Electrisize Festival Draws Record 55,000 to Erkelenz

Electrisize Festival closed its seventeenth edition with 55,000 festivalgoers, more than 150 artists across eight stages, and three full days of programming at Haus Hohenbusch in Erkelenz, Germany. The 2026 event marked ten years of Hardsize, the festival's hardstyle stage, and fifteen years of Tapuya, its techno stage.

Eight stages, from hardstyle to live rock

The Mainstage featured towering spires in white, purple and orange with fog and pyro throughout the day. The Hardsize Stage brought out Brennan Heart, Sickmode, Ran-D and Coone for the ten year anniversary, with MC Livid hosting the stage. A special History of Hardsize set featured Crest B2B Dropixx B2B Resensed playing classics from the stage's decade-long run.

Coone reflected on the anniversary: "Wow, it was absolutely packed. I think they should turn the Mainstage into the Hardsize Stage next year. It was that busy. Every time I come to Electrisize Festival, I ask myself, can we make it even better than last year? And yes, it gets better every single year."

Tapuya, the techno stage, introduced a new industrial concept this year. Stage Producer Jan Weber redesigned the setup to wrap around the DJ booth with different levels, allowing attendees close access without VIP passes. "You don't need VIP access to be right in the middle of the action," Weber said. The stage also featured a backstage swimming pool.

New partnerships and experience areas

The Valley of Sound Stage debuted this year through a partnership with the Austrian festival of the same name, bringing a smaller, intimate feel to the grounds. The Source, a new experience area, hosted workshops ranging from DIY pearl bracelets to Root and Bloom sessions, with every slot fully booked.

Thunder, an indoor stage designed to look like a house, hosted live rock and metal bands throughout the weekend. Camp Asbach, a bar and stage built from a camper van, played tech house and deep house.

Infrastructure and camping

The festival's Electricity Campsite included an on-site stage and a full grocery store stocked with supplies including meat for grilling. Hammocks and chill areas were scattered throughout the grounds, with pop-ups including a pull-up challenge from XL Nutrition.

Electrisize provided shuttle times, travel routes, and the full timetable through its app and website. The festival took place over three days at Haus Hohenbusch in Erkelenz, Germany.