July 13, 2019 - "Croatia Make Some Noise! We Love You Split!” Ultra Europe officially opened its 7th edition on Friday at this year’s new location, Park Mladeži stadium in Split. Although the new location brought out quite a few skeptics, Ultra Europe once again demonstrated why it is a top event in Europe and why it is worshipped by hundreds of thousands of people around the world. 

Stijn DeGrauwe 

Another historical night of Croatian music and entertainment was written on Friday, and judging by the reactions of the many international DJ names and their beloved fans, the future and the development the only Ultra event in Europe is looking even brighter. 

The 7th edition of Ultra Europe was even enjoyed by Split mayor Andro Krustolivić-Opara and the director of the Split Tourist Board, Alijana Vukšić.

"We will see what the figures are on Monday, as well as the income for tourism workers, for Split and Croatian tourism. This is a big success tonight, that's the main reason for my happiness,  which will continue as long as the festival is fun. All the conditions have already shown that we are going to go to the top,” the mayor said for Splitski Dnevnik.

“These positive young people say it best. One hundred forty countries are here, and we'll talk about the final numbers after Ultra. If everything is as good as it started tonight, it will be one of the most successful Ultra festivals ever,” said Alijana Vukšić for Dalmacija Danas and also commented on the current tourism figures in Split.

Fabian Leitner

“Hotels and the high category of private accommodation have so far been full. We hope that the arrival of these young Ultra guests will fill the rest of the private accommodation.”

Joško Stella, director of the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board, repeated the organizer's words that this year's festival sold the most tickets yet.

“You can really see it. Somewhere in the middle of David Guetta’s performance, I saw that the entire terrain and its surroundings were full. The first night is very successful. We have beautiful weather, a great atmosphere, and attendance - it’s a full hit!” Stella said.

"I have to admit I was skeptical at first, but now that I've seen it, I think this is a perfect location and that everything is well organized. All the towns around Split feel the positive effects of this festival. We must not forget that all these DJs like Guetta and others have many followers and is important to them where their concerts are held, and this gives a great marketing effect to Split and the County.”

Before, during and after the first day of Ultra Europe, no significant security incidents have been reported to the Split-Dalmatia County Police by Saturday morning, in the sense of disturbing public order and peace to a greater extent, injuring visitors, or damaging property.

Niclas Ruehl

Nine property crimes were reported, while a total of 119 persons, including Croatian and foreign nationals, were arrested, mainly due to the violation of the Drug Abuse Act.

The opening night of Ultra featured David Guetta, The Chainsmokers, and Armin van Buuren. 

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

June 27,  2019 - After six unforgettable years, ULTRA Europe opens a four-year chapter at the Park Mladeži stadium in Split. The new site will record historic results already in its first year - the seventh edition will enlist its millionth visitor, and the record sales of tickets are expected to be even higher. These figures are the result of a year-long successful strategy and vision of organizers who have not given up on their goal to make this festival the biggest in Europe. With the most expensive line up ever on this stage of a record 1,500 square meters, Park Mladeži will host ULTRA Europe from July 12 to 14, 2019. 

"We are delighted to confirm that we have partnered with the City of Split and the Public Institution for Sports Facilities in Split for four-year cooperation and that together we will make Park Mladeži a leading sport and event location in the region. Poljud has made a big contribution to the development and attractiveness of the ULTRA Europe festival, which will continue to develop and grow in a new home, until at least 2022. We are proud to announce that we will record the millionth visitor, and according to the estimated tickets sold, we will host a record number of visitors this year,” said Joe Bašić, director of MPG Live, organizer of the ULTRA Europe festival and added:

“Park Mladeži is not news. We were serious about this location in 2012 before we chose Poljud. It's only a mile away, and because of its size, it opened up new possibilities in the production and organizational sense. This way, we will be able to reduce the time of entry into the stadium due to a better solution at the entrance, and also because of the greater number of exits, the safety of our visitors will be even higher this year. What we are particularly pleased about is the fact that the people of Split can now enjoy Hajduk from Poljud and watch top European football and enjoy the festival at the same time as one of the trademarks of their city.” 

