The Guitar Center Experience & Next Gen Stage At The 2026 Crossroads Guitar Festival

18 Sep 26

• Ticketholders: Arrive early for the immersive Guitar Center Experience inside the Moody Center’s climate-controlled concourse.
• Visit the “Legend’s Walk” to see Eric Clapton’s “Blackie”, his Cream-era ES-335, Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Lenny”, and more up close.
• Test drive vintage and new guitars and check out the new Crossroads 2026 Guitar Collection.
• Enjoy live music from rising virtuosos on the Crossroads Next Gen Stage.
• Grab a selfie with the Gibson Throne.
• Witness history when John Mayer inducts Paul Reed Smith into Guitar Center’s Rockwalk on Saturday.
• Keep reading for all the details!

Eric Clapton’s 2026 Crossroads Guitar Festival is rapidly approaching on September 26-27 at the Moody Center in Austin, TX, and ticket buyers are encouraged to arrive early for the immersive Guitar Center Experience and live performances by young guitar phenoms.

The Guitar Center Experience will open each day two hours before show times and will be staged inside on the Moody Center’s climate-controlled main concourse. Test drive vintage and new guitars, as you’ll find something for every skill level, all available for purchase through Guitar Center, Ernie Ball, Fender, Gibson, Martin, PRS and Shure, starting Saturday, September 26th at 3:30 p.m. and Sunday, September 27 at 2:00 p.m.

Don’t miss the Guitar Center “Legend’s Walk” of priceless, iconic guitars from its world-renowned collection of multimillion-dollar instruments including Eric Clapton’s “Blackie” Fender Stratocaster and “Cream” Cherry Red Gibson ES-335; Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Lenny” Stratocaster, George Harrison’s Martin 00-21 that he gifted to Eric; and The Edge’s ‘75 Gibson Les Paul Custom.

Also making its debut at the Festival will be the Eric Clapton Crossroads 2026 Guitar Collection which includes, direct from the Martin Custom Shop, a 000-42 in Brazilian Rosewood and personally signed by Eric Clapton that is limited to an edition of only five. Additional instruments from Martin include a 000-42 in highly figured Ziricote with choice of natural or sunburst finish, and a more affordable 000-13E model that is sure to appeal to a broad audience of players. Fender will also be well represented in the 2026 Collection with its Eric Clapton Blind Faith Telecaster, while PRS Guitars and John Mayer have collaborated on a limited-edition Silver Sky model in Incline Blue that features the Crossroads compass insignia on its headstock. Rounding out the collection of offerings, Ernie Ball has created a collectible Eric Clapton String Tin that includes three sets of Eric’s preferred 10-46 Slinky’s.

In addition to the guitar and gear displays, the Guitar Center Experience will feature live performances that prove the future of guitar-fueled music is in exceptional hands. The Crossroads Next Gen Stage on the east end of the Moody Center Concourse will showcase young virtuoso players, Jensen Gering, Isaac Ryan Holmes and Steph Strings. This stage will fire up immediately after the concourse doors open and continue for 90 minutes each day.

Those looking for a great Crossroads selfie photo can take advantage of the perfect backdrop at the Gibson Throne near the Next Gen stage.

Finally, for those who are fans of PRS Guitars, on Saturday, September 26 its legendary founder, Paul Reed Smith, will be inducted into Guitar Center’s Rockwalk, the handprints-in-concrete hall of fame that is located outside of Guitar Center’s flagship store on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. For only the second time in history, Guitar Center will hold a Rockwalk induction ceremony outside of LA. This historic event will take place on the Moody Center’s exterior Dell West Plaza, with live music on the Rockwalk stage at 2:00 p.m., while John Mayer will induct Paul Reed Smith at 2:30 p.m.

Importantly, a generous percentage of proceeds of all sales through the Guitar Center Experience and the Eric Clapton Crossroads 2026 Guitar Collection will go to the aid of the Crossroads Centre At Antigua.

About Crossroads Centre Antigua:
Founded in 1998 by Eric Clapton, Crossroads Centre Antigua was created to provide treatment and education to chemically and alcohol dependent persons, their families and their significant others. Treatment is provided through residential care, family and aftercare programs. The pathway to recovery is founded on the 12 steps and a change in lifestyle. Crossroads Centre Antigua also operates a halfway house in Antigua called the Bevon House and facilitates various ongoing recovery initiatives on the island of Antigua and in the Caribbean. For more information on the lifesaving services of Crossroads, visit crossroadsantigua.org.