Download Festival 2026 working on 'massive curveball' act for the main arena

Download Festival booker Kam Haq has told Planet Rock he’s hoping to confirm a "massive curveball" act for the main arena next summer.

Last night, more than 90 bands were announced for the Download Festival 2026 line-up including headliners Limp Bizkit, Guns N’ Roses and Linkin Park.

Other artists on the stacked bill include Halestorm, Those Damn Crows, Mastodon, Tom Morello, Bad Omens, Cypress Hill, Trivium, Architects, Electric Callboy, Bush, Feeder, The Pretty Reckless, Tailgunner, Mammoth and Keanu Reeves’ group Dogstar.

To celebrate the big reveal, Kam Haq dropped into Planet Rock HQ to discuss the blockbuster bill, and he told us: “The line-up this year is super strong, I think we’ve got some real depth to it.”

During the chat, we asked Kam if punters can expect to see anything like Vengaboys again at Download’s District X. The cheesy Dutch Eurodance act drew colossal crowds on the Thursday night this year before the main arena action kicked off.

“Yeah, we’re working on some interesting stuff and one interesting curveball for the main arena as well, hopefully. Just awaiting on confirmation on that,” Kam said.

“We’re talking about announcing it separately because it’s such a massive curveball for Download. It’s something that people have been after for a while. People have asked for it online over and over. And this year we’re going to finally deliver it.”

Kam went on to reveal that he’s already hard at work on the 2027 event, explaining: “Right now, I’m in discussions for acts in 2027. There’s one act that’s never played Download. Ever. So hopefully they will headline for us in 2027. I’m currently in talks with the agent on that one.

“It is a bit crazy thinking that you’re booking acts for 2027 in 2025, so you’re having to think 18 months to two years ahead, basically. Things can change with album cycles, logistics can change. Anything’s possible between now and then.”

When questioned about what bands could hypothetically headline in years to come, Kam replied: “Architects definitely would be an incredible headliner for us. Gojira. Would love to see Nine Inch Nails headline one day. I would love to see Ghost headline one day.

“I think in future years we’ll see the likes of Ghost, Gojira, Architects, maybe even Parkway Drive. Alter Bridge are possible headliners in the next couple of years.”

With many more acts and surprises still to be announced, tickets to Download Festival 2026 are on sale now right here.

The 20 greatest Monsters of Rock and Download Festival headliners:

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