Ibiza Opening Party Weekend 2026 Review
For the first time ever, Ushuaïa, Hi Ibiza, and [UNVRS] all opened on the same weekend. This made it the biggest opening weekend in The Night League’s history. After a long winter, clubbers from around the world came to enjoy 36 hours of non-stop parties at all three venues.
As soon as we arrived, everyone was talking about ticket prices. It’s always true that buying tickets early saves money, and this weekend showed that. Pacha tickets for Marco Carola on Friday reached €230 for their 23rd release. Has this opening weekend set the tone for the summer?
Hi Ibiza started Saturday night with East End Dubs, Martinez Brothers, and Joseph Capriati. On Sunday, Francis Mercier and Hugel played at Ushuaïa. The party kept going at [UNVRS] with CamelPhat, Black Coffee, Carl Cox, and Paco Osuna, ending with a daylight set that lasted until midday Monday. Hi Ibiza’s lineup set the stage for its 2026 season, showcasing new residencies and fresh Ibiza talent. [UNVRS] featured big-name DJs and large crowds, yet the venue still felt spacious.
With all-night tickets costing over €120, sunrise passes at €70, and 36 hours of parties to choose from, deciding where and when to go was tougher than ever. We chose Ushuaïa first, took a quick nap, then headed to [UNVRS] from sunrise until the end. Ushuaïa was the busiest we’ve ever seen. Hugel drew a large American crowd, many of whom were visiting Ibiza for the first time. We love Ushuaïa’s festival vibe and always find space to dance and move around.
Francis Mercier took the stage right after being interviewed at the Tomorrowland store for their social media. The Haitian DJ and producer had everyone dancing to tracks from Afrojack to a Rihanna ‘Diamonds’ remix. As always at Ushuaïa, there were flames and CO₂ cannons, making for a high-energy set from day into night.
It’s sure to be the song of the summer.
Ten years after his Ushuaïa debut opening for David Guetta, Hugel headlined the night. His Hi Ibiza residency, ‘Make the Girls Dance,’ was reflected in the show, with dancers behind the decks and a high-energy set. With dancers, lasers, and live bongo playing, Ushuaïa was buzzing, and the crowd loved every moment. The highlight was when he played last summer’s hit, ‘I Adore You.’ Everyone sang along, and it felt like the whole crowd was part of the song.
The night finished with an ANOTR medley featuring ‘Talk to You,’ a track we heard everywhere during Ibiza’s 2026 opening weekend. With its catchy energy and sing-along vibe, it’s sure to be in the running for the song of summer 2026.
We felt the excitement right away as we walked into [UNVRS] to the unmistakable sound of Black Coffee. With sunrise tickets, you usually face a packed crowd at the entrance. If you haven’t been before, the club can be tricky to navigate, and squeezing down the main staircase to the busy dancefloor isn’t easy. The staircase gives a great view of the main room and amazing light shows without needing a VIP ticket, so it’s always crowded with people trying to capture the perfect video.
Our favourite spot has always been the Bunker. We were lucky to be among the first to experience it on [UNVRS]’s opening night, and it’s still our go-to place for feel-good dancing. A highlight of the night for us was seeing Carl Cox, who never disappoints. Every time he grabbed the mic, the crowd went wild. He was the perfect DJ to lead us into sunrise as the big blinds opened and sunlight poured onto the dancefloor. This unforgettable moment only happens twice a year at the opening and closing parties, and it’s definitely not to be missed.
That’s when you can get as close as you want to the DJ, find space to dance around you, and, with everyone’s phone batteries dead, fully immerse yourself in the music and the moment. Walking out of the club into the midday sunlight is an experience in itself.
This was our third Ibiza opening weekend, and it was easily our favourite. When we visited the island for a few days in March, we could already feel the excitement building for this weekend. If this opening is any sign, Ibiza 2026 will be an unforgettable summer.
IMS Legend Awards winner Yann Pissenem spent the weekend mixing and chatting with clubbers in the crowd at all The Night League venues. A big muchas gracias to Pat Quintero and The Night League for their hospitality during the opening weekend.
Words by Tom and Rachel Rudkin.
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