Download 2026

[OllieJ77]

3 hours ago, TWY2911 said:

This isn't a prediction and there's no chance this happens but this would be my dream for next year based off bands that could possibly be available 

 

I’d be very fine with this!!!

[northernangel]

7 hours ago, Frankly Mr Shankly said:

I think they’d be better going for something like: Ghost / Evanescence / Motionless in White 

 

I can’t see them booking Alice Cooper as a sub. Maybe as a second stage headliner again. 

 

Yeah I'd agree that top 3 would be good and that's for someone who doesn't truly care for Ghost. Those two bands those would bring interest of the areas/days were solid enough.

4 hours ago, TWY2911 said:

This isn't a prediction and there's no chance this happens but this would be my dream for next year based off bands that could possibly be available 

 

 

Turnstile aren't playing above Papa Roach based on touring size, the latter did pretty well selling on their arena tour. I'll also add, they wouldn't play above 3rd for someone that liked them but if Turnstile are a 3rd down band then Papa Roach are subbing. I also don't think Papa Roach will play. I think they are also an option for Slam Dunk but don't really fit it greatly imo. That said, I didn't think ADTR really fitted it either and that was proved wrong. NFG have to play above Simple Plan as well and neither get 4th main stage. I'd swap Turnstile and Papa Roach around, chicken AAJ 4th down then NFG then Simple Plan....but I'd really be surprised if Download did that on a Ghost day. From 4th down you want it on a Green Day like day.

[Andre91]

Turnstile are the best band on the planet. Papa Roach should be playing the in car park. 

[craigcharles420]

Yeah, Turnstile are one of the best bands going rn. Papa Roach are a relic of the 2000s. I know we are having a big nu and alt metal revival right now but Papa Roach shouldn't be in the club. They're better than Disturbed, at least.

[northernangel]

26 minutes ago, craigcharles420 said:

Yeah, Turnstile are one of the best bands going rn. Papa Roach are a relic of the 2000s. I know we are having a big nu and alt metal revival right now but Papa Roach shouldn't be in the club. They're better than Disturbed, at least.

 

To be fair, it doesnt matter what I think, what you think or what anyone else thinks, the tickets they've sold recently will dictate where they can go and they've dwarfed Turnstile in the UK by 10k. Given the lack of playing for 15 years, I wouldn't have loads of hope for next year and I don't even really want them, but they would likely have to sub, they definitely aren't agreeing to play 3rd down on arenas at a festival they've not played in that long. If Turnstile had done Wembley Arena I think would potentially get given the sub slot but there is band acts around bigger than can sub.

[Jos92]

12 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

To be fair, it doesnt matter what I think, what you think or what anyone else thinks, the tickets they've sold recently will dictate where they can go and they've dwarfed Turnstile in the UK by 10k. Given the lack of playing for 15 years, I wouldn't have loads of hope for next year and I don't even really want them, but they would likely have to sub, they definitely aren't agreeing to play 3rd down on arenas at a festival they've not played in that long. If Turnstile had done Wembley Arena I think would potentially get given the sub slot but there is band acts around bigger than can sub.

Makes for interesting reading, I agree with you that if a band is playing arenas they are generally going to want to sub, but so many bands are on their arena run now, I don't Motionless in White or Halestorm being as big as a sub at download but they're touring the arenas and might command that slot now.

[Spiral_Low]

17 minutes ago, Jos92 said:

Makes for interesting reading, I agree with you that if a band is playing arenas they are generally going to want to sub, but so many bands are on their arena run now, I don't Motionless in White or Halestorm being as big as a sub at download but they're touring the arenas and might command that slot now.

If Shinedown can sub then Halestorm can sub. Though tbf Shinedown in that spot was the weakest booking Download ever made. 

[Steve G]

12 minutes ago, Spiral_Low said:

If Shinedown can sub then Halestorm can sub. Though tbf Shinedown in that spot was the weakest booking Download ever made. 

