(L-R) n/a; David Goldrake;
Credit: David Goldrake
On Tuesday 11 August 2026, Luxembourg illusionist and Las Vegas headliner David Goldrake announced that he had been named Magician of the Year 2026, receiving the Merlin Award for the second time in his career in recognition of his contributions to the art of magic and illusion.
Presented by the International Magicians Society, the Merlin Award recognises excellence in performance, originality and innovation within the world of magic. Throughout its history, the award has honoured many of the industry's most celebrated performers, including Siegfried & Roy and David Copperfield.
The recognition marks another milestone in David Goldrake's career, which has taken him to audiences in more than 50 countries. His work has been seen by royalty, international celebrities, Fortune 500 companies and millions of television viewers worldwide. Known for combining grand illusion with theatrical storytelling, David Goldrake has built an international reputation for his performances.
Most recently, David Goldrake concluded his Las Vegas residency, “An Evening of Grand Illusion”, which combined grand illusion, intimate sleight of hand and the only Water Torture Cell escape presented on the Las Vegas Strip.
"It is a tremendous honor to receive this recognition from my peers. Growing up in Luxembourg, I could never have imagined that magic would one day allow me to travel the world, adapt to every audience, and share the impossible, whether with thousands of people in a theater or in the intimacy of a small room. Last year, I celebrated 25 years in magic with a sold-out tour, and receiving this award feels like another meaningful milestone in that journey," explained David Goldrake, adding that following the conclusion of his Las Vegas residency, he is preparing to announce his next major theatrical production, with details to be revealed soon.
David Goldrake is an internationally acclaimed illusionist who has performed in more than 50 countries across six continents. The multilingual performer has appeared on international television, headlined at the Magic Castle in Hollywood and starred in productions on the Las Vegas Strip. He has also received multiple industry honours, including Gold Awards for Best Magic Show and Best Family Friendly Show in Las Vegas.
