Donington Park is once again preparing to become the spiritual home of rock, metal, punk, alternative madness and questionable campsite decisions as Download Festival 2026 storms into the Midlands from 12th–14th June.
This year’s line-up is absolutely stacked. From nu-metal legends and metalcore titans to punk heroes, electronic chaos merchants and rising stars, there’s something for every Downloader.
So grab a warm cider, dust the mud off your boots and let’s take a wander through every stage and every day. 🤘
🔥 FRIDAY 12 JUNE – THE PARTY STARTS
🎤 Apex Stage
Limp Bizkit
The kings of rap-metal return to Download in headline form. Fred Durst and company proved once again that their catalogue is packed with absolute bangers. Expect huge singalongs, giant crowds and enough nostalgia to power Donington for another decade.
Cypress Hill
Hip-hop royalty with a rock festival reputation that keeps getting stronger. Their live shows are a massive party full of classics and infectious energy.
Electric Callboy
Germany’s masters of chaos. Metalcore meets Eurodance, ridiculous outfits and some of the biggest festival anthems of the modern era.
Pendulum
Drum & bass legends who always feel right at home at Download. Massive beats, huge production and enough energy to wake up everyone still asleep in the campsite.
Hollywood Undead
Rap-rock veterans delivering a set packed with hooks and crowd participation.
P.O.D.
The Californian rockers continue to prove why they’ve remained favourites for over two decades.
Scene Queen
Pink, loud, unapologetic and bringing a fresh dose of attitude to Download.
🔥 Opus Stage
Halestorm
Lzzy Hale remains one of rock’s greatest frontwomen. Expect massive vocals, huge riffs and a set full of fire.
Daughtry
One of the most recognisable voices in modern rock brings plenty of singalong moments.
Periphery
Progressive metal brilliance featuring some of the most technically gifted musicians on the bill.
Creeper
Goth-punk horror rock from Southampton. One of the UK’s best live bands.
Paleface Swiss
Absolutely savage modern deathcore that could level buildings.
Silent Planet
Thoughtful, emotional metalcore with enormous live intensity.
Caskets
Melodic post-hardcore packed with emotion and soaring choruses.
⚡ Avalanche Stage
Feeder
Welsh legends and absolute Download favourites. Grant Nicholas and the gang continue delivering anthem after anthem more than 30 years into their career.
Story Of The Year
Post-hardcore heroes with enough energy to make everyone feel 18 again.
Sleep Theory
One of the fastest-rising modern rock bands around.
Rain City Drive
Melodic rock brilliance with huge vocal hooks.
DRAIN
California crossover thrash chaos. Expect circle pits everywhere.
Lakeview
Country rock meets modern hard rock.
Hollywood Hate
Bringing fresh alternative energy to Donington.
Silly Goose
One of the most talked-about underground bands in America.
Native James
UK alternative star blending rap, metal and pure passion.
💀 Dogtooth Stage
Gaerea
Atmospheric black metal that feels both haunting and beautiful.
Chaos AD
Thrash-inspired aggression that perfectly suits Download.
Corrosion of Conformity
Southern metal legends with decades of history.
Band-Maid
Japanese rock sensations combining incredible musicianship with huge stage presence.
Static Dress
One of Britain’s most exciting alternative bands.
Nasty
Hardcore brutality at its finest.
Hanabie.
Japanese metalcore madness with infectious energy.
James And The Cold Gun
Welsh rock representing proudly at Donington.
Slay Squad
Heavy, aggressive and ready to cause carnage.
Health
Industrial electronic darkness for the late afternoon crowd.
🔥 SATURDAY 13 JUNE – DONINGTON TURNS UP THE HEAT
🎤 Apex Stage
Guns N’ Roses
Rock royalty. Axl, Slash and Duff return to Donington to remind everyone why they’re one of the biggest bands in music history.
Trivium
Florida metal heroes celebrating over two decades of crushing riffs.
Babymetal
The Japanese phenomenon continues its global domination.
Black Veil Brides
Huge choruses, massive production and a loyal fanbase ready to sing every word.
LANDMVRKS
French metalcore excellence.
South Arcade
One of the hottest rising UK alternative acts.
Thornhill
Australian heavyweights blending atmosphere and brutality.
🔥 Opus Stage
Architects
Modern metalcore giants and one of Britain’s most successful heavy bands.
Behemoth
Poland’s blackened death metal legends bring darkness to Download.
Bush
90s rock icons led by Gavin Rossdale.
Set It Off
Pop-punk and alternative rock fun.
The Same Damn Crows
Welsh rock pride flying high.
We Came As Romans
Metalcore veterans delivering emotional anthems.
Drowning Pool
Yes, everybody will be waiting for Bodies.
Snot
Cult nu-metal heroes making a welcome return.
Vukovi
Scottish alternative rock brilliance.
