A State of Trance (ASOT), the world’s most iconic trance and progressive music brand, proudly announces the celebration of its 25th anniversary at Rotterdam Ahoy. On Friday, February 27, and Saturday, February 28, 2026, fans from around the globe will gather for a weekend of music, lights, and pure euphoria. Since its inception in 2001 as a radio show by Armin van Buuren, ASOT has evolved into an international movement encompassing a record label, a global broadcast, and a premier live event series that attracts hundreds of thousands of attendees annually. The 2026 edition promises two exhilarating days of performances featuring an extraordinary lineup of global stars and rising talents, alongside a full global livestream via YouTube and other official ASOT channels.
The event will take place at Rotterdam Ahoy, located at Ahoyweg 10, 3084 BA Rotterdam. On Friday, February 27, hotel guests may enter at 17:30, with general admission at 18:00, and the event will run from 18:30 until 01:00. On Saturday, February 28, doors open at 20:00 for hotel guests and 20:30 for general admission, with the show running from 21:00 until 06:00. Both nights promise immersive visuals, world-class production, and a celebration of 25 years of trance music.
Friday’s lineup will feature Armin van Buuren performing an epic five-hour set, taking fans on a journey across the emotional and energetic spectrum of trance. He will be joined by Aly & Fila, the Egyptian duo renowned for euphoric melodies; Estiva, known for his modern progressive sound; and Giuseppe Ottaviani, a pioneer of fully live trance performances. Other highlights include John O’Callaghan, a leading figure in uplifting and tech trance; Mauro Picotto, the legendary Italian producer behind hits like “Komodo”; and NRG2000, a rising star delivering high-octane anthems. Ruben de Ronde, ASOT’s co-host and progressive innovator, and Will Atkinson, a dynamic UK DJ with festival-ready energy, round out an unforgettable opening night.
Saturday will feature a unique B3B (back-to-back-to-back) performance by Armin van Buuren, Oliver Heldens, and Maddix, merging classic trance, future house, and big-room energy. Armin van Buuren, a five-time #1 DJ and global ambassador of trance, is known for his euphoric melodies and legendary “A State of Trance” radio show. Oliver Heldens, the future house pioneer behind tracks like “Gecko,” will bring groovy basslines and high-energy drops to the stage. Maddix, celebrated for his dynamic big-room and techno-infused productions like “Push,” will add a powerful edge to the trio’s performance. Armin will also deliver a second solo set, ensuring another night of signature euphoria that showcases why he remains a central figure in electronic dance music.
Joining them will be Avalan Rokston, known for his cinematic, progressive trance soundscapes, and Benwal, whose uplifting tracks blend melodic elements with festival-ready drops. Cosmic Gate, the legendary German duo behind “Exploration of Space” and “Fire Wire,” will deliver their signature mix of emotive and driving trance that has captivated fans for over two decades. Fans will also experience high-energy sets from David Forbes, a Scottish trance veteran famed for his hard-hitting style; Ebenezer, an emerging progressive artist with a talent for atmospheric builds; Hannah Laing, the rising techno queen with infectious energy; Joa, praised for deep, melodic cuts; Korolova, the Ukrainian DJ producing hypnotic progressive house; Laura van Dam, who fuses driving trance with modern melodic elements; Nifra, the Slovakian powerhouse known for dark, high-intensity trance; Rank 1, the Dutch legends behind “Airwave”; Richard Durand, a consistent force in uplifting trance; and Tjade, who crafts eclectic sets weaving through melodic techno and house. Together, they offer a diverse blend of trance, progressive, and melodic techno across the night.
Adding to the excitement, the event welcomes a stellar list of new names for 2026. Amber Revival brings soulful, vocal-driven trance designed to lift the crowd’s spirits, while Ammara delivers deep, driving sets that balance energy with emotion. Andrew Rayel Presents Extasia showcases the Moldovan star’s cinematic and orchestral trance influences, turning the dance floor into a storytelling experience. Ben Gold, a leader in uplifting trance with anthems like “I’m in a State of Trance,” will bring his powerful signature sound. Billy Gillies, rising from the UK trance scene, is best known for euphoric melodies and emotional breakdowns. Dart B2B Inafekt promise a relentless dark and techy back-to-back session, while Dan Sushi mixes playful yet heavy-hitting festival tracks.
