Coachella Kicks Off 25th Edition with Star-Studded Performances and Surging Ticket Prices

Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G headline the first weekend of the iconic music festival.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:06am

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An extreme close-up photograph of sparkling, reflective sequins and shattered disco ball fragments, capturing the glitz and glamour of the Coachella music festival.The 25th Coachella festival shines with a dazzling array of high-profile performances and surging secondary market ticket prices.Coachella Today

The 25th edition of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, has commenced with a series of high-profile headlining performances and a significant surge in secondary market ticket prices. The first weekend featured sets from Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G, drawing large crowds and celebrity attendees. Carpenter's debut headlining performance, titled 'Sabrinawood,' included surprise celebrity cameos, while Bieber's return as a scheduled headliner contributed to a dramatic increase in ticket costs on the resale market. Karol G made history as the first Latina artist to headline Coachella.

Why it matters

Coachella is one of the most prestigious and influential music festivals in the world, attracting top artists, industry insiders, and thousands of fans each year. The high-profile headlining performances and surging ticket prices highlight the continued cultural significance and commercial power of the event, as well as the growing demand for Latin music representation on major festival stages.

The details

The first weekend of the 2026 Coachella festival featured headlining sets from pop star Sabrina Carpenter, pop superstar Justin Bieber, and Colombian singer Karol G. Carpenter's debut headlining performance, titled 'Sabrinawood,' included surprise celebrity cameos from actors Samuel L. Jackson, Will Ferrell, and Susan Sarandon. Bieber's appearance as a scheduled headliner, rather than a surprise guest, contributed to a dramatic increase in ticket prices on the secondary market, with general admission weekend passes reaching $4,000. Karol G made history as the first Latina artist to headline the iconic festival.

  • The 25th edition of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival took place from April 10-12, 2026.
  • Sabrina Carpenter's headlining debut performance, 'Sabrinawood,' occurred on April 10, 2026.
  • Justin Bieber's first scheduled Coachella headlining set took place on April 11, 2026.
  • Karol G closed out the first weekend of the festival on April 12, 2026.

The players

Sabrina Carpenter

A pop singer and actress who delivered her headlining debut at Coachella, transforming the main stage into a production titled 'Sabrinawood' that featured surprise celebrity cameos.

Justin Bieber

A pop superstar who made his debut as a billed Coachella headliner, contributing to a dramatic increase in ticket prices on the secondary market.

Karol G

A Colombian singer who made history as the first Latina artist to headline the Coachella festival.

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What they’re saying

“Coachella is such an iconic festival, and I'm honored to be the first Latina artist to headline it. This is a moment I'll never forget.”

— Karol G

“The energy at Coachella this year has been off the charts. Seeing Sabrina Carpenter transform the main stage into her own cinematic world was truly unforgettable.”

— Paris Hilton, Socialite

What’s next

The second weekend of Coachella 2026 is scheduled for April 17-19, featuring additional headlining performances and the debut of new artists.

The takeaway

Coachella's 25th edition has solidified its status as a premier global music event, drawing top talent, celebrity attention, and record-breaking ticket prices. The festival's ability to attract diverse headliners like Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G underscores its continued cultural relevance and influence in the music industry.