House rules

Visitors should be prepared for strict security checks and are therefore requested to arrive in good time. Please also refrain from bringing rucksacks and larger bags (max. A4 size). You cannot be admitted to the event with them!

The house rules determine the rights and obligations of persons during their visit to the RuhrCongress Bochum, the Jahrhunderthalle Bochum, the Stadthalle Wattenscheid and the Freilichtbühne Wattenscheid (hereinafter referred to as the meeting place). The designated meeting places are marketed and operated by Bochumer Veranstaltungs-GmbH (hereinafter referred to as BoVG) for the purpose of holding events.

BoVG and the respective organizer are entitled to restrict access for visitors and participants at events. As a rule, visitors are only admitted to public events on presentation of an admission ticket. In case of events with free admission, the number of visitors is limited according to the number of visitors permitted by building law. The instructions of the designated admission and security staff are to be followed in full. These staff exercise the property rights in the context of the admission and within the meeting place for BoVG and the organizer.

All facilities in the meeting place are to be used carefully and considerately. Within the meeting place, everyone is to behave in such a way that no one else is harmed, endangered or - more than is unavoidable under the circumstances - hindered or inconvenienced. The distribution of printed material and advertising material outside of approved stands as well as the affixing of stickers and posters without the prior written permission of BoVG is prohibited.

Smoking is prohibited in the meeting place; this also applies to e-cigarettes. The corresponding instructions are to be observed.

The closure of rooms and areas and their evacuation may be ordered for safety reasons. All persons in the building and on the premises are required to comply with the corresponding requests without delay and, in case of an evacuation order, leave the meeting place immediately.

Bags, containers and clothing brought with you may be checked for their contents. Visitors who do not consent to the seizure of objects which could endanger the event or visitors by the inspection or security staff will be excluded from the event. The visitors who are turned away are not entitled to a refund of the admission fee. Depending on the nature of the event, it may be prohibited to bring bags and similar containers into the event. It is not permitted to bring bags and containers exceeding A4 size into the event facilities.

Cloakroom: at public events, there is a general obligation to hand in your outer garments (coats, jackets, capes), including any umbrellas and rucksacks you may have with you. Visitors are requested not to leave objects such as ID cards, credit cards, cash, keys, mobile phones as well as valuables, jewellery, etc. in the cloakroom items. The visitor bears the risk of loss or damage to all items left in the cloakroom items. This also expressly applies if they are left in cloakroom items such as bags, rucksacks, etc. Any liability of BoVG for this is excluded.

Persons who are recognizably under the influence of alcohol or drugs may be excluded from the event. The visitors who are turned away are not entitled to a refund of the admission fee.

The provisions of the Youth Protection Act (Jugendschutzgesetz) apply. Special regulations only apply if expressly displayed at the ticket offices and in the admission areas.

You are not permitted to bring the following items with you when entering the meeting place:

• racist, xenophobic and radical propaganda material,
• weapons including “protective weapons” in accordance with Section 17a of the German Public Meetings Act (VersammlG) as well as corrosive or colouring substances and hazardous materials of any kind,
• fireworks, rockets, Bengal fireworks, smoke powder, sparklers, flares and other pyrotechnic items,
• mechanically and electrically operated instruments for generating noise,
• containers made of breakable or splinterable material, as well as any drinks or food brought with you,
• sound or image recording devices for the purpose of commercial use, without the permission of the organizer,
• animals, with the exception of guide dogs,
• rucksacks and larger bags (maximum size allowed is A4).

Right to our own images: if photographs, film and/or video recordings are produced in the area of the meeting place by employees of BoVG, by the organizer or by commissioned companies for reporting or advertising purposes, the recording must not be hindered or in any other way impaired. All persons who enter or attend the meeting place should expect corresponding photo, film and video recordings and their publication.

Sound levels at music events: to reduce the risk of harm at music events due to sound levels, the use of hearing protectors is particularly recommended. On request, visitors are provided with earplugs at the cloakrooms if increased noise levels are expected at the event. For health and safety reasons, young children up to 6 years of age are not admitted to musical performances where high sound pressure levels (volume) are to be expected.

Bans from the premises apply to all current and future events held at the meeting place. For a ban to be lifted, a written request with reasons is required, which the BoVG then decides on within three months.

Last updated: August 2019