The 10th anniversary edition delivered exactly what we all expected. Bigger jumps, faster lines and a level of riding that continues to stretch the limits of what’s possible on a bike.
Between the new and massive Falcon Heavy line and the reworked Rocket Launcher landing, the course pushed riders all week as they hunted for perfect conditions to send the biggest features in freeride.
Canadians leave their mark
Amid the chaos, Canadian riders made sure they were part of the story.
Matt MacDuff earned the Insta360 Best Clip award for his “Candy Bar Flip,” a trick that stood out even in a field stacked with heavy hitters and constant progression.
Fellow Canadian Vaea Verbeeck also stepped onto the awards list, sharing the Mavrix Moment honour alongside Alessio “Cornflakes” Tonoli. Definitely a redemption of sorts for Verbeeck after crashing out of Rampage back in the fall of 2025.
Riders crown their own
Darkfest’s awards are famously decided by the riders themselves. Giving the results a different kind of credibility and avoiding the kind of controversy an event like Rampage suffers from.
This year, Tonoli was named King of Darkness after a week of relentless progression across multiple features.
On the women’s side, Natasha Bradley earned Queen of Darkness, capping a strong showing that also included a Best Line award.
Other standout performances included Elias Ruso landing a double flip on Falcon Heavy to take a share of the Kenda Mind Bender award, while Robin Goomes claimed the same category on the women’s side with a flip can on the step-up.
Vero Sandler shared the Muc-Off Filthiest Style award alongside Tonoli, while Tom Isted joined Bradley in taking Best Line honours.
King of Darkness: Alessio ‘Cornflakes’ Tonoli
Queen of Darkness: Natasha Bradley
Insta360 Best Clip: Matt MacDuff (Candy Bar Flip)
Muc-Off Filthiest Style: Vero Sandler & Cornflakes
Mavrix Moment: Vaea Verbeeck & Cornflakes
Kenda Mind Bender: Elias Ruso (Double Flip on Falcon Heavy) & Robin Goomes (Flip Can on the Step-Up)
DeWalt Biggest Tool – Best Line: Tom Isted & Natasha Bradley
More than just big tricks
For all the focus on the riding, Darkfest remains as much about the atmosphere as the results.
The event continues to blend world-class riding with a loose, community-driven vibe that sets it apart from traditional competitions.
“I am absolutely blown away,” said Sam Reynolds. “To see how far we’ve come in 10 years is insane. This week, the riders took everything we built, the new Rocket, the Falcon Heavy, and absolutely destroyed it.”
He credited the trails crew and sponsors, adding that “everyone who dropped in this week is a legend.”
The show isn’t over
While the riding has wrapped, the content cycle is just beginning.
With cameras rolling all week, the official highlights edit is still to come, along with a flood of rider-produced videos expected to hit in the coming days and weeks.