The Homecoming Festival will not take place this year due to the current global economic climate and the significant costs associated with delivering an event of Homecoming's scale and standard.
The Homecoming Festival team says that while support for the festival remains incredibly strong, the commercial reality is that it is simply not financially viable to deliver Homecoming in 2026 at the world-class level audiences have come to expect.
They say rather than compromise the quality and experience that Homecoming has become known for, organisers have chosen to pause the festival while they work toward creating a more sustainable future for the event.
They say the announcement comes as they approach the first anniversary of the passing of the late George "Fiji" Veikoso, whose vision, passion and love for Pacific music and culture brought Homecoming Festival to life and inspired a movement that continues to unite people from around the world.
Homecoming Festival Event Director Moe Coffey says the decision had been one of the most difficult the team has faced.
He says Homecoming is much more than a music festival, it's a celebration of our Pasifika people, our culture, our music and the extraordinary legacy of our beloved George 'Fiji' Veikoso.
Coffey says George Fiji dreamed of creating something that brought our Pacific communities together through music, culture and connection.
He says following his passing, they felt an enormous responsibility to continue that vision and ensure Homecoming remained a place where his spirit could live on.
The Event Director says the support they have received over the past two years has been nothing short of incredible asiIt has shown them just how much Homecoming means to so many people.
Coffey says unfortunately, the current economic climate and the high costs of delivering an event of this scale means they simply cannot produce the festival to the standard the audience deserves and that they know George Fiji would expect.
He says they would rather pause than deliver anything less than the Homecoming experience people expect and love, and that George Fiji would be proud of.
While there will be no Homecoming Festival in 2026, this is not goodbye.
Coffey says they remain committed to exploring opportunities to bring Homecoming back in the future and to finding meaningful ways to keep George's dream and vision alive.
The Homecoming Festival team has also acknowledged everyone who has helped shape the festival over the past two years.
They also thanked every fan who travelled from near and far, every artist and performer who shared their talents, their sponsors and partners, Tui Nadi, Fiji Police, their volunteers, crew and everyone who believed in Homecoming, adding their support, passion and belief have helped create something truly special.
The organisers also paid tribute to the late George "Fiji" Veikoso, thanking him for his vision, music, generosity and for creating an event that has united people from around the world.
They say Homecoming exists because of George Fiji's dream and that his legacy will continue to inspire everything they do.
The team says as they approach the first anniversary of his passing this month, they remain committed to honouring his extraordinary legacy and preserving the vision he brought to life through Homecoming.
They add that while the festival may be on pause, their commitment to protecting and continuing George Fiji's dream remains stronger than ever.
The organisers say they are committed to exploring opportunities for the festival's return when conditions are right, with the aim of once again delivering the world-class experience that George Fiji envisioned and that audiences have come to expect.
