Darkfest 2026: 10 Years Of Going Bigger Than Ever

If there’s one event that defines the absolute limit of freeride mountain biking… It’s Darkfest.

And 2026 didn’t disappoint.

Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, this year’s event returned to the iconic Hellsend Dirt Compound in Stellenbosch, South Africa - bringing together the world’s best riders to push the sport even further.

Darkfest has always been about one thing: Going bigger than anyone thought possible.

This year was no different.

Riders were sending it on some of the biggest features in MTB - massive step-ups, huge gaps, and lines that demand total commitment.

Where Darkfest Came From

Darkfest didn’t just appear out of nowhere. It was built out of a vision for something better.

As Sam Reynolds explains:

“I’d done probably eight years of Crankworx and slopestyle events.
It got to the point where it was the same series - same airports, same courses - and they weren’t really progressing the sport how I wanted to see it progress.

So we took it into our own hands.
We were like… I’m pretty sure we can build bigger jumps, and do it in a safer environment.

No pressure from TV schedules.
No ‘you have to drop in at this exact time’ -  whether it’s windy, or the sun’s in your eyes.

For us, it was about the video at the end of the week - not when or where it happens.

In a contest, you get one chance to show your best.
But filming? You get as many tries as you want.

That’s what we wanted - to push the sport, and make it safer at the same time.
If you’re not feeling it, you don’t ride.
And when you are ready… you send it.”

Darkfest 2026 brought together some of the biggest names in freeride. Like Sam Reynolds, Theo Erlangsen, and Bienve Aguado. Riders who are willing to push past limits - and redefine what’s possible on 2 wheels.