Park Mladeži is 15,000 square meters bigger than Poljud, which represents football fields, giving new opportunities to the organizers. The new location is only a kilometer away from Poljud, close to the old city center, surrounded by numerous hotels, near the shopping center, a variety of restaurants, parking for cars and public transport. The central football pitch is of the same dimensions as the old location but is directly connected and surrounded by greenery, which ultimately opens the possibility of using 30,000 square meters and increasing the capacity to 55,000 visitors. The organizers have announced a never-before-seen stage that will extend to 1,500 square meters, and will be the largest stage ever set in the region. With additional production elements, such as 1000 square meter LED screens, numerous lighting fixtures, and special effects, visitors are expected to genuinely enjoy the seventh edition of the festival. The spectacular fireworks that became the trademark of the ULTRA Europe festival will light up the Split sky and its unique 360-degree design is one of the most exciting moments of every festival night. Due to the infrastructure of Park Mladeži, a better experience for VIP guests will be provided as there will be a special entry and direct access to the lodges.

In the next few days, all details of the contract between the Public Institution of Sports Facilities and MPG Live will be defined. "This top-class music experience places Split and the Adriatic coast onto the international map of festivals and will also affirm the new space in the city of Split, which surely adds value to Ultra. Good cooperation with the Public Institution of Sports Facilities in Split, which manages and maintains the Park Mladeži through contract, in cooperation with MPG and the ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL, will provide additional and necessary investment in the infrastructure of this sports facility. The city administration specifically requested it, and the organizer expressed this to understand that the needs of the surrounding population are also taken into account,” said the City of Split after the meeting.

The ULTRA Europe festival in Split started its story in 2013 at Poljud Stadium, home of HNK Hajduk. Since the club’s upcoming games have just been confirmed, the new solution was necessary. 

“At the end of last season, HNK Hajduk placed into the UEFA Europa League. They are scheduled to play on July 11th and 18th, and if they advance further, they will continue the second qualifying round on July 25th, while in the meantime, Hajduk will host their first game of the Croatian First League at Poljud. Until the end of May, it was not known which of UEFA Europa League’s first qualifying rounds were to be held at Poljud. Placing 4th in the Croatian League ensured that Hajduk would host two UEFA Europa League games in July, while the draw of the Croatian competition decided that Hajduk would play at Poljud on the 21st of July. Therefore, it was possible that from July 11th to 25th, HNK Hajduk would play at Poljud three times. The draw was just held on June 18 and 19 in Nyon, and until then, we did not know the schedule of our rivals or locations for the qualifying rounds. The Dugopolje stadium would not be adequate for this stage of the European competition, so the club did not have much choice for their obligations expected during July in Split,” said Hajduk’s Head of Public Relations, Ante Bilić.

The lineup for this year’s festival is already well known. Recall, the hard-hitters of the electronic music scene such as Swedish House Mafia, Above & Beyond, Adam Beyer, Afrojack, Alesso, Armin van Buuren, Carl Cox, The Chainsmokers, David Guetta, DJ Snake, Dubfire, Jamie Jones, Joseph Capriati, Maceo Plex, Rezz, Rezz, Richie Hawtin, Sasha & Nic Fanciulli, Steve Aoki and Tchami X Malaa will be joined by Art Department, Cheat Codes, Jeffret Suttorius, Lost Kings, Nicky Romero, Patrice Baumel and Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano will grace the audience in Split. 

The lineup includes 50 names that will feature across the four stages.

DESTINATION ULTRA 2019 

11. July - RESISTANCE Opening Party / Hemingway Club, Split

12.- 14. July - ULTRA Europe / Park Mladeži, Split

15. July – Regatta Party / 585 Club, Bol, Brač

16. July - ULTRA Beach Hvar / Hotel Amfora Grand Beach Resort, Hvar

16. July - RESISTANCE Hvar, Carpe Diem Beach Club

17. July - RESISTANCE Vis Closing Party / Fort George, Vis

You can read more about Ultra Europe here. 

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.