ZDF 'Fernsehgarten' brings Mallorca party to Mainz with 6,500 fans, non-alcoholic drinks, and Ballermann stars
The ZDF 'Fernsehgarten' transformed the Mainz Lerchenberg into a slice of Playa de Palma on Sunday, with 6,500 fans, Ballermann acts, and a strict no-alcohol policy that drew chants of 'Wir wollen Freibier'.
A sun-soaked Mallorca transplant on the Rhine
Shortly before noon on Sunday, the ZDF "Fernsehgarten" launched its annual Mallorca special under cloudless skies. All 6,500 tickets had sold out within minutes, and the crowd on the Mainz Lerchenberg arrived in full party dress: flower necklaces, pink plush hats, football jerseys, and shirts from Mallorca's Bierkönig and Megapark venues. Regular host Andrea "Kiwi" Kiewel, wearing a purple-orange summer dress, opened the two-hour live broadcast by singing Lorenz Büffel's hit "Johnny Däpp". She did not address the racism allegations that had surfaced after a previous episode.
The Fernsehgarten is simply cult. It's like a family. For me, it's the most insane Mallorca party of the year.
Elton steps in for Rudi Cerne
This year's guest moderator was Elton, a longtime associate of Stefan Raab and a Ballermann regular. He replaced Rudi Cerne, the "Aktenzeichen XY" presenter who had hosted the 2025 Mallorca edition during a chaotic storm and looked increasingly out of place. Elton assessed his own fit with characteristic understatement.
Maybe a touch more fitting. But I definitely wouldn't say better.
Elton also offered a blunt philosophy for the day: "I like to holiday there. It sounds a bit stupid, but: just switch off your brain, have fun, and party with the people."
Ballermann royalty and a streaming argument
The lineup featured a who's who of German party music: Mickie Krause, Frenzy, Jürgen Milski, Mia Julia, Julian Sommer, and Tobee. Several acts competed in "Gaga" games between performances. Tobee closed the show with what was billed as the summer's biggest hit, "Mon Amour", and returned for an encore. Backstage, he made a case for the genre's cultural weight.
Unfortunately there aren't many shows with Ballermann or party music, which is completely wrong. Because our genre has higher streaming numbers than pop music. That's why the 'Fernsehgarten' is important for us, to present our hits here and reach a broader audience.
No alcohol, no problem? Not quite
Despite the beach-party atmosphere, all drinks served on site (beer, strawberry punch, Aperol Spritz) were alcohol-free. Elton complained about it repeatedly during the broadcast, and the crowd chanted "Wir wollen Freibier". Fan Jöckel'z, 39, from Frischborn in central Hesse, attending for the third time, was blunt.
It's a shame that no alcohol is served here. I think it takes away a bit of the mood. A Mallorca party or Oktoberfest without alcohol just doesn't work.
He then admitted to spiking his own litre carton of "mild orange" with high-proof spirits: "To be honest: of course you do that." He added that "one or two" had already started on the journey to Mainz.
A fixture of the summer schedule
The Mallorca "Fernsehgarten" has been one of the show's most popular editions for years, reliably selling out in minutes. Fans Nina and Jana from Esslingen near Stuttgart, dressed as the "Pink Girls" with matching hats and shirts, said they had to be there because they love going to Ballermann. They were most excited for Mia Julia and Julian Sommer. The broadcast ran for two hours, blending live music, games, and the peculiar tension between a party crowd and a dry bar.
