Lauryn Hill & Wyclef Jean, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, Lenny Kravitz & Lainey Wilson to Headline 2026 Global Citizen Festival

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The star-studded roster for the upcoming 2026 Global Citizen Festival in New York City’s Central Park has been unveiled, featuring K-pop icons TOMORROW X TOGETHER, legendary hip-hop duo Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, iconic rocker Lenny Kravitz, acclaimed singer John Legend, and genre-bending artists Shaboozey and Lainey Wilson.

Taking over the Great Lawn on September 26, the world’s premier poverty-eradication campaign will be anchored by host Hugh Jackman alongside special guest appearances from Rachel Brosnahan and Gayle King, with additional performers expected to join the bill soon.

This special gathering marks a major milestone as Hill and Jean reunite on stage to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Fugees’ timeless 1996 masterpiece, The Score. Attendance at the 2026 Global Citizen Festival remains entirely free, accessible by completing impactful advocacy actions through the Global Citizen app or via globalcitizenfestival.com. Supporters can also secure their entry through a newly introduced pathway: after completing app-based advocacy journeys to earn points, users can either enter a complimentary ticket lottery or make a direct $25 charitable contribution for guaranteed admission.

“I truly believe we all possess the power to make a positive impact, which is why I am incredibly honored to perform at the Global Citizen Festival for the very first time,” shared Wilson in an official statement. “It offers a brilliant opportunity to unite for essential causes—supporting children’s education, empowering local farmers, bolstering food security, and expanding electricity access—while sharing an unforgettable day of music in Central Park. I can’t wait to see everyone there!”

Following the groundbreaking inaugural FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show—produced in partnership with Global Citizen, which successfully generated $60 million for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund—this year’s initiative zeroes in on three primary pillars driving systemic poverty across the globe. Organizers aim to unlock educational opportunities for two million children, empower 1.5 million smallholder agricultural workers, and supply reliable electricity to 2.5 million off-grid households.

Furthermore, local fundraising efforts will directly benefit New York City communities, with proceeds directed to the City Parks Foundation to sustain youth educational programs and green spaces across all five boroughs, alongside organizations assisting unhoused individuals. While donation-backed tickets are strictly limited, the vast majority of festival passes will remain completely free in exchange for community activism on the platform.

“It is time for us to reconvene on the Great Lawn in the heart of New York City and declare boldly that eradicating extreme poverty is an achievable goal,” noted Global Citizen Ambassador and co-host Jackman. “Every single one of us has a role to play in transforming the world. What better way to close out the summer than by taking meaningful action, earning rewards, and celebrating change through a full day of music and advocacy? See you on the lawn!”

Global Citizen CEO and co-founder Hugh Evans reflected on the monumental strides achieved over the past three decades, pointing out that extreme poverty affected approximately 2.3 billion individuals in 1990. Today, that figure has plummeted to roughly 830 million—representing nearly one in ten people worldwide.

“This progress was never a coincidence; it happened because visionary leaders prioritized human capital, forward-thinking enterprises invested in local ecosystems, and everyday citizens demanded accountability,” Evans emphasized. “History proves that extreme poverty can be defeated, meaning progress is ultimately a choice. The critical question for our generation and our leaders is straightforward: will we finish what we started, or permit decades of hard-earned progress to unravel?”

View the official 2026 Global Citizen Festival promotional poster below.

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