Eric Clapton Reveals Plans for 2026 Crossroads Guitar Festival With Special Guest Appearance

Eric Clapton has announced the return of his celebrated Crossroads Guitar Festival, confirming that the seventh edition will take place September 26–27, 2026, at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. The two-day event will once again gather some of the world’s most respected guitar players for a weekend focused on live collaboration and charitable work.

The festival, founded by Clapton, serves as a benefit concert supporting the Crossroads Centre Antigua, a treatment and education facility he helped establish in 1998 for people struggling with drug and alcohol dependency. Since its launch, the event has become one of the most recognized guitar-focused gatherings in modern music.

A Festival Built Around Guitar Legends

This year’s lineup includes several major names across rock and blues. Among those scheduled to perform are Pete Townshend of The Who, ZZ Top guitarist Billy F Gibbons, John Mayer, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Joe Bonamassa, Gary Clark Jr., Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan, Marcus King, and others. Clapton himself is expected to perform on both nights.

The 2026 edition will also mark Townshend’s first appearance at the Crossroads Guitar Festival, adding a notable moment for longtime fans. New participants such as Trey Anastasio, Tommy Emmanuel, and Julian Lage will join returning artists who have appeared at earlier festivals, continuing the event’s tradition of mixing established performers with newer voices.

Supporting Recovery Through Music

The Crossroads Guitar Festival has always carried a charitable mission. All proceeds support the Crossroads Centre Antigua, which provides residential treatment programs based on a 12-step recovery model. Clapton has funded the center partly through these concerts since the first benefit show in 1999.

Over the years, the festival has been held in cities including New York, Dallas, Chicago-area Bridgeview, Los Angeles, and now Austin. Each edition features artists personally selected by Clapton, often leading to rare collaborations and extended jam sessions on stage.

What Clapton Says About the 2026 Event

Clapton shared his excitement about bringing the festival back, highlighting both the performers and the purpose behind the concerts.

“We’re thrilled to bring the Crossroads Guitar Festival back to Austin and to welcome so many incredible artists to the stage. This year’s lineup is a true celebration of the guitar and the incredible talent that continues to shape the instrument’s legacy.”

The guitarist has long described the festival as a way to unite musicians while raising awareness about addiction recovery. Past editions have featured artists such as Jeff Beck, B.B. King, Sheryl Crow, and Vince Gill, helping build the event’s strong reputation among fans and players alike.

Tickets for the 2026 Crossroads Guitar Festival will go on sale to the general public on Friday, April 4, 2026, at 10 a.m. local time, with additional performer details expected to be released through the festival’s official website in the coming months.