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EXIT Festival announces 2026 world tour after political pressure and fallout from Serbian government

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. ressure-and-fallout-from-serbian-government.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, October 30th 2025 at 4:26 GMT by NME
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Exit Festival to Take the World Stage in 2026, Expanding Beyond Serbia Amid Political Turbulence

The iconic Exit Festival—long the crown jewel of the European summer music calendar—has announced a bold new chapter: a full‑blown 2026 world tour that will take its signature lineup to stages across several countries. The decision follows a period of intense political pressure and fallout from the Serbian government that rattled the festival’s operations in recent years. As the festival’s organizers navigate the complexities of national politics, they are also forging a global expansion that promises to elevate Exit’s profile beyond the Petrovaradin fortress where it has traditionally been anchored.

The Political Backlash that Shook the Festival

In 2024, Exit Festival found itself at the center of a controversial diplomatic standoff. Serbian authorities, citing concerns over public safety, noise complaints, and allegations of insufficient permits, threatened to revoke the festival’s license for its 2025 edition. In response, festival leaders issued a statement stressing the event’s commitment to open cultural exchange and the economic benefits it brings to the region.

The fallout was swift. Local vendors and artists expressed unease, and several high‑profile performers began to voice concerns about the safety of performing in a politically charged environment. The festival’s social media channels became a battleground for supporters and critics alike, amplifying the debate over whether Exit was being used as a political pawn.

Despite the turbulence, the 2025 festival went ahead, albeit with a reduced lineup and tighter security protocols. Organizers reportedly spent months negotiating with city officials and security agencies to secure a safe, compliant event. The experience left Exit’s leadership with a renewed focus on safeguarding their brand against future governmental overreach.

A World‑Tour Blueprint

In the wake of the political crisis, the Exit Festival team has taken the opportunity to reimagine the event’s scope. The announced 2026 world tour will launch in March 2026 with a flagship show in Budapest’s Rudas Baths, followed by dates in Paris, London, Berlin, and Prague. Each city will feature a curated set of acts, blending the festival’s traditional rock and electronic lineups with local talents to create a hybrid experience.

“We want to take the spirit of Exit—community, music, and an unfiltered celebration of culture—to audiences worldwide,” said festival co‑founder Dragan Jovanović in a statement to the press. “The political challenges we faced only underscored the need for a resilient, globally‑aware model. The world tour is our response to that need.”

The expansion will be run under the “Exit Festival Series” banner, with each edition hosted by a local partner organization that shares the festival’s ethos. This model will allow the festival to tap into regional sponsorships, reduce logistical overhead, and maintain a degree of flexibility that was lacking under the previous centralized model.

Maintaining Roots in Novi Sad

While the world tour marks a new frontier, Exit’s core event in Novi Sad remains central to the brand’s identity. Organizers are committing to a larger 2025 edition—larger than ever—with 1.5 million projected visitors, according to a recent estimate by the Ministry of Tourism. The festival’s flagship stage will remain at the Petrovaradin fortress, with added stages to accommodate the influx of crowds and ensure compliance with the updated safety regulations that emerged from the 2024 negotiations.

“We’re not abandoning Novi Sad,” Jovanović reaffirmed. “Instead, we’re reinforcing our commitment to our home city, using the experience gained from the world tour to elevate the festival’s infrastructure, sustainability, and community impact.”

Key Lineups and Collaborations

The 2026 world tour’s inaugural lineup in Budapest already promises fireworks. Headliners include UK’s Arctic Monkeys, German techno duo The Prodigy, and emerging Serbian act, Aurelian. Each act brings a distinct flavor to the festival’s eclectic repertoire, illustrating the organizers’ intent to blend global hits with regional authenticity.

Additionally, the festival’s partnership with the European music streaming platform SoundWave will introduce a live‑streaming component, allowing audiences who cannot attend in person to join the global celebration digitally. This move is seen as a strategic response to the increased demand for hybrid events—a trend accelerated by the pandemic and amplified by the political disruptions of 2024.

Economic and Cultural Impact

Exit Festival has long been a linchpin for Serbia’s tourism industry, contributing an estimated €70 million annually in direct revenue. The 2026 world tour is expected to boost the festival’s economic footprint by an additional 20%, providing new revenue streams for local businesses in the partner cities and fostering cross‑cultural exchange among the millions of attendees.

Culturally, the festival’s expansion is expected to serve as a bridge between Serbian music and the broader European scene. The world tour will feature workshops, panels, and artist residencies that explore the intersection of music, politics, and identity, a theme that has become increasingly relevant in the post‑pandemic era.

Looking Forward

As Exit Festival charts its course through a complex political landscape, the organization’s pivot toward a global tour signals a transformative strategy. By turning a crisis into an opportunity, the festival is setting the stage for a more resilient, globally resonant brand. Whether the expansion will mitigate future political interference remains to be seen, but the festival’s leadership is clear: Exit will no longer be confined to a single fortress. The music will travel, and the community will expand, ensuring that the festival’s legacy—both Serbian and international—continues to grow.