Keep on flying: The Darkfest 2026

When Sam Reynolds calls, the world's elite come. In 2026, the Brit invites you to the Hellsend Dirt Compound on the Vuurberg Wine Farm near Stellenbosch for the tenth time. The Darkfest has long been more than just an event - it's a statement. Bigger, further, more uncompromising.

38 riders from eleven nations are on the list. Names such as freeride icon Graham Agassiz, Rampage madman Szymon Godziek, bike entertainer and superstar Matt Jones or the fearless Tom Isted, who has already taken the 110-footer in a backflip. Strong women are also at the start: Vero Sandler, Vaea Verbeeck and Cami Nogueira, for example.

Unfortunately, long-time Darkness rider Adolf Silva from Spain will not be there this year. Adolf had caused sensations at Darkfest in previous years with his front and back flips. Adolf crashed so hard during the last Red Bull Rampagethat he is now in a wheelchair and reminds us that playing with gravity doesn't always go well. Unfortunately, that's also part of gravity sports.

At Darkfest, the athletes race around the course for a week - if the wind and speed are right. Speciality of the event: the athletes judge themselves and choose the Oueen and the King of Darkness at the end of the Darkfest week - highly coveted titles in the gravity universe.

When I launched the first Darkfest, I could never have imagined what it would become 10 years later! It has exceeded my wildest dreams. I can't wait to start preparations for this year. - Sam Reynolds

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The course? 110-foot gaps, i.e. a good 33.5 metres. Massive step-ups. Hardly any safety net, lots of commitment. Reynolds himself says the event has exceeded his wildest expectations. And every year, everything starts from scratch - dredging, shaping, hoping the wind plays ball.

When will Darkfest 2026 take place?

The Darkfest week begins on 14 March and ends on 22 March. Darkfest opens to spectators on Saturday, 21 March 2026, and anyone who wants to see freeride in its most radical form should make a note of this day. The athletes and organisers will be posting clips about the event on YouTube.

Complete starter list Darkfest 2026

1. Sam Reynolds (Great Britain)
2. Clemens Kaudela (Austria)
3. Sam Hodgson (Great Britain)
4. Vero Sandler (Great Britain/New Zealand)
5. Lukas Schäfer (Germany)
6. Paul Couderc (France)
7. Theo Erlangsen (South Africa)
8. Kaidan Ingersoll (USA)
9. Edgar Briole (France)
10. Daniel Ruso (Austria)
11. Elias Ruso (Austria)
12. Tom Isted (Great Britain)
13. Matt MacDuff (Canada)
14. Tomas Lemoine (France)
15. Finley Kirschenmann (USA)
16. Lucy Vaneesteren (Canada)
17. Vaea Verbeeck (Canada)
18. Alessio "Cornflakes" Tonoli (Switzerland)
19. Dan Paley (Great Britain)
20. Ike Klaassen (South Africa)
21. Bienve Aguado (Spain)
22. Brendan Fairclough (Great Britain)
23. Chelsea Kimball (USA)
24. Dylan Lamb (South Africa)
25. Cami Nogueira (Argentina)
26. Kaos Seagrave (Great Britain)
27. Graham Agassiz (Canada)
28. Chance Moore (Canada)
29. Matt Jones (Great Britain)
30. Robin Goomes (New Zealand)
31. Szymon Godziek (Poland)
32. Talus Turk (USA)
33. Vinny T (France)
34. Vinny Armstrong (New Zealand)
35. Louis Reboul (France)
36. Natasha Bradley (Great Britain)
37. Jack Schliemann (South Africa)
38. Chopper Fielder (Great Britain)