The 2026 Global Citizen Festival returns to New York City’s Central Park on September 26. This year's lineup includes headliners Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, who will celebrate the 30th anniversary of their album The Score. Joining them on the Great Lawn are Tomorrow X Together, Lenny Kravitz, John Legend, Shaboozey, and Lainey Wilson.
Hugh Jackman returns as the event host, supported by appearances from Rachel Brosnahan and Gayle King. The festival remains a central part of the movement to end extreme poverty. Organizers have set specific goals for this year, including providing school access for two million children, supporting over one million smallholder farmers, and delivering electricity to 2.5 million homes.
Attendance at the festival is free, though tickets are earned through the Global Citizen app by taking action on these causes. Users can accumulate points to enter a ticket lottery or choose to make a 25-dollar charitable donation to secure their spot. Donations support local programs in New York City, including the City Parks Foundation and organizations dedicated to assisting individuals experiencing homelessness.
Global Citizen co-founder Hugh Evans noted the progress made since 1990, stating that the number of people living in extreme poverty has dropped from 2.3 billion to 830 million. The 2026 festival serves as a call to action for leaders and citizens to continue this trend and finish the work required to eliminate poverty cycles globally.