I can't be doing with Shinedown but I think they're bigger than people make out. I reckon they do a full arena tour next and it sell quite well. Everytime they subbed Alterbridge the fans reacted Like they were the main event and last tour which was mix of arenas and large academies sold out I think  

[northernangel]

1 hour ago, Jos92 said:

Makes for interesting reading, I agree with you that if a band is playing arenas they are generally going to want to sub, but so many bands are on their arena run now, I don't Motionless in White or Halestorm being as big as a sub at download but they're touring the arenas and might command that slot now.

 

Halestorm are doing The 02 arena and a bigger tour, MIW is only Ally Pally. The they move onto Wembley at least as well they are in the conversation.

 

I think Halestorm will sub. I'm fairly confident that Yungblud, Halestorm and ADTR are going to sub the festival. 

 

47 minutes ago, Spiral_Low said:

If Shinedown can sub then Halestorm can sub. Though tbf Shinedown in that spot was the weakest booking Download ever made. 

 

It was but they delivered in spades. They were the best sub I saw wothout question. 

[Jos92]

2 minutes ago, northernangel said:

Halestorm are doing The 02 arena and a bigger tour, MIW is only Ally Pally. The they move onto Wembley at least as well they are in the conversation.

Not that I think MiW would sub, but they are playing the AO in Manchester and the Hydro in Glasgow on this run, plus the smaller regional arenas.

 

Still think it's bizarre Halestorm are playing the o2, and I like halestorm!

[northernangel]

40 minutes ago, Jos92 said:

Not that I think MiW would sub, but they are playing the AO in Manchester and the Hydro in Glasgow on this run, plus the smaller regional arenas.

 

Still think it's bizarre Halestorm are playing the o2, and I like halestorm!

 

I find it odd that Halestorm would sub but they just worked their way up. I think Disturbed are the only option that could alter those 3 for me and it's just too soon again, they dont play that regularly. All apart from once being a 3 year gap it has been a 5 festival gap for them. So while including covid years it is time again, it would be pushing it. I would however take Yungblud, Disturbed, ADTR as a trio all day long.

[Jos92]

2 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

I find it odd that Halestorm would sub but they just worked their way up. I think Disturbed are the only option that could alter those 3 for me and it's just too soon again, they dont play that regularly. All apart from once being a 3 year gap it has been a 5 festival gap for them. So while including covid years it is time again, it would be pushing it. I would however take Yungblud, Disturbed, ADTR as a trio all day long.

I think that's the most likely option unless another act comes along in the meantime in other festival announcements that we aren't expecting to be active next summer, holding out hope for Evanescence to be around next summer myself!

[TWY2911]

What are we thinking for opus, avalanche and dogtooth headliners? 

 

Keep seeing AIC shouts for opus but I think they are bigger than that and could probably sub main, my guess would be Killswitch, Amyl and Megadeth's last UK festival 

 

I'd love to see The Wonder Years get the avalanche headline spot (not just because they are my favorite band lol) because of their brilliant live energy 

 

I don't think I'm qualified to predict Dogtooth as it's not normally my style 

[Andre91]

38 minutes ago, TWY2911 said:

What are we thinking for opus, avalanche and dogtooth headliners? 

 

Keep seeing AIC shouts for opus but I think they are bigger than that and could probably sub main, my guess would be Killswitch, Amyl and Megadeth's last UK festival 

 

I'd love to see The Wonder Years get the avalanche headline spot (not just because they are my favorite band lol) because of their brilliant live energy 

 

I don't think I'm qualified to predict Dogtooth as it's not normally my style 

Opus: A Day To Remember, Alice In Chains & Volbeat 

 

Avalanche: Bloodhound Gang, letlive. & Bilmuri 

 

Dogtooth: Blood Incantation, Static-X & Perturbator

Edited September 7, 2025 by Andre91

[craigcharles420]

57 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

I find it odd that Halestorm would sub but they just worked their way up. I think Disturbed are the only option that could alter those 3 for me and it's just too soon again, they dont play that regularly. All apart from once being a 3 year gap it has been a 5 festival gap for them. So while including covid years it is time again, it would be pushing it. I would however take Yungblud, Disturbed, ADTR as a trio all day long.

