Version: April 12, 2026

1. Eligibility to Participate

Participation is open to all persons who have reached the age of 18.

2. Registration

Registration is binding and may only be withdrawn for an important reason, in particular in the case of proven illness, serious family circumstances, or the birth of the participant’s own child.

The registration fee for the qualifying rounds (SAC) for the Experts Challenge (SEC) is €25.

In the event of cancellation by the participant after binding registration, the following administrative and cancellation fees will apply:

Up to 60 days before the start of the event: cancellation free of charge

59 to 30 days before the start of the event: €100.00

29 to 14 days before the start of the event: €150.00

13 days or less before the start of the event, or in the event of non-attendance: €250.00

Further claims for damages remain unaffected if a higher verifiable loss has occurred.

Invoices will be issued to the address provided in the registration form.

2.10 Binding Nature of Participation

By confirming registration, the participant accepts the complete rules and regulations as binding. No verbal side agreements exist.

2.11 Proof Required for Reasons of Cancellation

If a cancellation is made for health-related reasons, the organizer may request suitable proof, e.g. a medical certificate.

If no proof is provided, the regular cancellation fees will apply.

2.12 Compensation for Organizational Losses

If the organizer incurs additional verifiable costs or losses as a result of a short-notice cancellation, e.g. printing costs, rebookings, technical expenses, program changes, or promotional materials, the organizer reserves the right to claim additional compensation.

2.13 No Participation for Prestige Purposes

Registration may only be submitted where there is a genuine intention to participate.

Registrations made solely for reservation, prestige, or promotional purposes may be cancelled by the organizer.

2.14 Exclusion Due to Repeated Unreliability

Participants who have previously cancelled at short notice, failed to meet deadlines, or significantly disrupted organizational processes may be excluded from future events.

3. Show Aufguss Concept

Each participant is required to develop an individual and creative concept for their Show Aufguss and present it during the competition.

Criteria for the Concept

The concept should place creativity, originality, and safety at the forefront.

Only tested and safe Aufguss products such as essential oils, herbal decoctions, and incense materials may be used.

After the Aufguss, where appropriate, a peeling treatment or similar product may be offered to guests in the shower area.

Safety Regulations

Open flames inside the sauna cabin are strictly prohibited.

Incense materials are permitted provided they are used safely.

Submission of Documents

Each participant is required to prepare a complete fragrance list as well as a lighting script and submit these by a specified deadline, which will be communicated by the organizer, via WeTransfer to Rigo Neumann.

These documents are used for the organizer’s preparation and coordination with the technical team.

4. Conduct of the Competition

Each participant has a specified period of time in which to present their Show Aufguss concept.

Before the start of the Aufguss, all essential oils, herbal decoctions, or incense materials to be used must be submitted to the jury at least 30 minutes before the Aufguss for a safety inspection.

The use of low-quality synthetically produced fragrances and perfume oils is prohibited.

No active intervention in the Aufguss by assistants, guests, or any other persons is permitted.

The dosage of essential oils must be carried out exclusively by the participant.

The arrangement and preparation of towels and waving equipment must be carried out by the participant.

During the event days, no test setups, rehearsals, or preparations for the Aufguss are permitted outside the officially allocated preparation time. This includes, in particular, setting up decorations, arranging towels, props, technical equipment, or any other equipment. Each participant is granted exactly 15 minutes of preparation time immediately before their own Aufguss. Any preparation carried out before this period will result in immediate disqualification.

A lighting and sound check is permitted after prior coordination with the lighting technician, provided that this does not involve setting up equipment, rehearsing the Aufguss, or interfering with the ongoing event.

5. Conduct of the Competition

Show Aufguss Concept

The total duration of the presentation must not exceed 15 minutes and 30 seconds.

The presentation must last at least 12 minutes.

Exceeding or falling below the permitted time by up to 1 minute = deduction of 5 points. Anything beyond this will result in disqualification.

Before the start of the Aufguss, all essential oils, herbal decoctions, or incense materials to be used must be submitted to the jury at least 30 minutes before the Aufguss for a safety inspection.

Synthetic fragrances and perfume oils are expressly prohibited.

Participants are no longer expressly required to give an introductory announcement. This will be carried out by the moderation team, including information on fragrances, safety-related matters, etc.

No active intervention in the Aufguss by assistants, guests, or any other persons is permitted.

The use of menthol crystals is prohibited.

The use of essential oils, whisks, incense materials, and herbal decoctions is permitted.

5.1 Attendance Requirement

Participants must be present at the venue and ready to perform no later than the time communicated by the organizer.

Late arrival may result in a deduction of points or disqualification.

5.11 Responsibility for Completeness

Each participant is personally responsible for their music, costume, assistants, props, and timely preparation.

Missing assistants, forgotten materials, or technical problems relating to the participant’s own equipment do not constitute grounds for postponement.

5.12 Competition Format

Each participant in the Saunaaufguss Newcomer Challenge must present their Show Aufguss concept at the event venue during the event at their allocated starting time.

6. Judging Criteria

The Aufguss presentations will be evaluated by a competent and independent expert jury consisting of experienced Sauna Masters and recognized sauna experts.

The jury will use a defined scoring sheet covering the following main categories:

6.1 Creativity and Originality

Innovative concepts: Is a creative approach used that differs from traditional Aufguss presentations?

Choice of theme: Does the selected theme fit the overall production, and is it implemented consistently?

Individuality: How effectively does the Aufguss reflect the participant’s personality and individual style?

Originality of ideas: Are new and original elements used that surprise the audience and jury?

