General Terms and Conditions

General Terms and Conditions for Subscriptions and Single Tickets  

On this page, you will find the General Terms and Conditions of the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne for both the purchase of subscriptions and single tickets.  

Subscriptions  
General Terms and Conditions of the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne for the purchase of subscriptions. PDF download available.  

Single Tickets  
General Terms and Conditions of the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne for the purchase of single tickets.  

I. Scope  
The General Terms and Conditions govern the relationship between the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne and its visitors and form part of the contract between them.  

II. Ticket Prices / Sales  

1. Publication  
The Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne announces advance ticket sale periods, the concert schedule, ticket price categories, and types and scope of discounts on its website, in its publications (e.g., annual brochures, flyers, newsletters, etc.), and in the daily press. Any deviations or special promotions are communicated via the website or local press. The Gürzenich Orchestra does not guarantee the accuracy of press publications.  

2. Discounts  
Students, trainees, volunteers (BFD and FSJ) up to the age of 28, holders of a valid Cologne Pass, and recipients of benefits under SGB II receive a 50% discount on single tickets for subscription concerts 1–12 and for the following special concerts at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall: Festive Concert, Charity Concert, and Passion Concert. Chamber concerts are excluded from discounts.  

Holders of a JULEICA card or an honorary service card receive a 50% discount on all subscription concerts on Mondays and Tuesdays.  

Wheelchair users or individuals with a disability rating of 100% or with a "B" marking in their disability ID card receive free admission to all concerts, subject to availability. One accompanying person is also entitled to a free ticket if the "B" marking is present in the disability ID card.  

Tickets are available at official ticket sales points and at the box office. Only one type of discount can be claimed per ticket. The discount eligibility must be presented at the time of purchase and upon entry. Discounted tickets are non-transferable unless the new holder is also eligible for the discount.  

3. Fees  
Advance ticket sales are subject to additional fees.  

4. Payment  
Payments for tickets can be made in cash, by EC card, credit card (Visa, MasterCard), or via bank transfer. If paying by bank transfer, tickets will only be issued once payment has been received.  

5. Reservations  
Phone or written reservations are valid for a maximum of six days and must be made at least three days before the concert. Reserved but unpaid tickets that are not collected by the deadline will be released for sale. Paid reservations can be collected at the box office upon request. Uncollected tickets will not be refunded.  

If requested at least seven business days before the concert, tickets can be sent by post. A handling fee of €3 applies for mailing.  

6. Concert Tickets as Transportation Tickets  
Concert tickets (except complimentary, staff, or press tickets) serve as valid transportation tickets for public transport in Cologne and the entire Rhine-Sieg Transport Association (VRS). The ticket is valid on the day of the concert, starting four hours before the event, until the end of the transport service or until 10:00 AM the following day. The ticket may only be used by the concertgoer and cannot be transferred.  

7. Seating  
Ticket holders are entitled to the seat indicated on their ticket. Seat changes are only permitted with approval from the event staff. If the assigned seat is unavailable due to technical or artistic reasons, an alternative seat of equal value will be provided.  

For events with open seating, visitors select their seats upon arrival.  

A limited number of wheelchair-accessible seats are available. Visitors requiring such seating must indicate their needs at the time of ticket purchase.  

8. Resale  
Tickets may not be resold for a price higher than the printed value. Unauthorized commercial resale is prohibited. Tickets may only be transferred with prior written approval. Unauthorized resale results in ticket invalidation without compensation.  

For Print@home tickets, the ticket must be printed on A4 paper and cannot be copied or altered. If multiple copies exist, only the first scanned ticket will be admitted. The Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne is not liable for lost or misused Print@home tickets.  

III. Ticket Refunds / Lost Tickets  

1. Ticket Returns  
Tickets cannot be returned or refunded. No replacements are provided for expired tickets. Refunds are not available for:  
- Changes in the cast or performance start time.  
- Event cancellations or interruptions due to force majeure (e.g., disasters, strikes).  

2. Exchanges  
Ticket exchanges are generally not permitted. If an exception is made, a €5 exchange fee applies.  

3. Lost Tickets  
Lost tickets may be replaced if the buyer can provide exact seat details. A €5 processing fee applies. If both the original and replacement ticket are presented at the venue, priority will be given to the replacement ticket holder.  

IV. Entry  

1. Admission Rights  
Only tickets and subscription passes grant admission.  

2. Discount Verification  
Discount eligibility must be presented at entry. If not provided, the price difference must be paid before entry.  

3. Late Arrival  
Latecomers may only be admitted at a designated time (e.g., intermission) and may lose their assigned seat. No refunds will be given for missed performances.  

V. Cloakroom  

1. Items to Be Checked  
Coats, jackets, umbrellas, large bags, and similar items must be left at the cloakroom. A cloakroom fee is included in the ticket price.  

2. Collection  
A cloakroom ticket is issued upon check-in. Items are only returned upon presentation of this ticket. If lost, items will only be returned after all other guests have collected theirs, and the owner has provided sufficient proof of ownership.  

3. Claims  
Any issues must be reported immediately to the cloakroom staff.  

VI. Audio & Video Recordings  
Recording audio or video is strictly prohibited. The Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne reserves the right to produce and distribute recordings of its concerts. By attending, visitors consent to the possibility of being recorded and appearing in media broadcasts.  

VII. Data Protection  
For details on how the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne processes personal data, please refer to the data protection policy at www.guerzenich-orchester.de/datenschutz.  

VIII. Modifications  
The Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne reserves the right to amend its General Terms and Conditions when necessary. Changes will be communicated in writing. If the customer does not object within four weeks, the new terms will be deemed accepted.  

IX. Third-Party Sales (DerTicketService.de GmbH & Co. KG)  
If tickets are purchased via DerTicketService.de GmbH & Co. KG, their General Terms and Conditions apply in addition.  

X. Liability  
The Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne, its representatives, and employees are only liable for intent or gross negligence. Liability for personal injury remains unaffected.  

XI. Effective Date  
These General Terms and Conditions are effective as of June 25, 2019, and apply to all events from the 2019/20 season onward.