Host Nation Update, April 24, 2026
A81 near Böblingen-Sindelfingen Autobahn will be closed during the night this weekend
This weekend beginning Saturday, April 25, at 10 p.m. through April 26, at 5 a.m., the A81 Autobahn between Sindelfingen-Ost and Böblingen-Hulb will be completely closed in both directions. This was announced by Deges, the company responsible for the motorway expansion. The reason for the overnight closure is the relocation of the concrete paver from the north side of the A81 to the south side at the Böblingen-Ost interchange. The large machine will remain in operation there until the weekend to construct the new concrete roadway towards the Stuttgart interchange. Traffic heading towards Stuttgart will be diverted at the Böblingen-Hulb interchange and routed via the district road to the Stuttgart-Vaihingen interchange. Traffic heading towards Singen will be diverted at the Sindelfingen-East interchange. The exits are clearly signposted; traffic planners request special attention in the junctions. (Stuttgarter Nachrichten, April 24, 2026)
A81 near Leonberg: Engelberg Tunnel: Feuerbach interchange to fully reopen
Finally, things are moving around the Engelberg Tunnel near Leonberg. Not only will a second lane reopen this Saturday, April 25, through the western tube, which was severely damaged in the truck fire on March 3, but the Stuttgart-Feuerbach interchange on the A81 will also reopen that day. On Tuesday afternoon, Autobahn GmbH announced that a second lane in the western tube of the Engelberg Tunnel, heading towards the Leonberg interchange, will on Saturday. This was expected to happen sometime during the morning. Following the fire, the severely damaged tube had been completely closed for a period before one tube could be reopened. (Stuttgarter Nachrichten, April 24, 2026)
Esslinger Frühling is the first highlight in Esslingen’s annual event calendar.
Every April, the center of the historic medieval town of Esslingen hosts a delightful two-day program in celebration of the return of spring’s warmth and color.
Expect a farmer’s market, book market, antiques and handicrafts, and “Garden Days” featuring around a hundred exhibitors. Many shops will be open on Sunday too. And of course, a special play area for children! The “Esslingen Spring” festival offers a mix of shopping, entertainment, and information, a fun time for the whole family. (Stuttgarter Nachrichten, April 24, 2026)
New Entry-Level fare Lufthansa Eliminates Free Carry-On Bag
Lufthansa is eliminating the previously complimentary carry-on bag on its short- and medium-haul flights. The company announced that a new “Economy Basic” entry-level fare will be introduced across all airlines in the group, which includes one small personal item such as a laptop bag or backpack. Tickets for selected routes will be available for booking starting April 28 for travel from May 19 onwards. Lufthansa justifies the move by citing changing passenger behavior. The new fare offers an additional option at an attractive entry price, particularly for day-trippers. The personal item must not exceed 40 x 30 x 15 centimeters. Additional carry-on or checked baggage can be added as a flexible service starting at €15. (Stuttgarter Nachrichten, April 24, 2026)
Bundesliga (federal soccer league): After VfB Stuttgart and Bayern Reach DFB-Pokal (German federal cup) final:
7th place is enough for European Competition
The fact that record winner Bayern Munich and defending champion VfB Stuttgart have reached the finals has a direct impact on the allocation of German European Cup spots. With the final match between the German champion and the fourth-place team set for May 23, it is now certain that the seventh-place team in the Bundesliga will also be competing internationally next season.(Stuttgarter Nachrichten, April 24, 2026)
30 km/h speed limit for Böblingen’s city center
Drivers in Böblingen will soon slow down: The Technical Committee has recommended reducing the speed limit to 30 km/h along the city’s main roads. What has brought prosperity to the city of Böblingen is also its curse: the intersection of major traffic arteries. According to a noise assessment by Modus Consult, large parts of Böblingen’s city center are affected by excessive noise and require a speed limit of 30 km/h. This applies particularly to Tübinger Straße, Herrenberger Straße, Calwer Straße, and Schönaicher Straße, as well as their extensions into the city center, and Böblinger Straße and Aidlinger Straße in Dagersheim. (Stuttgarter Nachrichten, April 24, 2026)