Download Festival 2026 Lineup: Headliners and Over 90 Rock Acts Announced

Get ready for an epic 2026 as Download Festival reveals its powerhouse lineup featuring Limp Bizkit, Guns N’ Roses, Linkin Park, and 90+ unforgettable names.

The Ultimate Rock Gathering Returns to Donington Park

If you’re a fan of rock and metal, mark your calendars for June 10–14, 2026—Download Festival is back at Donington Park, Leicestershire, for its 23rd edition. This year’s lineup is nothing short of spectacular, boasting iconic headliners Limp Bizkit, Guns N’ Roses, and Linkin Park, all gearing up for their only UK shows of 2026 at this legendary festival.

The electrifying atmosphere at Download Festival, a mecca for rock and metal fans.

These headliners alone have fans buzzing. Limp Bizkit, nu-metal pioneers, will headline Friday night for the first time after delivering a memorable set at the 2024 festival. Guns N’ Roses return to the top slot on Saturday night, marking their third time headlining Download. Meanwhile, Linkin Park are set to headline for the fifth time, featuring new lead singer Emily Armstrong for the first time since she joined in 2024. Talk about a reunion with fresh energy!

More Than Just Headliners: A Rich, Diverse Lineup

Beyond the headliners, Download 2026 promises an impressive roster with over 90 acts to keep you rocking all weekend. From heavy hitters like Bad Omens, Cypress Hill, Tom Morello, Trivium, and Halestorm to the eclectic BABYMETAL and The All-American Rejects, the lineup spans classic metal to modern rock and everything in between.

Fans of heavier sounds will revel in bands like Mastodon, Architects, and Periphery, while those craving nostalgia can catch Bush, Ash, and The Pretty Reckless. The festival also shines a spotlight on rising stars and fan favorites such as Electric Callboy, Ice Nine Kills, Black Veil Brides, and Static-X.

Here’s a taste of the lineup so far:

• Limp Bizkit
• Guns N’ Roses
• Linkin Park
• Ankor
• Architects
• As Everything Unfolds
• AS IT IS
• Ash
• BABYMETAL
• Bad Omens
• Behemoth
• Black Veil Brides
• Blood Incantation
• Bloodywood
• Boundaries
• Bush
• Catch Your Breath
• Cavalera
• Corrosion Of Conformity
• Cypress Hill
• Decapitated
• Die Spitz
• Dinosaur Pile-Up
• Dogstar
• Drain
• Drowning Pool
• Ego Kill Talent
• Elder
• Electric Callboy
• Feeder
• Gatecreeper
• Halestorm
• Headwreck
• Hollywood Undead
• Holywater
• Ice Nine Kills
• Imminence
• Ivri
• James And The Cold Gun
• Kublai Khan TX
• Lake Malice
• Lakeview
• Landmvrks
• Last Train
• Letlive.
• Lowen
• Magnolia Park
• Mammoth
• Mastodon
• Melrose Avenue
• Mouth Culture
• Nasty
• Native James
• Nevertel
• P.O.D.
• Palefeace Swiss
• Pendulum
• Periphery
• Pussyliquor
• Rain City Drive
• Return To Dust
• RØRY
• Scene Queen
• Self Deception
• Set It Off
• Silent Planet
• Slay Squad
• Sleep Theory
• Snot
• Social Distortion
• South Arcade
• Spineshank
• Spitting Glass
• Static-X
• Story Of The Year
• Sweet Pill
• Sweet Savage
• Tailgunner
• The All-American Rejects
• The Plot In You
• The Pretty Reckless
• The Pretty Wild
• Thornhill
• Those Damn Crows
• Thrown
• Tom Morello
• Trivium
• Tropic Gold
• TX2
• Unpeople
• Vianova
• Wayside
• We Came As Romans
• Zero 9:36

Tickets are already on sale, so don’t miss out on securing your spot at one of the biggest rock events of the year.

Honoring Legends and New Beginnings

The announcement comes amid bittersweet moments for the rock community. Limp Bizkit confirmed they will continue their upcoming tour dates despite the recent passing of their founding bassist Sam Rivers on October 18 at age 48, due to cardiac arrest. Frontman Fred Durst paid tribute, describing Rivers as “not just our bass player – he was pure magic” and “the pulse beneath every song, the calm in the chaos, the soul in the sound.” It’s a heartfelt reminder of the deep bonds forged in rock’s wild ride.

Limp Bizkit bringing their nu-metal magic to Download Festival.

Meanwhile, Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash has recently expressed skepticism about the band playing at the Las Vegas Sphere, calling it “not really rock and roll friendly.” However, he teased fans with hints of new GNR music on the horizon, stating “everybody is thinking about it.” So, keep your ears open!

Linkin Park fans are also in for a treat as the band tours the world supporting their 2024 album From Zero. This record is especially significant—being their first since the loss of beloved frontman Chester Bennington and the debut of Emily Armstrong as lead singer. The band is evolving but still carrying that powerful spirit that fans worldwide cherish.

Past Glory and Future Visions

Reflecting on Download 2025’s lineup, the festival was headlined by Green Day, Sleep Token, and KoRn, with standout performances from Weezer, the Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, The Darkness, and Poppy. The organizer of Download Festival, Andy Copping, spoke earlier this year about the festival’s commitment to nurturing new talent alongside legendary acts.

“For us, it’s about giving bands the opportunity to grow. We’ve got the platform and we want to be sending a message to those guys like ‘Come and play. We believe in you and you’ve got a great opportunity here.’ Thankfully, for the most part, these bands do step up and they do deliver.”

— Andy Copping

The development of stages like the Dogtooth and Avalanche reflects this ethos, creating spaces where emerging artists can shine amid the giants of rock.

Get Ready for an Unforgettable Experience

With such an expansive and diverse bill, Download Festival 2026 is shaping up to be a milestone event for rock and metal lovers. Whether you’re there to see the legends, discover fresh sounds, or immerse yourself in the festival’s electric vibe, this is the place to be.

For those who’ve experienced Download before, you know it’s more than just a festival—it’s a gathering of a vibrant community united by a shared passion for powerful music. For newcomers, it promises a gateway into the heart of rock culture.

FAQ

• What are the dates for Download Festival 2026?
  Download Festival 2026 will take place from June 10 to June 14.
• Who are the headliners for Download Festival 2026?
  Limp Bizkit, Guns N’ Roses, and Linkin Park are confirmed as the festival’s headliners.
• Where is Download Festival held?
  The festival is held at Donington Park in Leicestershire, UK.
• Are the headliners playing their only UK shows in 2026 at Download?
  Yes, all three headliners will be performing their exclusive UK shows at Download Festival in 2026.
• Where can I buy tickets for Download Festival 2026?
  Tickets are available online; be sure to book early to secure your spot!

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