The organisers of Download Festival have officially revealed the headliners for the 2026 edition — and fans are already calling it one of the most ambitious line-ups in years.
Limp Bizkit, Guns N’ Roses, and a reformed Linkin Park will top the bill across the three main nights of the legendary rock and metal festival at Leicestershire’s Donington Park next June.
Picture credit: Download Festival
Friday night will see Limp Bizkit take their first-ever headline slot at Download, marking a major milestone for the nu-metal icons. Known for their explosive live energy and nostalgic anthems like Break Stuff and Rollin’, the band’s headline debut has been long anticipated by fans.
Guns N’ Roses return to Donington to headline Saturday night — their first appearance at the festival since 2018. Axl Rose and company are set to bring a full-throttle greatest hits set, expected to include Welcome to the Jungle, Sweet Child O’ Mine, and Paradise City.
Closing out the festival on Sunday will be Linkin Park, performing their first major UK show since their reformation with new vocalist Emily Armstrong. It marks their first appearance at Download since 2014, and their first headline slot with the updated lineup.
In addition to the three headline acts, Download has also confirmed over 90 other artists for the 2026 event. Among the notable names are Bad Omens, Pendulum, BABYMETAL, Cypress Hill, and The Pretty Reckless.
Festival director Andy Copping described the line-up as a “celebration of both heritage and evolution in rock music,” highlighting the balance between classic acts and modern favourites.
“Download has always been about bringing generations of rock fans together,” said Copping. “This line-up does exactly that — a mix of nostalgia, reinvention, and pure energy.”
Download Festival 2026 will take place from 10–14 June at its traditional home, Donington Park, Leicestershire. Tickets go on sale later this week, with early bird options expected to sell out quickly following the headliner announcement.
Organisers have also teased expanded camping options, enhanced food and entertainment zones, and a stronger focus on sustainability initiatives for next year’s event. announcement has sparked a wave of excitement across social media. Many fans have praised the organisers for booking Limp Bizkit as headliners for the first time, while others are eager to see how Linkin Park’s new line-up performs.
One fan commented online: “Download finally has its first female-fronted headliner — and it’s Linkin Park. That’s a huge moment.”
Full stage splits and day schedules are expected to be released early next year, along with additional special guests.
