Take Part
Budapest, 8-11 April 2026
Shaping the future of art music together with professionals from 50 countries.
Classical:NEXT, the largest international gathering for art music professionals is coming to Budapest 2026, bringing together the brightest minds, the most forward-looking music, the boldest ideas, and exciting new projects in innovative and engaging conference formats.
At the heart of Classical:NEXT is a vibrant community, bringing together innovators from every corner of the classical and art music world. Artists, label managers, presenters, publishers, tech and media pioneers, entrepreneurs and agents send proposals, and an independent, international jury carefully curates the programme, ensuring a fair and balanced selection process.
Learn more about Classical:NEXT, and how you can join us below!
Stay tuned for registrations opening in November 2025.
Why attend Classical:NEXT?
Your Benefits
Labels and Distributors
Gain strategic knowledge, expand your network, and identify new business opportunities and ideas
Presenters
Discuss and debate relevant issues, connect to international colleagues, and streamline operations
Tech & Start-ups
Connect with the entire classical and art music ecosystem, find new clients and partners
Conservatoires and Higher Education
Gather insights to offer your students the tools they need to succeed
Media & Journalists
Gain a comprehensive overview of the international art music scene in just a few days
Publishers
Expand your catalogue, establish strategic partnerships and promote your composers
Exhibitors
Gain visibility and make connections in the most popular part of the event
Pricing
Per-person delegate rates for Classical:NEXT 2026.
Registration starts soon, stay tuned for updates.
Smart
until 9 Jan 2026
€370
€270
€270
€270
€100
Early
until 27 Feb 2026
€420
€300
€300
€300
€100
Late
Until 20 Mar 2026
€460
€330
€330
€330
€100
Last Minute & Walk-Up
Until 9 April 2026
€490
€360
€360
€360
€100
*Please note: All prices exclude VAT and credit card fees. For delegates, VAT will be applied in accordance with EU regulations, with a rate of 27% in Hungary.
Exhibitor Packages 2026
Please note, rate changes apply to Exhibitor Packages for Classical:NEXT 2026.
Smart Rate
Until 9 Jan, 2026
Small Booth Exhibitor Package
2m x 2m stand + 1 admission pass*
Large Booth Exhibitor Package
2m x 3m stand + 1 admission pass*
Early Rate
Until 27 Feb 2026
Small Booth Exhibitor Package
2m x 2m stand + 1 admission pass*
Large Booth Exhibitor Package
2m x 3m stand + 1 admission pass*
Late Rate
Until 20 Mar 2026
Small Booth Exhibitor Package
2m x 2m stand + 1 admission pass*
Large Booth Exhibitor Package
2m x 3m stand + 1 admission pass*
Last Minute
From 21 Mar 2026
Small Booth Exhibitor Package
2m x 2m stand + 1 admission pass*
Large Booth Exhibitor Package
2m x 3m stand + 1 admission pass*
* Please note:
- All prices are exclusive of VAT and do not include credit card fees. For Exhibitor Packages, VAT will be applied in accordance with EU regulations, the current VAT rate in Germany is 19%.
- Each Exhibitor Package includes min. 1 admission pass, further passes can be added at the Third person price.
- Additional booths can be added to the Exhibitor Package. Click here to find out more
Registration
What does registration include?
The Classical:NEXT registration includes the following:
- Full Event Access: access to all Classical:NEXT 2026 events, including the Expo, Conference, Showcases, Welcome Reception, Opening Ceremony, and the Innovation Award.
- Access to C:N Connect: a one-year membership for the full C:N Connect, the online database and platform of the Classical:NEXT Community.
Exhibitors
To book an exhibitor package with an expo stand (2x3m or 2x2m), simply select any free stand from the map during the online registration. Click here to find out more.
Speakers and Showcase Artists
All invited Classical:NEXT conference speakers will be registered free of charge. Classical:NEXT showcase artists plus one artist representative (if applicable) will be registered free of charge and will have access to all features of the event on all days. If you have submitted a proposal you will be informed in due time whether or not it has been selected so that you can still enjoy the smart rate if you have not been selected this time.
Student registration
We are keen to support the next generation of music professionals! That’s why Classical:NEXT offers a special student rate of €100 + VAT, subject to capacity. This ticket will give you access to all four days of the event, and is exclusively for students under 30 who are not attending on behalf of a business.
To register, simply complete the online form, check the “Student” box (halfway through the process), and send a copy of your student ID to registration@classicalnext.com. Please make sure to also bring a physical copy of your credentials to collect your registration.
Please note, a student registration does not include a full Classical:NEXT Online account (no public profile on C:N Connect, or access to the client database).
Young Professional rate
We are excited to welcome young professionals to the Classical:NEXT community! As a freelancer who will be 35 years old or younger on the first day of the 2026 edition of Classical:NEXT, you qualify for our Young Professional discount. Your age will be verified at check-in, make sure to bring an ID.
If you are a young professional employed by a company, your employer will need to pay the regular registration rate.
Third person rate
After two members of the same company register at full price, each additional person from that company qualifies for a discounted rate.
Media rate and press accreditation
We value the vital role journalists play promoting music and in keeping the important discourse on this art form alive. That’s why Classical:NEXT offers a reduced rate to media professionals, subject to approval.
If you’ll be attending Classical:NEXT primarily in your capacity as a journalist or as part of a music media company’s editorial team, you are invited to register for our special media rate.
- Simply complete the delegate registration form, check the “media registration” box when entering your details (about halfway through the process) and send a copy of your press credentials to registration@classicalnext.com.
- After approval from our communications team, you will receive the discounted media rate for registration.
Press accreditation, which includes free delegate-level access to Classical:NEXT 2026, is available to a limited number of journalists who cover Classical:NEXT or its showcase artists, subject to approval. Please note that accredited journalists will not be listed as delegates in the printed guide or the C:N Connect database. Only one accreditation per media outlet is allowed.
- To apply, contact us at media@classicalnext.com.
Book
a Stand!
Shape the future of classical and art music together with 1,500 professionals from 50+ countries.
Advertise
with us!
Promote yourself in a highly targeted way – at Classical:NEXT
Take advantage of promotional opportunities before, during and after Classical:NEXT 2026.
