John Summit is bringing Experts Only Festival back to New York City for a highly anticipated 2026 edition, following the massive success of its sold-out debut. Set for September 19 and 20, 2026 at Randall’s Island Park, the two-day event will once again transform the island into the city’s largest dance music destination.
Curated by John Summit himself, the festival arrives on the heels of his upcoming album ‘CTRL ESCAPE,’ due April 15 via Experts Only and Darkroom Records. With Summit not only shaping the lineup but also taking the stage, the 2026 edition positions itself as a defining moment in his continued rise.
Tickets for Experts Only Festival 2026 go on sale Friday, April 3, with the Artist and Festival Presale launching at 10:00 AM EST through 11:59 AM EST, followed by the General Onsale at 12:00 PM EST the same day. After last year’s rapid sell-out, demand is expected to be even higher as fans prepare for the festival’s return.
Produced in partnership with Medium Rare, Relentless Beats, and EMW, the 2026 edition will build on its debut with elevated production, multiple stages, expanded fan experiences, and a globally curated lineup. The inaugural 2025 event was widely praised for its polished execution and fan-first approach, marking a major moment for large-scale dance music in New York City.
The first wave of artists reflects that momentum, featuring John Summit alongside GRiZ, Prospa, SUBJOHNICS, LYNY, Korolova, Taiki Nulight, Devault, Dreya V, OMRI., Partiboi69, Jackie Hollander, Dansyn, Airrica, Gabss, MADI, Soraya, Mishell, and Rohaan, with additional names set to be announced in the coming months.
In a market that had long felt the absence of a major dance weekender at Randall’s Island, Experts Only Festival filled a critical gap with its 2025 debut. The inaugural edition drew more than 50,000 fans and quickly became one of the most talked-about dance events of the year. It featured two headlining performances from John Summit, alongside standout sets from Kaskade b2b Cassian, Green Velvet b2b Layton Giordani, LP Giobbi, Kasablanca, DJ Seinfeld, Pete Tong, and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs—setting a new benchmark for large-scale electronic events in the city.
With its return, Experts Only Festival 2026 is poised to build on that foundation, expanding both its scale and cultural impact while solidifying its place as one of New York City’s premier dance music experiences.