The dust has finally settled over the legendary Hellsend Dirt Compound at Vuurberg Wine Farm as DarkFest 2026 wraps up its 10th anniversary in spectacular fashion. Held in Stellenbosch, this milestone edition delivered the biggest, fastest and most electrifying week in big air mountain biking history.
A Course Built for Progression
With newly refined features and massive additions like the Falcon Heavy line and upgraded Rocket Launcher landing, DarkFest 2026 gave riders the ultimate playground to push the limits of freeride MTB.
Much of this progression is thanks to the expertise of Clemens Kaudela and the dedicated Trails Crew. Their relentless work under the South African sun — shaping lips, packing landings and perfecting every detail — has transformed DarkFest into one of the world’s premier big air events over the past decade.
More Than Just Big Jumps
While the course delivered record-breaking sends, DarkFest has always been about more than just airtime. The 2026 edition brought together a global community of riders, creators and fans, all sharing in a week of non-stop riding, filming and unforgettable moments.
From sunset sessions to the final public day, the atmosphere at the farm was electric — a true celebration of freeride culture.
The DarkFest 2026 Award Winners
After a week of progression and standout performances, the riders crowned the best of the best:
- King of Darkness: Alessio “Cornflakes” Tonoli
- Queen of Darkness: Natasha Bradley
- Insta360 Best Clip: Matt MacDuff (Candy Bar Flip)
- Muc-Off Filthiest Style: Vero Sandler & Alessio Tonoli
- Mavrix Moment: Vaea Verbeeck & Alessio Tonoli
- Kenda Mind Bender: Elias Ruso (Double Flip on Falcon Heavy) & Robin Goomes (Flip Can on Step-Up)
- DeWalt Best Run: Tom Isted & Natasha Bradley
A Decade Milestone
Reflecting on the week, event founder Sam Reynolds expressed his excitement at how far DarkFest has come.
From its humble beginnings to hosting the biggest jumps in mountain biking, the event has grown into a global showcase of progression, creativity and fearless riding.
What’s Next?
While the riding week has ended, the action is far from over. With cameras rolling throughout the event, fans can look forward to the official DarkFest 2026 Highlights Edit — set to showcase the biggest tricks, hardest slams and unforgettable moments from the 10-year celebration.
One thing is certain: DarkFest 2026 has cemented its place in history as a defining moment in big air mountain biking — and a fitting tribute to a decade of pushing limits.