The future of hardcore: Masters of Hardcore 2026 reveals global line-up

The world’s most influential hardcore event returns in 2026 with exclusive live acts, historic firsts and a line-up built for the international hardcore community.

Masters of Hardcore 2026 is once again set to unite the global hardcore scene with artists, concepts and collaborations spanning every corner of the genre. From early hardcore foundations to the most extreme forms of uptempo and terror, Masters of Hardcore continues to set the benchmark for hardcore worldwide.

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A line-up built for the global hardcore scene

Masters of Hardcore has always represented the full spectrum of hardcore culture, and 2026 reinforces that reputation with exclusive live acts, rare collaborations and innovative stage concepts that push the genre forward while respecting its roots.

Area updates: Masters of Early Uptempo and Face 2 Face Early Hardcore sets

Masters of Hardcore 2026 will host a brand-new area dedicated to the origins of uptempo, highlighting the pioneers and early innovators who helped shape one of hardcore’s fastest-growing styles. Also, in a historic first for hardcore, the Early Hardcore area will feature exclusively Face 2 Face sets such as Marc Acardipane F2F Promo in a 90 minutes set and Bass-D F2F Vince in two hours of pure nostalgia, creating extended, interactive clashes between genre-defining artists.

Stage highlights

The Mainstage will embody the legacy and power of Masters of Hardcore with the Hour of Heritage Italian special by Noize Suppressor, Tommyknocker and Unexist, the raw and uncompromising collaboration of Nosferatu & Tha Playah, and the timeless energy of Paul Elstak. The exclusive premiere of Deadly Guns 'Hardcore Nation LIVE' is another big highlight of the upcoming edition.

The Masters of Extreme Hardcore stage pushes intensity to the absolute limit with Austria’s uptempo phenomenon 99PRBLMZ, the explosive sound of Revealer and Samynator’s evolving 'Mutation' LIVE concept. Cryogenic pres. 'The Reflections of Masters' adds a dark, high-energy reinterpretation of the event’s history through a modern extreme hardcore lens.

Frenchcore takes a global spotlight with Vandal’s genre-blending style, Billx’s high-impact international sound and The Sickest Squad pres. 'Bassdrum Demolition', presenting their brand-new album live and reinforcing the strength of Frenchcore within the Masters of Hardcore universe.

Check out the full lineup here

Unfiltered speed and aggression define the Masters of Terror area, with Terrorina representing the new wave of terror and Drokz & Akira delivering a 90-minute early terror set that dives deep into the origins of the genre.

Millennium hardcore is celebrated through rare and exclusive clashes at the Masters of Millenium stage, including Korsakoff vs. Hysta, uniting legend and modern power, and DJ D vs. Nitrogenetics, performing together for the first time in over six years.

The final hours are reserved for those who stay until the end, featuring a rare Angerfist –Classics set, Partyraiser’s seamless transition from millennium into uptempo, the chaotic energy of Gezellige Uptempo pres. 'SH!T HAPPENS', the unmistakable sound of The Dark Horror and the immersive Noxiouz pres. 'The Catalyst' liveact.

With historic concepts, exclusive premieres and a line-up that spans every era of the genre, Masters of Hardcore 2026 once again confirms its position as the ultimate global hardcore event. Ticket sales for Masters of Hardcore 2026 has started, and regular tickets are still available.