When the campus becomes a beach oasis

Every two years, an extraordinary beach landscape is created in the roundabout of the University of Bayreuth, attracting students and many Bayreuth residents alike. From 13 to 26 June, the summer feeling with its 800 tonnes of sand invites you to take off your shoes, sink into a deckchair and switch off for a moment between lectures or work. Two years ago, around 35,000 visitors came to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. 

The beach feeling is complemented by a varied programme with broadcasts of the German national football team's group matches at the World Cup and theme days such as Sustainability Day and Children's and Family Day. In addition, the UBT is hosting two German University Championships during this period: in beach soccer and beach volleyball. The sporting event is complemented by tournaments in roundnet, beach volleyball and beach soccer, which are open to all students. "The special thing is the atmosphere in the middle of the campus. You can go to the beach right after class and relax there or follow the programme," says Marc Neubauer from the organising team. It is precisely this unusual setting that gives the summer feeling its special character.

A project by students – for students

The fact that Summerfeeling runs so smoothly is the result of months of work by a team of around 50 people, organised as part of a seminar. The main organisers had been planning since January 2025, the department heads joined in August, and the seminar started in the winter semester. Marc Neubauer is responsible for marketing and PR and brings experience from previous event projects, in line with his master's degree in media culture and media management. "I just really enjoy organising events. At Summerfeeling, we can also let our creativity run wild. And, of course, we try to outdo the last event," he says. 

However, before the first deckchairs are set up, the project requires intensive background work: team communication, project planning, programme coordination, sponsorship, infrastructure – and, last but not least, the logistical challenge of setting up an entire beach on campus. The teams work closely together, using project management and communication tools and developing their own website in the university's CMS. "Setting up the entire structure was a huge task. You learn an incredible amount about how important clear communication and team dynamics are," says Neubauer.

But it's not just visitors who experience the summer feeling as the highlight of the summer semester. It's also a special project for the organising team; a mixture of challenge, learning experience and community spirit. When everything is finally ready in June and the first guests walk barefoot through the roundabout, it becomes clear that the months of preparation have been worth it. 

For two weeks, the campus becomes a place where learning, encounters and summer cheer come together – supported by students who put their heart and soul into giving the university and the city an unforgettable experience. This is exactly what makes the summer feeling at the university beach an integral part of Bayreuth's summer culture.

For more information see: 

https://www.summerfeeling.uni-bayreuth.de/en/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summerfeelingbayreuth/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SummerFeelingUBT

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/summer-feeling-bayreuth/