For the first time in its 68-year history, the traditional Four Hills Tournament of ski jumpers will take place in front of empty stands. On Monday, the organizing committee at the opening jumping in Oberstdorf also announced that it would no longer be able to keep to its original plans with 2,500 spectators per day of the event (December 28 and 29).

At the latest after the latest lock-down tightening for Bavaria with a general ban on spectators for professional sports events until at least 20 December, the organizing committee now had no chance. "In view of the continuing high infection rates in Bavaria and the current decisions of the State Government, we simply have to assume that these restrictions will continue to apply after Christmas. An early adjustment is not foreseeable. As a result, we completely lack planning security and thus the basis for an event with spectators. It's a pity, because we as the organizing committee have really done everything possible to be able to hold the opening jumping with a limited number of spectators", explains Florian Stern, the managing director of Skisport- und Veranstaltungs GmbH and secretary general of the opening jumping in Oberstdorf.
The demand for tickets in advance was huge, the 2,500 tickets for the competition day were gone within an hour, and more than 2,000 tickets for the qualification had already been sold. As promised, the ticket holders will now receive a refund. "This will be done automatically via the respective advance booking office. We are asking ski jump fans to be a little patient here," says Stern. Already weeks ago, the tour partners in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Innsbruck and Bischofshofen had announced their plans without spectators.