EXIT x Plus Starlight festival in partnership with Visa will take place from October 8 to 11, 2026 in celebration of Egypt’s position as a global cultural and travel destination
Visa, a world leader in digital payments, today announced its title sponsorship of Starlight Festival In partnership with Visa, the first-ever Egypt edition of the globally renowned EXIT festival experience, set to take place October 8–11, 2026, with landmark performances and experiences staged near the iconic Great Pyramids of Giza.
The partnership reflects Visa’s continued commitment to supporting Egypt’s position as one of the world’s most compelling travel destinations, a country where ancient heritage, contemporary culture, hospitality, music, and commerce come together to create unforgettable experiences for visitors from Egypt, the region, and around the world.
A partner of the EXIT festival for the past eight years, Visa will now help bring to life an immersive festival experience that connects global music fans with Egypt’s vibrant cultural landscape. The partnership aims to support the wider tourism ecosystem including travel and hospitality players, local merchants, small businesses, restaurants, transport providers, and experience-led commerce.
Starlight Festival In partnership with Visa is part of EXIT’s international expansion and will introduce a multi-day festival concept in Egypt, combining world-class electronic music, cultural programming, and destination experiences. The festival is expected to attract regional and international audiences, reinforcing Egypt’s appeal as a destination for global cultural events and next-generation tourism.
Commenting on the announcement, Tarek Abdalla, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa (CEMEA), said:
“Egypt has always stood at the intersection of history, culture, and human connection, and today, it is also becoming a powerful stage for world-class experiences that inspire travel and unlock economic opportunity. As partners of the EXIT festival for eight years, we are proud to support a landmark cultural moment that brings global audiences to Egypt and celebrates the country as a destination where culture meets commerce. This partnership reflects Visa’s belief that major cultural platforms can do more than entertain, they can support tourism, enable local businesses, and create meaningful connections between people, places, and economies.” Abdalla added: “Earlier this year, Visa’s Chief Marketing Officer, Frank Cooper III, visited Egypt and spoke about the role culture plays in shaping commerce, communities, and brand impact. Starlight Festival in partnership with Visa brings that narrative to life in one of the world’s most iconic settings, demonstrating how music, travel, digital payments, and local enterprise can come together to create value far beyond the festival grounds.”
Dušan Kovačević, founder and CEO of EXIT Festival added: "It is a great honor to bring a premium festival concept to one of the most extraordinary landmarks in human history. Throughout its history, EXIT has combined world-class entertainment with a strong social mission, connecting audiences from more than 100 countries and showcasing destinations, cultures and values on a global stage. This event will continue that tradition by celebrating Egypt’s remarkable cultural heritage and sharing it with audiences around the world.
Starlight Festival is the newest chapter in our eight-year partnership with Visa, a collaboration that began at EXIT Festival and has since expanded across multiple festivals, markets and initiatives. What started as a sponsorship has evolved into a true strategic partnership built on trust, shared values, innovation and a common vision of connecting people through unforgettable experiences.
Bringing this partnership to Egypt, with Visa as the General Partner of our first-ever multi-stage festival in the country, represents a major milestone for both organizations. It demonstrates how a long-term collaboration can grow beyond individual events into a platform capable of creating experiences with global cultural and tourism impact."
Visa’s sponsorship underscores its broader role in enabling seamless, secure, and convenient digital payment experiences for travelers, merchants, and tourism partners. As Egypt continues to invest in tourism growth and destination-led experiences, Visa remains focused on supporting the digital infrastructure that helps visitors explore, spend, and connect with confidence.
Through its global payments network, partnerships, and brand platforms, Visa continues to help advance travel and tourism by making commerce more accessible, inclusive, and frictionless. In Egypt, that means supporting the merchants and businesses that power the visitor economy, from hotels and tour operators to food and beverage outlets, artisans, entertainment venues, and local entrepreneurs.
Starlight Festival, In partnership with Visa, will take place from October 8–11, 2026, with key festival moments near the Great Pyramids. More details on artist line-up, ticketing, Visa cardholder experiences, and festival programming will be announced in due course.
