Your Ultra South Africa 2026 guide: Dates, tickets, venues and prices
Ultra South Africa has been a major pull for ravers since the international EDM festival first touched down on South African soil in 2014, with thousands of attendees at the inaugural event. Ultra South Africa 2026 will be held in Cape Town and Johannesburg in late April.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Ultra music festival first came to South Africa in 2014, visiting Cape Town and Johannesburg, which have been the two main cities since.
- Ultra South Africa's first musical line-up featured world-class electronic music artists such as Tiësto, Alesso, Afrojack, and South African icon Black Coffee.
- Ultra South Africa 2026 venues will be at The Expo Centre, Nasrec in Johannesburg, and at The Ostrich in Cape Town.
- Ultra South Africa tickets can be purchased via their official website or their official ticketing partner, Howler.
There will be an Ultra South Africa 2026 in both Johannesburg and Cape Town
The international EDM festival will return to South Africa for its 11th instalment, with Johannesburg and Cape Town both seeing its return. The first instalment saw an estimated 40,000 people attend, and a reported 55,000 individuals attended the 2025 addition, showing a growing interest in the event.
Ultra Johannesburg will happen on Saturday, April 25, 2026
The first addition of the international festival will take place at The Expo Centre, Nasrec in Johannesburg on the last Saturday of April. 2025's iconic line-up saw a mix of international and local artists, such as Armin van Buuren, Martin Garrix, KSHMR, Massano, ISOxo, Shimza, Mind Against, DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small and DBN Gogo.
Although the stages have varied in the past, Johannesburg's leg usually has four stages: the main stage, the resistance stage, the clubhouse, and the groove room. Fans can likely expect the same set up next year, but must keep an eye on Ultra South Africa's website for confirmation.
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The Ultra Cape Town 2026 date is scheduled for Sunday, April 26, 2026
The second addition of the South African instalment takes place at The Ostrich in Cape Town on the Sunday right after Johannesburg's instalment. Cape Town's 2025 addition saw headliners Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren, KSHMR, Massano, and Mind Against.
Supporting acts included DBN Gogo, Da Capo, DJ Shimza, Culoe De Song, Vigro Deep, and DJ Lag. Unlike Johannesburg, there are usually only two stages at Ultra Cape Town: the main stage and the resistance stage. These can likely be expected for next year, as with every year before.
The full Ultra South Africa 2026 lineup has yet to be announced
Although it is too early to confirm all headliners, DJs that have been confirmed for 2026's instalment include KSHMR, Armin van Buuren, and ISOxo. The full line-up is expected to be released in late 2025 or early 2026.
It is important to note that the Ultra line-up for each province may differ, so if you wish to see specific artists, it is best to confirm which acts are expected to perform in your province beforehand.
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Frequently asked questions
Can attendees bring in refreshments and other items?
Patrons may not bring in any food or refreshments, as it is a prohibited item. Other prohibited items at the South African festival include:
- Personal accessories: These include chairs, blankets, tents, sleeping bags, stuffed animals, or umbrellas.
- Recreational accessories: The use of drones, skateboards, hoverboards, bicycles, scooters, personal motorised vehicles and animals (excluding service animals) is prohibited.
- Other miscellaneous items: No pens, markers, spray paint, noisemakers, air horns, or any musical instruments are allowed.
- Equipment: Laser pointers and pens, spray bottles, water guns, professional/flash cameras and video/audio recording equipment are not allowed.
- Personal protective gear: Masks (excluding service animals) are prohibited.
- Containers: No cans, bottles, flasks, canteens or coolers.
- Substances: Illegal/illicit substances, drug paraphernalia are strictly prohibited.
- Weapons: No type of weapon or explosives of any kind.
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What are the Ultra ticket prices?
Ticket prices vary depending on when you buy them, ranging from around R,1000 to over R5,000. Future attendees can purchase tickets either via Ultra South Africa directly or via their official ticketing partner, Howler. Although it is too early to buy tickets to the 2026 event, you can keep an eye on Ultra South Africa's Facebook page and official website.
How old do you have to be to go to Ultra South Africa?
Ultra South Africa's age limit is no under-18s, aligning with South Africa's standard drinking laws.
Will there be food and drink vendors at the venue?
Ultra South Africa offers more than just international DJs, with various food and refreshment stalls to keep you fueled up throughout the day. Although the details of what food vendors will attend have yet to be released, attendees can look forward to various local food stalls selling South African fast food, such as boerewors, biltong, and more.
Are pass-outs allowed?
Pass-outs are not allowed at the event, and re-entry to the festival is prohibited for safety reasons regarding its attendees.
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What time does the event start?
The official time has not been released, but based on previous years, the festival is expected to be between 14h00 and 02h00. Many local bars and clubs host official afterparties, so keep an eye out on the event's social media pages for details of afterparties.
Wrapping up
Details on Ultra South Africa 2026 are still limited. The festival's previous years give future attendees a glimpse into what they can expect, including a plethora of refreshment stalls, multiple stages, and the world's best EDM DJs.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not sponsored by any third party. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
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Source: Briefly News
