It's been 10 years since the last event, but 2026 will see the return of Guitar Center's Drum-Off. Hosted by hilarious comic Bill Burr alongside Jane's Addiction tub-thumper Stephen Perkins, the evening promises hours of beat-keeping brilliance.
"Guitar Center today announced the full lineup and event details for its Drum-Off 2026 National Finale, taking place August 20 at the historic Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, CA," reads a statement. "After nearly a decade away, the iconic Drum-Off competition returns to crown its next champion. Six finalists selected from thousands nationwide will compete live before a panel of legendary judges, celebrity guests, and a live audience. The winner will receive a brand endorsement, career-changing opportunities, $25,000 in cash, and a complete pro-level drum, hardware and cymbal setup. Tickets are available now to the public at AXS.com, with 15 percent of each ticket price benefiting the Guitar Center Music Foundation."
The night will include performances from "Robert Trujillo (Metallica) and the Kate Mess project featuring Tosh Peterson (Lady Gaga, Alkaline Trio, MGK), Jordi Radnoti (Olivia Rodrigo), Tim Stewart (Lady Gaga) and Tiara Stewart (Ashlee Simpson, Cyco Miko). The show closes with Kenny Aronoff and Friends, an all-star power trio featuring Kenny Aronoff (Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Chickenfoot, Smashing Pumpkins), Michael Anthony (Van Halen, Sammy Hagar, Chickenfoot), and Phil X (Bon Jovi, TRIUMPH, Phil X & The Drills)."
“One of the best parts of what we do at Guitar Center is discovering talented musicians before the rest of the world does,” said Gabe Dalporto, CEO of Guitar Center. “Drum-Off gives us the chance to put those players on a national stage and help launch the careers of drummers who went on to play in legendary acts such as Nine Inch Nails, Foo Fighters, Alice Cooper and The Mars Volta, and with artists like Jay-Z, Katy Perry, Prince and Beyoncé.”
"I'm really excited that Guitar Center brought Drum-Off back!” said Burr. “The lineup for this thing is incredible, and the finalists are going to have to bring their absolute best. It's going to be a lot of fun.”
"More than 2,600 drummers entered this year's competition, but what impressed us most wasn't the number—it was the caliber of the performances,” Glenn Noyes, Director of Merchandise, Drums and Percussion at Guitar Center, told MC. "Drum-Off has earned its reputation because its alumni, including Ilan Rubin and Tony Royster Jr., have gone on to perform with some of the biggest artists in the world. That legacy gives every drummer who steps on the Fonda stage the chance to be part of a life changing competition."
“Drum-Off has always been a place where great players can step up and be recognized,” said No Doubt drummer Adrian Young. “It's exciting to see it back and to watch a new generation of drummers compete for an opportunity that can truly change the course of their careers.”
The judging panel includes (all appearances subject to change):
• Tré Cool (Green Day)
• Josh Freese (Nine Inch Nails, Foo Fighters, Sting, Guns N’ Roses)
• Brad Wilk (Audioslave, Rage Against the Machine)
• Pocket Queen (Beyoncé, Harry Styles, Alicia Keys)
• Alex González (Maná)
• Eric Moore II (Drum-Off Champion, Sly & The Family Stone)
• Adrian Young (No Doubt)
• Daniel Jensen (Founder, OCDP)
• El Estepario Siberiano (drummer, content creator and educator)
• Jared Falk (Drumeo founder & CEO)
• Jay Weinberg (Slipknot, Suicidal Tendencies)
• Dave Elitch (Miley Cyrus, The Mars Volta)
• Thomas Lang (stOrk)
For tickets and additional event information, please visit https://www.axs.com/events/1493743/the-return-of-guitar-centers-drum-off-2026-tickets
