Science Meets Public Viewing
AHA Kickoff – June 14 and 25 at Nockherberg
Munich, June 10, 2026: AHA – The Science Communication Hub, an initiative of renowned Munich universities, colleges, research institutions, and museums, is bringing science to places you wouldn’t expect with “AHA Anpfiff”: to the public viewing event in the beer garden at Nockherberg. During select matches of the 2026 World Cup, researchers from AHA institutions, together with sports commentator and stadium announcer Michael Eham, will demonstrate just how much science goes into soccer. Before kickoff, they’ll shed light on various phenomena from the world of soccer in a short talk—and reveal surprising facts and exciting information in an entertaining way.
"We want to make science accessible and spark the interest of a broad audience. That’s why AHA has set itself the goal of bringing research to the people in public spaces,” says Dr. Christoph Egle, scientific director of AHA— The Science Communication Hub. “With AHA Anpfiff, we’re introducing a new and surprising format, and we hope to inspire many guests at Nockherberg with our enthusiasm for Munich as a hub of science.”
The AHA Kickoff Dates:
- June 14, 2026 – Germany vs. Curaçao
Starting around 5:30 p.m., host Michael Eham will welcome sports game researcher and data scientist Prof. Dr. Daniel Link from the Technical University of Munich to the stage. Together, they’ll get to the bottom of the most well-known soccer myths. Should the player who was fouled really not take the penalty kick? What’s the deal with this mysterious “home-field advantage”? And is the ball even round? The audience is invited to participate in a quiz and share in the excitement. The answers will be revealed and prizes awarded during halftime—with plenty of “aha” moments included.
- June 25, 2026 – Ecuador vs. Germany
Starting around 8:30 p.m., host Michael Eham will be joined by Dr. Jan Kern, a movement scientist from the Technical University of Munich. The topic of this short talk: headers. Are they harmful to the brain? And how can researchers even determine something like that? The audience will witness a live experiment.
Venue: Paulaner Beer Garden at Nockherberg, Hochstraße 77, 81541 Munich
Free admission!
For more information: https://aha.bayern/article/aha-anpfiff/
Interviews
We are happy to assist members of the media, upon request, in arranging interviews with the participating researchers and projects. We look forward to hearing from you.
About AHA – The Science Communication Hub
AHA – The Science Communication Hub an initiative of scientific institutions, academies, and museums that promotes dialogue between science and society. The initiative aims to make scientific content accessible, relevant, and inspiring for everyone, to build bridges, and to encourage conversation.
www.aha.bayern
Contact:
AHA Office – The Science Communication Hub
Press
089 / 23031–1378 or –1289
www.aha.bayern
Instagram: @aha.bayern / LinkedIn: AHA –The Science Communication Hub
Downloadable Materials
Source: AHA – The Science Communication Hub