Bavaria’s outdoor pools draw record crowds but deepen losses

Outdoor swimming pools across Bavaria are reporting record visitor numbers during the hot summer of 2026, but higher attendance has also brought increased staffing, cleaning and operating costs, BR reports.

At the outdoor pool in Karlstadt, in the Main-Spessart district of Lower Franconia, visitor numbers are approaching the previous seasonal record of about 130,000. On late-summer days, the pool is filled with swimmers seeking relief from the heat.

For pool manager Steffen Banowski, a full facility means both enjoyment and pressure. Staff must remain alert at the pool and ensure that visitors follow the rules. During the busiest periods, several thousand people arrive each week, requiring constant supervision.

Christoph Fluhrer, head of operations at the Karlstadt municipal utilities, described the season as very successful. The pool is a showcase for the town of about 15,000 people, but it is also operating at a loss. More visitors bring in more revenue, while also increasing the need for materials, cleaning and staff. “You do not automatically become rich with many visitors,” Fluhrer told BR.

Other municipalities report similar experiences. Michaela Franke, manager of the Hof municipal pools and an active member of the German Society for the Bathing Industry, said a public pool could not generate a large profit. Filters must be rinsed every day, using energy and water, and staff often remain at work until 10 or 11 p.m. to prepare the facility for the following day.

The hot summer has increased visitor numbers in larger cities as well. Nuremberg recorded 282,278 visitors at its outdoor pools by early September, nearly 90,000 more than the previous year. Augsburg counted about 230,000 visitors by mid-August, more than 40,000 above the same period in 2025. At Regensburg’s Westbad, attendance rose from 159,643 in 2025 to 200,879 in 2026.

However, the additional visitors have also increased workloads and expenses. Nuremberg reported more cleaning, waste disposal, supervision, wear on pools and technology, water treatment and fresh-water use. Augsburg said cleaning, maintenance, staffing and operating costs had all risen.

Munich’s municipal utilities described the prolonged heat as creating strenuous working conditions. The operator responded with UV-protective clothing, sunscreen, parasols and additional breaks in staff schedules.

The 2026 season has brought strong attendance and several records, but outdoor swimming remains a public service rather than a profitable business. Municipalities face rising costs while seeking to keep admission prices affordable. The pools also provide a place where people can cope with extreme summer heat.