The art world’s compass is pointing back to Basel, Switzerland this June, as the prestigious Art Basel fair prepares to welcome nearly 300 galleries from 42 countries and territories. Organizers confirm the 2026 edition will feature 290 exhibitors, a slight increase from the 289 galleries that participated in 2025 and a broader international representation with 41 first-time participants.
“For one week, Basel becomes the central meeting point of the art world,” stated Art Basel director Maike Cruse. “This edition reflects both the enduring strength of the field and the exciting directions it is taking next, reinforcing Basel’s role as the global reference point for the art market.”
The fair’s core Galleries sector will, as expected, include leading international names like Hauser & Wirth, Gagosian, David Zwirner, and Pace. However, the 2026 edition will also see 12 galleries debuting in this main sector, including eight that have progressed from other Art Basel fair segments. Among these rising stars are Jessica Silverman (San Francisco), Silverlens (Manila), and Pippy Houldsworth (London). Four galleries – Berry Campbell and Ortuzar (both New York), Tim Van Laere Gallery (Antwerp), and Phillida Reid (London) – will make their Art Basel debuts directly within the Galleries sector, bypassing the introductory stages.
The art market, while showing signs of recovery, has experienced turbulence in recent years. Several prominent galleries that participated in last year’s Basel fair will not be returning in 2026, including Jeffrey Deitch, Fraenkel Gallery, Alexander Gray Associates, Garth Greenan Gallery, Nicolas Krupp, Kate MacGarry, and David Nolan Gallery. This follows a period of gallery closures, with Blum, Stephen Friedman Gallery, and Sperone Westwater all shuttering their doors since the last Basel fair, a trend reflecting ongoing challenges within the industry.
Despite these closures, the broader market appears to be stabilizing. Reports indicate a rebound in art sales at both fairs and auctions in 2025, offering a cautiously optimistic outlook for the coming year.
Beyond the established Galleries sector, Art Basel continues to innovate with dedicated spaces for emerging talent. Statements, focused on solo projects by up-and-coming artists, will feature galleries like Wschód (Warsaw), Marfa’ Projects (Beirut), and Kosaku Kanechika (Tokyo). The fair’s newest addition, Premiere, initially launched in 2025, has expanded from ten to 17 presentations, showcasing artwork created within the last five years. This expansion underscores Art Basel’s commitment to supporting contemporary creation.
Large-scale installations will once again take center stage in Unlimited, curated this year by Ruba Katrib of MoMA PS1. This sector provides a platform for ambitious works that push the boundaries of artistic expression.
Art Basel is also leveraging its new awards program to enhance the fair’s cultural impact. Commissions by the inaugural Art Basel Awards winners, Nairy Baghramian and Ibrahim Mahama, will be unveiled on Messeplatz (outside the fairgrounds) and Münsterplatz (in Basel’s historic center), respectively. The Parcours program will once again transform the city itself into an extension of the fair, with site-specific installations and performances scattered throughout Basel. This year’s Parcours, curated by Stefanie Hessler, director of the Swiss Institute in New York, will explore the theme of conviviality – the joys and challenges of communal living.
VIP previews are scheduled for and , with the fair opening to the public from to .
