Sziget Festival saved: Shorter, bolder, but star acts are hard to lock in

After an unexpected shake-up left the future of Hungary’s most famous music festival in jeopardy, Sziget founder Károly Gerendai has returned to take the reins, promising a revitalised event for 2026: albeit a shorter, five-day edition.

From sudden crisis to comeback

In autumn 2025, the festival faced an unprecedented crisis when its foreign owner, Luxembourg-based Superstruct Entertainment (recently acquired by the American KKR investment fund), announced it would no longer risk operating in Hungary. The choice for Sziget was stark: either close for good or return to the founder who had left the organisation eight years ago.

For Gerendai, the decision was far from simple. “It was like a lightning strike from a clear sky,” he told Blikk. “I never thought I’d come back. Suddenly, the responsibility of ensuring Sziget’s survival landed squarely on my shoulders.”

Negotiations were rapid but intense. Within weeks, a letter of intent was signed, contingent on agreement over conditions including long-term planning rights, essential for attracting investors. “I had to understand what went wrong under the previous management and how to put the festival back on a stable path,” Gerendai said.

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A festival refocused

Financial reality has dictated the festival’s new format. “I inherited an extremely loss-making Sziget,” Gerendai explained. “The five-day schedule will help us save on venue and programme costs, which can then be reinvested into upgrades and development.” Despite the shorter duration, the festival aims to return with a richer programme.

A key focus will be on Hungarian performers, including a dedicated stage in collaboration with Budapest Park, while Gerendai emphasises the importance of multi-generational appeal. The festival will also showcase a wider range of musical genres, including rock and world music, not just mainstream pop and electronic acts. Retro performers, such as György Korda and Klári Balázs, are also under consideration.

Strategic lessons from the past

Gerendai pointed to strategic missteps by Superstruct, which had approached Sziget as part of a broader international festival portfolio. “They tried to apply a uniform model across 80 festivals, but Sziget’s success has always stemmed from being different,” he noted. Under previous management, this approach eroded some of the unique qualities that made the festival attractive to international audiences.

“It’s no longer enough to sell tickets based on big-name acts,” he said. “The true appeal lies in the Sziget experience: its unique community atmosphere, cultural diversity, and holiday-like feel.”

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Navigating politics and public expectation

The festival’s survival also depended on navigating political hurdles. Initially, the Budapest City Council delayed approvals for site usage, prompting speculation that the festival might be blocked. Gerendai believes public reaction quickly shifted the political calculus. “Policymakers realised that the disadvantages of cancelling Sziget would outweigh any perceived benefits,” he said. With last year’s 11 millionth visitor, including millions of Hungarians, the festival is deeply ingrained in the national consciousness.

The road ahead

Sziget 2026 will run from 11–15 August, featuring the existing management and organisational team. Gerendai is actively seeking investors from among the festival’s major partners but remains cautious. “The goal is to stabilise Sziget financially and set it on a trajectory for sustainable growth,” he explained.

Even amidst intense pressure, Gerendai’s focus remains on delivering a vibrant, international festival that honours Sziget’s legacy while evolving to meet new audience expectations. “This festival isn’t just for Hungarians; it’s one of the world’s top ten festivals,” he said. “Its success depends on attracting international visitors while still serving local audiences with diverse, high-quality programming.”

While the founder admits he is operating at his personal limits, his return promises to secure Sziget’s place in Hungary’s cultural landscape and on the international stage for years to come.