10 YEARS OF SENDING IT: DARKFEST 2026 ANNOUNCES MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY AND HEAVYWEIGHT RIDER LIST
Get ready to witness the absolute limit of what’s possible on two wheels. Darkfest is officially back, and for 2026, we are celebrating a decade of dirt, danger, and world-first hucks. What started as a DIY mission to build the world’s biggest jumps has evolved into the ultimate proving ground for freeride mountain biking, and the 10th-year edition is set to be the most legendary session yet.
“Creating the first Darkfest I never would have imagined what it could become 10 years later! It’s surpassed my wildest dreams and expectations and I am so thankful for all the amazing people who have been I loved and memories it has created. I hope everyone has enjoyed it so far, I can’t wait to get started on this years build, as always we will try our best to make it sicker than ever!” - Sam Reynolds
Returning to the iconic Hellsend Dirt Compound at Vuurberg Wine Farm, the 2026 event will see the world’s elite riders converge on the gnarliest course ever sculpted. From the legendary 110-foot gaps to the massive step-ups that have defined a generation of freeride, the 10-year anniversary is about sending it through the epic line and celebrating the progression of the sport with some legends, newbies and wildcards thrown in!
The 2026 Darkfest Invited Riders List:
SAM REYNOLDS (UK)
CLEMENS KAUDELA (AT)
SAM HODGSON (UK)
VERO SANDLER (UK/NZ)
LUKAS SCHAFER (GER)
PAUL COUDERC (FRA)
THEO ERLANGSEN (RSA)
KAIDAN INGERSOLL (USA)
EDGAR BRIOLE (FRA)
DANIEL RUSO (AT)
ELIAS RUSO (AT)
TOM ISTED (UK)
MATT MACDUFF (CAN)
TOMAS LEMOINE (FRA)
FINLEY KIRSCHENMANN (USA)
LUCY VANEESTEREN (CAN)
VAEA VERBEECK (CAN)
ALESSIO “CORNFLAKES” TONOLI (SUI)
DAN PALEY (UK)
IKE KLAASSEN (RSA)
BIENVE AGUADO (ESP)
NICHOLI ROGATKIN (USA)
BRENDAN FAIRCLOUGH (UK)
CHELSEA KIMBALL (USA)
DYLAN LAMB (RSA)
CAMI NOGUEIRA (ARG)
KAOS SEAGRAVE (UK)
GRAHAM AGASSIZ (CAN)
CHANCE MOORE (CAN)
MATT JONES (UK)
ROBIN GOOMES (NZ)
SZYMON GODZIEK (POL)
TALUS TURK (USA)
VINNY T (FRA)
VINNY ARMSTRONG (NZ)
LOUIS REBOUL (FRA)
NATASHA BRADLEY (UK)
JACK SCHLIEMANN (RSA)
CHOPPER FIELDER (UK)
Dates & Public Access: The riders will be sessioning the course throughout the week, hunting for the perfect green light conditions to stomp the biggest tricks in history. For the fans wanting to witness the carnage in person:
Public Open Day: Saturday, March 21st, 2026
Location: Hellsend Dirt Compound, Vuurberg Wine Farm, Stellenbosch.
Stay tuned for Build Diary updates and behind-the-scenes content on Sam Reynolds YouTube Channel as we prep the most legendary course in freeride history.
