As anticipation builds during the final weeks of the semester, SUNY Cortland students are looking ahead to one of the campus’s biggest traditions: Spring Fling. The annual event, organized by the Student Activities Board (SAB), typically features three performers and gives students a chance to celebrate the end of the academic year. Tickets are usually priced at $20, cash only, with a one-ticket limit per student.
While the official Spring Fling 2026 lineup has not yet been announced, students across campus are already sharing their hopes and concerns about who will take the stage this year.
“In a perfect world, Zara Larsson would be performing,” said Alexia Zoi’s, a senior. “As for past performers, Ross Lynch was epic.”
Senior, Ginamarie Mannino, also shared her perspective, saying she would like to see Ellie Goulding headline the event. Reflecting on past performances, she added, “Ross was really engaging with the crowd. A Boogie was only there for about 45 minutes and didn’t interact as much, but the energy was still there.”
Kaylee Cummings, a senior, said she hopes to see artists like Role Model or PinkPantheress. “I’ve never actually gone to Spring Fling,” she said, “but I think they’ve had good, relevant artists so far.”
Ella Mills, also a senior, echoed that sentiment, adding that Role Model would be her top choice for this year’s event.
Other students emphasized the importance of choosing performers that align with current student interests. “I think they should focus more on what students are actually listening to right now,” said junior, Elaine Dawson. “Sometimes it feels like the artists are just random.”
Junior therapeutic recreation major, Tom Sollazzo said that while he plans to attend regardless of the lineup, the performer still plays a major role in campus excitement. “I’d go no matter who performs, but it definitely makes a difference if it’s someone well-known,” he said. “It just builds more hype around campus.”
First-year student Maya Patel acknowledges the value of variety in the lineup. “I like when they bring a mix of genres,” she said. “Not everyone listens to the same type of music, so it should appeal to more people.”
Cortland has hosted a wide range of performers in the past, including A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, The Driver Era, Kendrick Lamar, Ty Dolla $ign and Steve Aoki. While these names reflect a history of high-profile talent, some students feel recent lineups have been inconsistent in both popularity and performance quality.
The 2023 performance by Young Gravy drew mixed reactions from students. Some questioned the choice of artist, with one student saying, “Who would even spend the money on that?” while another added, “Genuinely, who asked for him?” Others noted that the opening acts were less recognizable, which contributed to overall disappointment among attendees.
The following year, The Driver Era brought a more familiar name to campus, and student reactions were generally more positive. However, some still felt the energy and engagement did not fully match expectations set by previous performers.
With a mix of excitement and skepticism, students continue to speculate about who SAB will select for Spring Fling 2026. Until the official announcement is made, the ongoing conversation reflects just how significant the event remains to campus culture at SUNY Cortland, serving not only as entertainment, but as a shared experience that brings the student body together to close out the academic year.