AFROSOUL Festival is set to return in 2026 with a bigger vision, expanding beyond New Zealand for the first time as it makes its Australian debut with a star-studded lineup led by Fireboy DML, Omah Lay, Timbaland, and Stefflon Don.
The festival, co-founded by Nigerian-New Zealand UFC champion Israel Adesanya and entertainment entrepreneur Mitch Lowe, will take place across two cities in October. It kicks off at GO Media Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, on October 10, before heading to Eatons Hill in Brisbane, Australia, on October 11 for its inaugural Australian edition.
The expansion marks a major milestone for the festival, which launched successfully in Auckland in 2025 with Burna Boy as its headline act.
AFROSOUL's Growing Global Footprint
Originally conceived as a celebration of African music and culture for diaspora communities across the Southern Hemisphere, AFROSOUL has quickly grown into a platform showcasing the global influence of Afrobeats and contemporary African creativity.
According to the organisers, the festival aims to create "a world-class African and Afrobeats celebration for the Australian diaspora while welcoming audiences from every background."
Beyond music, AFROSOUL combines food, fashion, dance, art, and cultural experiences, positioning itself as more than a concert but a full celebration of African identity and heritage.
Speaking about the festival's expansion, Israel Adesanya described the journey as a significant step forward.
"We started off local, now we're going global," Adesanya said in a statement. "Feeding souls through music, dance, food, and much more. There's nothing quite like the energy felt at AFROSOUL, the sights, sounds, tastes, and movement come together to share a true slice of Africa, all on the other side of the world."
Fireboy DML and Omah Lay Lead Star-Studded Lineup
This year's lineup reflects AFROSOUL's ambition to blend Afrobeats with international talent.
Joining Fireboy DML and Omah Lay are legendary American producer Timbaland and British-Jamaican rapper Stefflon Don. The festival will also feature performances from dance crew Jabbawockeez, Jamaican dancehall star Kranium, Ghanaian DJ and producer Juls, alongside several Australian-based performers.
The diverse lineup reinforces AFROSOUL's mission of bringing together artists from across genres while celebrating African excellence on a global stage.
More Than a Music Festival
Unlike traditional music festivals, AFROSOUL places equal emphasis on community and culture.
Organisers describe the event as a space where African diaspora communities can reconnect with their roots while introducing wider audiences to African traditions through music, cuisine, fashion, dance, and visual arts.
The expansion into Australia also reflects the growing popularity of Afrobeats across the region, where African music continues to attract larger audiences and mainstream recognition.
With two host cities, an expanded international lineup, and a broader cultural offering, AFROSOUL 2026 is shaping up to be its biggest edition yet.
General ticket sales begin on July 23, following a pre-sale scheduled for July 22, as organisers prepare to welcome thousands of fans to what promises to be one of the Southern Hemisphere's biggest celebrations of African music and culture.
