Kaposvár hosts third Rippl‑Rónai Hot‑Air Balloon Cup

The third Rippl‑Rónai Cup, an international hot‑air balloon competition, opened on Wednesday evening in Kaposvár, Hungary, with a ceremonial parade to Kossuth Square. Deputy mayor Rómeó Pintér and competition director Jonas Maes welcomed participants and praised the strong local interest.

The event runs from Thursday to Sunday, with five nations—Hungary, Austria, Poland, Slovenia and the United Kingdom—fielding a total of 23 balloon teams. Organisers will adjust launch sites each day based on weather forecasts, which predict favorable conditions for morning and evening flights. Spectators are urged to follow the official Facebook page for real‑time updates and to observe safety distances of 50‑100 metres when watching take‑offs.

The competition aims to combine sport and spectacle, drawing crowds to Kaposvár’s city centre and surrounding airspace while highlighting the region’s enthusiasm for ballooning.