The 12th edition of the Ultra Europe festival will take place from July 10 to 12 in Split's Park of Youth, with organizers expecting over 150,000 visitors. Ultra Europe has been held in Split since 2013, establishing itself as one of the largest and most recognizable music festivals in this part of Europe, with a strong international brand and significant impact on the pre-season and broader tourism offerings of the city.

Mayor of Split, Tomislav Šuta, stated at a press conference that the festival receives strong support from the City of Split, the Croatian Government, the Croatian Tourist Board, and various county and city institutions. He emphasized that Ultra Europe represents one of the key promotional events for Split and Croatia, affirming the city's status as one of the leading festival and tourism destinations.

"The city of Split allocates 250,000 euros annually for festival support, including funds budgeted for 2026. The Government of the Republic of Croatia has secured a total of 2.2 million euros for the period from 2025 to 2028. These funds are exclusively used for promoting Split and Croatia at the European and global levels, adding extra value to our city and country," Šuta said.

He highlighted that the festival consistently demonstrates a high level of organization and safety, significantly contributing to the tourism season and the economy through revenues in hospitality, gastronomy, and tax income. It is anticipated to have multimillion-dollar impacts. In this context, he emphasized the importance of coordination among city services, the police, and emergency services, as well as the adaptation of traffic infrastructure to ensure the city's smooth operation during the event.

Calvin Harris Headlining This Year's Edition

Organizer of the festival, Joe Bašić, announced that one of the main performers for this year's edition will be Calvin Harris, whose appearance was negotiated three years ago. "We're talking about one of the most sought-after global DJs who can sell out a stadium of over 60,000 people," Bašić said.

Bašić also mentioned that Fisher will perform at Ultra for the first time this year, and noted that international guests typically spend around $5,000 during their stay, while domestic visitors spend about $2,000. He added that hotel capacities in Split and its surroundings are traditionally filled up to 90% during the festival, with reservations closing weeks in advance.

"In terms of investment, it is estimated that this year's 12th edition of Ultra Europe in Split has seen an investment of around 10 million euros. Interest in tickets is exceptionally high. Prices range from 129 euros for a three-day ticket to 449 euros for VIP packages. We are particularly pleased with the data showing a 30% increase in the sales of VIP and VVIP tickets, and it looks very likely that the VVIP packages will be sold out earlier in the festival's history," Bašić said.

He further noted that there is increasing demand for higher-category hotel accommodation and that new direct flight routes, including announcements of routes from the USA, could contribute to the long-term growth of arrivals by up to 30%.

Director of the Split Tourist Board, Alijana Vukšić, emphasized that Ultra Europe is one of the most important events for promoting Split and that educational and promotional campaigns aimed at responsible visitor behavior and the preservation of the destination are being conducted this year as well. She also stressed the importance of sustainable waste management, enhanced cleanliness measures, and raising awareness about the maintenance of public spaces during the festival.