6.11 Show Effects

Visual design: Are lighting, colors, and effects used purposefully to support the atmosphere?

Music and sound: Does the choice of music or sound effects suit the theme and contribute to the atmosphere?

Costume: Is the presentation enhanced through themed clothing or props?

Synchronization: How harmoniously are the individual show elements coordinated with one another?

6.12 Aufguss Technique

Handling of equipment: Are towels, waving techniques, and other equipment used safely and professionally?

Temperature control: How effectively does the participant control the heat development inside the sauna cabin and distribute it evenly?

Clean execution: Are the waving techniques carried out precisely and without disruption?

Time management: Is the specified time of 12 to 16 minutes observed, and is the presentation balanced within this time frame?

6.13 Interaction with the Audience

Guest orientation: Are guests actively involved during the presentation, e.g. through greetings, explanations of the Aufguss products, or entertainment?

Empathy: Are the needs and well-being of the sauna guests taken into consideration?

Atmosphere: How effectively does the participant create a pleasant atmosphere that excites and relaxes the audience?

The story may either be presented live by the participant or played as a prerecorded narration.

6.14 Safety and Hygiene

Safety measures: Are all safety requirements set by the organizer observed, e.g. the use of approved Aufguss products and the prohibition of open flames?

Care: Are materials and equipment used professionally in order to minimize risks to participants and guests?

Contamination: Cleanliness of the sauna cabin and sauna heater before and after the Aufguss.

Hygiene standards: Are hygienic working practices observed throughout the presentation?

6.15 Overall Impression

Atmosphere: How coherent and atmospheric is the overall presentation?

Harmony: Are all elements – from music and technique to audience interaction – connected in a meaningful and coherent way?

Audience impact: How engaged and impressed is the audience by the presentation?

6.16 Scoring

The jury awards points in each category on a scale from 0.5 to 20 points.

The maximum total score is determined by adding together all points awarded in the individual categories.

Half-points may be awarded in order to allow for more precise differentiation between performances.

6.17 Time Management and Disqualification

Time limit (SHOW): Exceeding the maximum duration of 15 minutes and 30 seconds automatically results in the participant’s disqualification.

Falling below the minimum duration (SHOW): If the presentation lasts less than 12 minutes, this will have a negative impact on the assessment.

The sauna cabin may be left for a maximum of 35 seconds per Aufguss for costume changes. Exceeding this time automatically results in disqualification.

6.18 Feedback

Individual feedback: Each participant will receive detailed feedback from the jury after the event. This will include strengths of the presentation as well as recommendations for possible improvements.

Transparency: Points awarded and jury feedback will be made available to participants upon request in order to provide clear insight into the evaluation.

7. Prizes

In addition to material prizes and, where applicable, cash prizes, the six finalists will each automatically receive a guaranteed starting place in the upcoming Saunaaufguss Experts Challenge.

There, they will compete against further qualified top participants and once again have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, creativity, and development on a major stage.

Reaching the final therefore represents not only an achievement in itself, but also a direct ticket to the highest competition category of Passion Aufguss.

7.1 Replacement Procedure if a Finalist Withdraws

If a qualified finalist is unable to take up or chooses to return their starting place, the organizer reserves the right to fill the vacant place with a replacement participant.

Replacement nominations will generally be determined according to the total score achieved in the respective competition.

The next highest-ranked participants in descending order of points are eligible to be nominated as replacements.

There is no entitlement to a replacement nomination. The final decision regarding the allocation of vacant starting places rests with the organizer.

8. Audience Participation

The audience will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite participant.

This vote constitutes a separate mini-competition and has no influence on the official scoring by the jury.

The most popular participants according to the audience vote will receive separate recognition.

9. Fair Play and Ethics

All participants are expected to observe fair and ethical conduct throughout the entire Challenge.

Unsportsmanlike conduct, such as deliberately disrupting another participant, will result in immediate disqualification.

9.10 Damage to Reputation / Defamation

Public defamation, knowingly false statements, or statements that damage the business reputation of the organizer, jury, sponsors, or participants may result in immediate exclusion from current and future events.

9.11 Confidentiality of Internal Processes

Internal jury information, scores, group chats, organizational matters, or confidential information may not be published without prior consent.

10. Documentation

The event will be documented, and highlights may be used for promotional purposes as well as for future events.

By participating, participants consent to such use.

11. Disclaimer of Liability

Participation is at the participant’s own risk.

The organizer accepts no liability for injuries, damage, or losses that may occur during the event.

12. Personal Responsibility and Personal Liability

Participation in the event is undertaken on the participant’s own responsibility.

Each participant is personally liable, within the framework of the applicable statutory provisions, for all personal injury, property damage, and financial loss caused by their own intentional or negligent conduct during the event.

This applies in particular to damage to facilities, technical equipment, saunas, event premises, inventory, as well as property belonging to the organizer, the event venue, other participants, or other third parties.

The participant shall indemnify the organizer against legitimate claims made by third parties insofar as such claims result from culpable conduct attributable to the participant.

The existence of private liability insurance does not affect the participant’s personal responsibility.

The organizer’s statutory liability obligations remain unaffected.

13. Amendments to the Rules and Regulations

The organizer reserves the right to amend the rules and regulations where this is necessary to ensure the smooth operation of the competition.

14. House Rules / Final Decision

The organizer exercises the right to enforce house rules throughout the event.

In cases of doubt, the organizer’s decision shall be final and not subject to appeal, in the interests of ensuring an orderly competition process.