Australian ABBA tribute band Björn Again to headline Maris Motor Rally 2026

Australian ABBA tribute band Björn Again will perform in Negombo on August 1 as the headline act of Maris Motor Rally 2026 (MMR 26), organised by the Maris Stella College Old Boys’ Association (OBA). The announcement was made by OBA President Dhammika Fernando at a media briefing in Colombo on Saturday. Fernando said the event, endorsed by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, will be held at the Jetwing Blue beachfront and is expected to attract around 6,000 spectators. The concert will also feature performances by local bands, with organisers describing it as one of Sri Lanka’s biggest beach parties in the recent years. Björn Again, an internationally acclaimed ABBA tribute act, comprising performers from several countries, has staged more than 7,000 performances across 120 countries since its formation in 1988. The band’s name is a play on that of ABBA guitarist and vocalist Björn Ulvaeus.

Organisers said the performance is expected to strengthen Negombo’s tourism calendar by attracting both local and foreign visitors while boosting business for hotels, restaurants, transport providers and other enterprises in the area. “Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery needs strong destination-level experiences that connect visitors with local communities. MMR 26 is not only a rally or a music festival; it is a platform to promote Negombo as a complete weekend economy covering hotels, restaurants, entertainment, transport, small businesses and community initiatives,” Fernando said. “Negombo has the natural advantage of being close to the airport, having a strong hotel base, a rich cultural identity and a vibrant coastal economy. Through MMR 26, our objective is to help convert these strengths into real income opportunities for the local community while creating a positive image for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector,” Project Chair Manjula Mahadanarachchi said. With motorsport, music, hospitality partnerships, environmental action and community participation brought together under one umbrella, MMR 26 is expected to become a larger platform for tourism promotion, local livelihood development and economic activity in Negombo.