When the Dutch Grand Prix roars into Zandvoort for the final time in 2026, the engines won’t be the only thing electrifying the seaside circuit. Dutch superstar Martin Garrix, the world’s No.1 DJ according to DJ Mag’s 2024 Top 100 DJs poll, has been announced as the headlining act for the last-ever edition of the race — a fitting send-off for an event that has captured global attention since its return to Formula 1.
For Garrix, the announcement is more than another booking. It represents a personal and national moment:
“The energy of the Dutch Grand Prix is incredible. As a huge F1 fan, it feels truly special to close this chapter and celebrate with fans from all over the world in the Netherlands. I’ve attended Zandvoort multiple times, and the energy from the crowd is unmatched.”
Garrix has long blurred the line between DJ booth and global stage, making him an ideal choice to soundtrack the emotional farewell of a race that has united racing fans, music lovers, and a country’s pride.
First staged in 1952, the Dutch Grand Prix has been a cornerstone of motorsport history, but after 1985 it vanished from the calendar until its much-celebrated return in 2021. Zandvoort’s narrow curves, coastal winds, and passionate fans turned each race weekend into a festival of orange, boosted by home hero Max Verstappen, who repeatedly delivered victories on his home soil.
Despite its popularity, Formula 1 has opted to remove the Dutch Grand Prix from its schedule after 2026, citing calendar reshuffles and global expansion. That makes the upcoming farewell not just another race, but the end of an era.
Jan Lammers, sporting director of the Dutch Grand Prix, framed the decision to bring Garrix onboard as part of creating a total experience:
“The Dutch Grand Prix is about much more than racing alone; it’s a total experience. With Martin Garrix, we add an unparalleled musical spectacle. He’s not only one of the world’s biggest artists, but also an icon representing the Netherlands on the global stage—just like Max Verstappen does in Formula 1.”
Ticket requests for the 2026 edition are open, with allocations made through a draw. High demand is inevitable, given not only the race’s final status but also the cultural pull of Garrix’s involvement.
The announcement caps a busy stretch for Garrix. He recently celebrated a decade of his Ushuaïa Ibiza residency, released his first-ever collaboration with trance legend Armin van Buuren (“Sleepless Nights”), and continues to headline festivals from Miami to Tokyo. Adding the final Dutch Grand Prix to his résumé solidifies his status not just as a Dutch export, but as a cultural ambassador for the Netherlands on the world stage.
With Verstappen embodying Dutch dominance in Formula 1 and Garrix shaping the sound of a generation in electronic music, the final Dutch Grand Prix will serve as a symbolic handoff between two global icons — one revving engines, the other dropping beats.
When the sun sets over Zandvoort for the last time in 2026, Martin Garrix’s set will ensure that the Dutch Grand Prix doesn’t just end with speed — it ends with history.
