A State of Trance celebrates 25 years

In February 2026, Rotterdam once again becomes the global capital of trance as A State of Trance returns to Rotterdam Ahoy for a very special occasion: the festival’s 25th anniversary. On 27 and 28 February, thousands of fans from around the world will gather for what is set to be the most ambitious edition in ASOT history.

Founded and curated by Dutch DJ and producer Armin van Buuren, A State of Trance has grown from a radio show into one of the most influential brands in electronic music. This milestone year is not just a celebration of the music, but of the worldwide community that has formed around it over the past quarter century.

A line-up made for the history books

The first wave of artists already hints at the scale of this anniversary edition. A special back-to-back-to-back set will see Armin van Buuren, Oliver Heldens and Maddix share the decks in a rare joint performance. Fans can also look forward to sets from Cosmic Gate, while a strong Dutch presence comes from names such as Benwal and Tjade. Other artists announced include Estiva, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Korolova, Laura van Dam and Mauro Picotto, with more names to follow later this year.

One of the most anticipated moments of the weekend will be Armin van Buuren’s exclusive five-hour headline set. Designed as a musical journey through 25 years of A State of Trance, the performance will blend iconic tracks, personal highlights and special back-to-back moments, creating a true time-travel experience on the dance floor.

A multi-room experience with cutting-edge production

As festival-goers have come to expect, ASOT 2026 will take over Ahoy with multiple stages and a wide range of trance sounds, from classic anthems to forward-thinking new styles. State-of-the-art visuals, immersive stage design and next-level production will bring the music to life, honouring the festival’s legacy while looking firmly to the future.

According to Armin van Buuren, this edition is about more than just performances. It’s a shared celebration of the journey fans and artists have taken together over the last 25 years — and a look ahead to what the future of trance can be.

High demand for tickets

Unsurprisingly, interest in this anniversary edition is sky-high. Weekend tickets are already in their final sales phase, and many travel and hotel packages have been snapped up. While the official ASOT hotel has sold out, additional accommodation options and special packages are still available for those planning a full ASOT weekend in Rotterdam.

With its rich history, international crowd and reputation for unforgettable nights, A State of Trance 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark moment not just for trance, but for Rotterdam’s event calendar as well.

A State of Trance 2026
📍 Rotterdam Ahoy
📅 Friday 27 February & Saturday 28 February 2026 More information and tickets can be found via the official A State of Trance website.

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