⚡ Avalanche Stage
The All-American Rejects
Pop-punk royalty with a catalogue packed full of festival favourites.
Hot Milk
Manchester’s rising stars continue their rapid ascent.
Marmozets
Technically brilliant and wonderfully unpredictable.
As It Is
Pop-punk favourites returning to Download.
Melrose Avenue
Australian newcomers creating serious buzz.
Mouth Culture
One of the UK’s most exciting modern rock bands.
Die Spitz
Raw punk energy.
Nevertel
Alternative rock packed with melody.
Frozemode
Genre-blending creativity at its finest.
Passionflower
Fresh talent ready to win new fans.
💀 Dogtooth Stage
Blood Incantation
Progressive death metal innovators.
Decapitated
Polish death metal legends.
Elder
Heavy psychedelic masters.
Sweet Savage
Classic metal pioneers.
Self Deception
Swedish hard rock with huge hooks.
As Everything Unfolds
One of Britain’s strongest modern alternative bands.
Future Palace
Atmospheric post-hardcore brilliance.
Conjurer
Crushing sludge and post-metal heaviness.
Lowen
Folk-inspired metal excellence.
Tailgunner
Traditional heavy metal flying the flag proudly.
Tropic Gold
Modern alternative energy.
Pussylíquor
Guaranteed to raise a few eyebrows and plenty of laughs.
🔥 SUNDAY 14 JUNE – GO BIG OR GO HOME
🎤 Apex Stage
Linkin Park
One of the most anticipated Download performances in years. The band enters a new era while celebrating one of the greatest catalogues in modern rock.
Bad Omens
Modern metal’s hottest property.
Ice Nine Kills
Horror-inspired metalcore packed with theatrical flair.
The Pretty Reckless
Taylor Momsen continues to lead one of rock’s finest live bands.
Bloodywood
Indian folk metal sensations who never fail to bring a party.
Rory
One of Britain’s most exciting emerging voices.
Kublai Khan TX
Heavy. Very heavy. Extremely heavy.
Unpeople
Future stars in the making.
🔥 Opus Stage
A Day To Remember
The perfect blend of pop-punk and metalcore.
Mastodon
Progressive metal masters and festival favourites.
Tom Morello
The legendary guitarist bringing political passion and incredible musicianship.
Social Distortion
Punk rock legends.
The Plot In You
Emotionally powerful modern metal.
Thrown
One of the most exciting heavy bands around.
Dogstar
Yes, that Dogstar. Featuring Keanu Reeves on bass.
Mammoth
Wolfgang Van Halen continues building his own legacy.
Catch Your Breath
Rising modern rock stars.
Ego Kill Talent
Brazilian alternative rock excellence.
⚡ Avalanche Stage
Scooter
The most Download booking ever and somehow the most Download booking imaginable. Expect chaos, nostalgia and thousands shouting “HOW MUCH IS THE FISH?!”
Letlive.
Post-hardcore legends returning to blow minds.
Ash
Northern Irish rock heroes packed with hits.
Dinosaur Pile-Up
British alternative rock favourites.
Magnolia Park
Genre-smashing modern rock brilliance.
TX2
One of alternative music’s most talked-about new names.
The Pretty Wild
Rising alternative stars.
VUKOVI
Always a crowd favourite wherever they play.
Zero 9:36
Rap-rock energy that fits Download perfectly.
Mould
Indie-punk newcomers looking to make their mark.
💀 Dogtooth Stage
Creeper
Closing out the Dogtooth with gothic grandeur and theatrical rock brilliance.
Spineshank
Nu-metal veterans returning for another round.
Gatecreeper
Death metal devastation.
Boundaries
Modern hardcore aggression.
Annisokay
German post-hardcore favourites.
Last Train
French rock excellence.
Wayside
Alternative newcomers on the rise.
Deceased
Old-school death metal pedigree.
Private School
Fresh talent ready to surprise.
Spitting Glass
Heavy, loud and hungry.
🤘 The Riff Report Verdict
Download Festival 2026 might just be one of the most varied Download line-ups we’ve seen in years.
You’ve got:
- Limp Bizkit bringing the nostalgia 🧢
- Guns N’ Roses bringing the legends 🎸
- Linkin Park bringing the emotion 🔥
- Electric Callboy bringing the madness 🤣
- Scooter bringing whatever the hell Scooter brings 💃
- Feeder flying the Welsh flag proudly 🏴
- Creeper bringing the theatrical horror 🎭
- Architects, Trivium, Halestorm, Pendulum, Babymetal and Bad Omens all ready to level Donington 💥
Whether you’re here for metal, punk, hardcore, alternative rock, electronic chaos or simply the annual tradition of getting lost on the way back to camp, Download 2026 looks absolutely stacked.
See you in the pit, butt. 🍻🤘
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. 🎸🔥🤘
