When you talk about the history of trance music, one name inevitably rises above all others: Armin van Buuren. For over two decades, he has been the driving force behind the global phenomenon that is A State Of Trance (ASOT). Now, in 2026, the legendary DJ and producer is preparing to deliver one of the most ambitious performances of his career — a five-hour main stage set at the 25th anniversary celebration of A State Of Trance, taking place at Rotterdam Ahoy on February 27–28, 2026.
This isn’t just another festival. This is a cultural milestone. It’s a chance to witness a moment that blends nostalgia, innovation, and the unbreakable bond between an artist and his community. As Armin van Buuren himself stated: “This is not just a festival. It’s a celebration of everything we’ve built together over the past 25 years. From trance classics to fresh new sounds, from legends to emerging talent, ASOT 2026 will be the place where everyone who loves this music comes together.”
And at the heart of it all will be his five-hour marathon set, a rare and powerful statement from an artist who has already defined multiple eras of electronic dance music.
A Legacy That Defines a Genre
Armin van Buuren founded A State Of Trance in 2001 as a radio show dedicated to showcasing trance music to the world. What started as a small broadcast quickly became a global movement, connecting millions of listeners across continents. The show’s growth led to worldwide tours, landmark events, and eventually, ASOT festivals that became annual pilgrimages for fans.
Over the years, ASOT has hosted events in Utrecht, Miami, Sydney, Buenos Aires, and countless other cities, always bringing together the best names in trance. Yet no matter where the festival traveled, the spirit of Armin was always the glue holding it together.
Now, 25 years later, ASOT 2026 returns to the Netherlands with the promise of being the most important edition yet. And it’s not by coincidence that Armin van Buuren himself is stepping up with a set longer and more personal than almost anything he’s attempted in recent years.
Why a Five-Hour Set Matters
For superstar DJs, extended sets are increasingly rare. Festivals usually demand quick turnover, with artists playing no more than ninety minutes before making way for the next act. That makes Armin’s five-hour performance not just unusual but historic.
It’s a signal that this isn’t about headlining status or flashy time slots. This is about storytelling, patience, and connection. A set of this length allows Armin to take fans on a true journey through trance — from its euphoric beginnings in the early 2000s to the cutting-edge productions of today. Expect him to revisit classics that defined his career, rework forgotten gems, and premiere unreleased tracks crafted especially for this anniversary.
For fans, this means more than a performance. It’s an immersion. It’s a rare opportunity to experience the depth of his catalog and the evolution of the genre in one sweeping performance. Only an artist with Armin’s sense of history and his global fan connection could attempt something on this scale.
Why Rotterdam Matters
The choice of Rotterdam Ahoy as the venue adds an extra layer of significance. Known for hosting some of the largest and most iconic events in the Netherlands, the arena carries an energy that perfectly suits the grandeur of a 25th anniversary celebration.
Rotterdam itself is a city of resilience, creativity, and progress — values that align with ASOT’s own journey. The setting ensures that this anniversary will feel like both a homecoming and a global broadcast, echoing the very roots of ASOT as a radio show that transcended borders. For thousands of fans traveling from every corner of the globe, Rotterdam offers both a sense of belonging and the thrill of discovery.
More Than Music: A Community Celebration
It’s easy to focus on the numbers — millions of listeners, countless sold-out shows, a quarter century of dominance — but the real magic of ASOT 2026 lies in the sense of community.
For fans, this isn’t just about watching Armin van Buuren perform. It’s about being part of something bigger, something that has carried them through phases of life. From the early days of downloading weekly episodes of ASOT Radio to dancing shoulder to shoulder in massive arenas, fans have grown alongside the music.
The five-hour set is more than a performance; it is a gift back to that community. It is Armin saying, “This is for all of us.”
The Emotional Weight of the Anniversary
This anniversary comes at a time when trance music is enjoying a resurgence. In a world dominated by fast-changing electronic subgenres, trance has proven its staying power. Its focus on melody, emotion, and unity resonates as strongly today as it did 25 years ago.
For Armin van Buuren, this is not just a career milestone. It’s a personal reflection. Few artists in electronic music have maintained relevance for so long. To celebrate with such a massive performance is both a triumph and a challenge — one that he embraces fully.
Fans can expect not just music but visual storytelling, immersive stage design, and emotional highlights that underline the journey of the past 25 years. Every beat will carry the weight of history, while every drop will remind fans why they fell in love with trance in the first place.
Why You Can’t Miss It
If you have ever called yourself a trance fan, ASOT 2026 is the event you cannot afford to miss. The combination of history, spectacle, and a once-in-a-lifetime five-hour set by Armin van Buuren makes this more than just another festival. It makes it a landmark moment in electronic music, a gathering where the past, present, and future collide.
Those who attend will experience a performance that brings together timeless trance anthems and groundbreaking new material in a single seamless journey. They will join fans from across the globe, united by their love of the music and their connection to this community. And they will become part of the closing of one chapter and the opening of another in ASOT history.
The 25th Anniversary of A State Of Trance at Rotterdam Ahoy is more than just a party. It’s a story of perseverance, evolution, and passion, told through the vision of Armin van Buuren.
A five-hour set is not just an indulgence — it’s a statement. It’s Armin saying that trance still matters, that the bond between artist and audience still matters, and that 25 years is only the beginning.
As the world gathers in February 2026, one thing is certain: this will not just be a festival. It will be a memory etched in the hearts of everyone lucky enough to be there. And at the center of it all will stand Armin van Buuren, the man who turned a radio show into a global movement — and who, 25 years later, is still giving his all to the music he loves.
