Eric Clapton’s Beloved Crossroads Festival Returns in 2026
via "ericclapton" / Youtube
Eric Clapton has officially revealed plans for the 2026 edition of his Crossroads Guitar Festival, assembling an impressive roster of guitar legends and contemporary talents. Among those joining the bill are Pete Townshend of The Who, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, and blues icon Buddy Guy, alongside a wide array of celebrated performers.
The festival is set to return to Texas, debuting in Austin on September 26–27 at the Moody Center. Clapton himself will headline both nights. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale April 3 at 10 a.m. local time, with additional details available through the event’s official website.
Michael Owens, the venue’s Senior Vice President of Entertainment, praised the upcoming event in a statement, calling it “one of the most iconic events” the arena has hosted since opening in 2022. He added that the festival captures “the very best of live music,” uniting top-tier artists and passionate fans in Austin—widely known as the Live Music Capital of the World.
A Diverse Lineup of Guitar Greats
Clapton will close each evening of the festival, joined by an eclectic mix of returning favorites and new additions. Performers include the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Joe Bonamassa, the Del McCoury Band, John Mayer, and Jimmie Vaughan.
Additional artists slated to appear include Trey Anastasio of Phish, Marcus King, Taj Mahal, Sierra Hull, Sonny Landreth, Tommy Emmanuel, Julian Lage, Keb’ Mo’, Ben Haggard, John McLaughlin, Robert Randolph, Pedro Martins, Dirk Powell, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Daniel Santiago, and Bradley Walker & Brothers of the Heart—making for one of the festival’s most diverse lineups to date.
Music with a Mission
Beyond the music, the Crossroads Guitar Festival continues to support a meaningful cause. Proceeds from the event benefit Clapton’s Crossroads Centre Antigua, a treatment and education facility he founded in 1998 to help individuals and families affected by substance and alcohol dependency.
Clapton’s commitment to the cause is deeply personal. Having overcome his own struggles with addiction in the 1980s, he has since dedicated significant time and resources to helping others access recovery support.
Additional 2026 Tour Dates Announced
In addition to the festival, Clapton has lined up a brief series of U.S. tour dates leading up to the Austin shows. The run begins September 6 in Detroit and concludes September 17 in Kansas City, serving as a lead-in to the Crossroads performances. Jimmie Vaughan will join him as the opening act for all scheduled dates.