Trance icons Ferry Corsten, the Dutch maestro behind hits like “Punk” and “Gouryella,” and Kyau & Albert, beloved for their melodic, vocal-focused productions, will elevate the celebration. Push, the Belgian pioneer behind “Universal Nation,” brings classic trance nostalgia, while Sean Tyas delivers his signature driving and high-energy sets. Signum, another Dutch trance staple, will provide euphoric and timeless anthems, and Super8 & Tab, the Finnish duo, continue to push the boundaries of modern uplifting and progressive trance.
Innovative acts like Ginchy, known for energetic and genre-blending sets, and Jesabel, who combines vocal house and progressive vibes, will add fresh energy. J.Ribbon brings a deep, hypnotic touch to the lineup, while Jorn van Deynhoven, a master of emotional trance, is sure to deliver heartfelt performances. Luvstruck creates euphoric, high-BPM tracks designed for peak festival moments, and Marlo, the Australian-Dutch sensation, is known for his signature “tech-energy” sound. Matt Fax will provide melodic and progressive electronica, while Matty Ralph and Newtone bring next-generation talent with modern, club-focused productions. Olivia Lensen’s ethereal style and Ørjan Nilsen’s explosive, anthem-driven sets will keep the energy surging. Ottagon will showcase innovative progressive beats, Sarah de Warren will enchant with live vocals and trance collaborations, and Superstrings will offer a unique experience through live instrumentation, blending electronic and organic sounds.
Together, this lineup creates an unforgettable weekend of music, emotion, and community, perfectly honoring a quarter-century of A State of Trance and its mission to unite the world through the power of dance music.
ASOT 2026 at Rotterdam Ahoy marks a historic milestone, offering fans a chance to unite in celebration of 25 years of trance and progressive music, with an extraordinary lineup and a production designed to capture the essence of the global ASOT family.
Join us for A State of Trance 2026
Celebrating 25 years of ASOT, this festival is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for trance fans worldwide. Whether in person at Rotterdam Ahoy or tuning in via global livestream, the energy, music, and unity will make this an unforgettable chapter in electronic music history.
Tickets and travel packages are available now at www.astateoftrance.com.
About A State Of Trance
A State of Trance is one of the world’s biggest and most popular dance music brands. Built from the ground up since the first episode in 2001, Armin van Buuren’s radio show has given rise to a globally acclaimed label and a premier event series, connecting fans from all over the globe.
The radio show
Currently hosted by the five-time #1 DJ in the world, Armin van Buuren, alongside co-hosts Ruben de Ronde and Ferry Corsten, A State of Trance has evolved from a small radio show into one of the largest dance music hubs in the world. Broadcast to an estimated 40 million listeners across more than 84 countries, 100 FM radio stations and global video livestreams on Facebook, YouTube and Twitch, the radio show won the International Dance Music Award for Best Mix Radio Show ten times between 2007 and the IDMAs’ last award ceremony in 2020.
With weekly guest DJs, recurring XXL episodes, heavily favorited show features—such as the Future Favorite, Tune Of The Week, Progressive Pick and the fan-presented Service For Dreamers—and always two hours of the best in trance and progressive, A State of Trance continues to cater to its fans’ needs as a comprehensive and global music brand with many spin-offs to its name.
The label
The A State of Trance label is home to established artists as well as the scene’s most exciting talents, their music upholding the standard the imprint has come to represent. Many of the releases on the label are also featured on the highly anticipated A State of Trance mix albums, which have defined the sound of trance and progressive biannually since 2004.
The events
A major event within the dance music space, A State of Trance is also the biggest indoor and outdoor event series in the world. The annual A State of Trance event in Utrecht, for instance, consistently treats tens of thousands of visitors to mind-blowing performances from leading DJs in trance and progressive and beyond, with even artists like Adam Beyer, ARTBAT, HI-LO, Joris Voorn, Lilly Palmer, Morten and Miss Monique taking center stage. Fans who aren’t able to attend can tune in via the video and audio livestream at YouTube. A State of Trance isn’t limited to the Netherlands. Drawing hundreds of thousands of dedicated fans every year, the event series has brought unforgettable moments to countless world cities, including Sydney (Australia), Mumbai (India), Miami (United States) and Mexico City (Mexico), not to mention its stage takeovers at leading festivals such as Beyond Wonderland, EDC Las Vegas, Tomorrowland and Ultra Music Festival.
Thanks to the love and loyal support of its fans, A State of Trance gets bigger and better every year. The full lineup for A State of Trance 2026 is here! We can’t wait to celebrate our 25 years anniversary with all of you!💜
Additional info:
