Garden to evaluate all participants. The finalists are selected from among all the applicants.

The Finalists

The selected participants will be contacted personally and invited to the Finisher Garden. There, they will meet the jury. This gives the jury the opportunity to see the outfits and get to know the participants in person. We will then accompany the jury and finalists to the weigh-in for the awards ceremony.

Approx. 3:30 p.m. | The awards ceremony

The main stage is first reserved for the finalists, who now have the opportunity to present themselves to the audience. The jury is then introduced, before the suspense reaches its peak. During the official awards ceremony, the winners of the Style Challenge are announced and honored on stage in front of the audience, together with the jury.

Afterward

After the awards ceremony, the official winner photos will be taken. Afterward, we invite all winners to a champagne reception in The Finisher Garden.

The Jury

Who has the best " old money" look? Our star-studded jury will decide.

Désirée Nick
Actress and entertainer with a special flair for elegance, personality, and extraordinary performances.

DR. RICK & DR. NICK
In addition to serving on the judging panel, the founders of Aesthetify present the “Wow Glow” Special Award for exceptional radiance and charisma.

Clea-Lacy
Content creator and entrepreneur with a keen eye for style and harmonious overall looks.

Dschuly
Content creator and long-time jury member with a keen sense for trends, creativity, and details.

Katharina EPPLI
Representative of the EPPLI auction house and expert in high-end fashion, accessories, and timeless elegance.

Baden Galopp
A member of Baden Galopp rounds out the jury and brings the racetrack’s tradition and the character of the Style Challenge into the judging process.

The jury will decide collectively which looks best embody the theme“Old Money. Your Style.”

Prices for 2026

In addition to fame, glory, and a spot in the spotlight, the winners of this year's Style Challenge can also look forward to some very special prizes.

Together with our partners, we have put together attractive prizes in the areas of fashion, beauty, gourmet food and drink, wellness, culture, and experiences.

Curious?
Click on the image to see all the prizes—there, we’ll give you a closer look at each prize and introduce our partners.

It's worth joining in!

Review

Review: Style Challenge from 31.08.2025

"Dress like you're already famous"

Under this theme, our distinguished jury selected the best looks of the “Grosse Woche.” Sylvie Meis (Casino Baden-Baden spokesperson & host) led the jury and, together with her fellow jurors Clea-Lacy and Dschuly (both content creators), selected the winning styles. From elegant silhouettes to bold statement outfits: the participants showed just how glamorous the racetrack atmosphere can be.

The best part: The Style Challenge has once again proven just how perfectly fashion, lifestyle, and horse racing go together, with fantastic moments for the audience, photo opportunities, and plenty of applause for creativity and personality.

Recap: Style Challenge on August 25, 2024

"Summer Glam"

Under this theme, the racetrack was transformed in 2024 into a stage for summer elegance and extraordinary fashion moments. Numerous participants showcased their most beautiful looks, ranging from airy dresses and stylish suits to glamorous hats and bold colors.

With plenty of creativity, personality, and a flair for summer chic, the contestants impressed both the judges and the audience alike.

In our photo gallery, you'll find the best moments from the past two years.