Disturbed deserve to get bottled if they make an appearance

[OllieJ77]

MIW are for me third on bill rather than subs. They’re doing arenas but don’t think they’re fully sold out. Don Broco do arenas and they were third down. It’s a solid spot and booking for all involved. Last time MIW played was late in the day on second stage so main stage third from top is a good step up. 

[Andre91]

Third down is perfect for MIW. They packed out the second stage in 2023. Guaranteed great set too. 

[OllieJ77]

46 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

Third down is perfect for MIW. They packed out the second stage in 2023. Guaranteed great set too. 

Agreed. Seeing them on their tour and their last very good performance!

[Jos92]

2 hours ago, Andre91 said:

Opus: A Day To Remember, Alice In Chains & Volbeat 

 

Avalanche: Bloodhound Gang, letlive. & Bilmuri 

 

Dogtooth: Blood Incantation, Static-X & Perturbator

Wasn't this tour letlive was on this year (and played trees at) a farewell tour?

[Andre91]

1 hour ago, Jos92 said:

Wasn't this tour letlive was on this year (and played trees at) a farewell tour?

Seemed to be some speculation that they’re going to continue. I’m sure it was fuelled by comments Jason made or something.

[northernangel]

 

4 hours ago, TWY2911 said:

What are we thinking for opus, avalanche and dogtooth headliners? 

 

Keep seeing AIC shouts for opus but I think they are bigger than that and could probably sub main, my guess would be Killswitch, Amyl and Megadeth's last UK festival 

 

I'd love to see The Wonder Years get the avalanche headline spot (not just because they are my favorite band lol) because of their brilliant live energy 

 

I don't think I'm qualified to predict Dogtooth as it's not normally my style 

 

INK, MM, AIC, Volbeat - 3 of those 4.

 

I think Amyl, Megadeth, MIW will also make up selections of the 3rd down/second stage headliner slots with 6 of the mentioned all doing those two spots.

[Audiorocker]

14 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

 

INK, MM, AIC, Volbeat - 3 of those 4.

 

I think Amyl, Megadeth, MIW will also make up selections of the 3rd down/second stage headliner slots with 6 of the mentioned all doing those two spots.

It feels like this year's line up will be deeper for quality 👍

[Jos92]

2 hours ago, Andre91 said:

Seemed to be some speculation that they’re going to continue. I’m sure it was fuelled by comments Jason made or something.

Ah yes the old "we've sold a load of tickets because we said it was the farewell tour I'm sure this will translate into a second tour" or as it's known in NI, the wolfetones special

[OllieJ77]

8 hours ago, Audiorocker said:

It feels like this year's line up will be deeper for quality 👍

Just speculation at this stage and fans guessing but I guess a lot of it is based off who played in 2022 and 2023 due to come back and who hasn’t played in ages. Either way I’m hoping for it and looking forward to it.

 

Do people think ADTR are going to come back after doing festivals in Europe this summer and UK? I seen a few saw them as sub but for me I’m not sure they’ll come over next summer and if they do come back it’ll be a proper smaller arena tour is my guess. Would love them back at DL they were class at SD!

[NorthernSoul52]

Do wonder how Ghost might tweak their show for the festivals.

 

1 Peacefield

2 Lachryma

3 Spillways

4 Rats

5 From the Pinnacle to the Pit 

6 Guiding Lights

7 Cirice

8 Darkness at the Heart of My Love

9 Satanized

10 He Is

11 Year Zero

12 Kiss the Go-Goat

13 Mummy Dust

14 Monstrance Clock

15 Square Hammer

 

16 Umbra

17 Mary on a Cross

18 Dance Macabre

 

Think the only difference is you might bring in Guiding Lights - probably the most lighters-out ballad they've got, and with a bit of TikTok crossover again - plus make room for Spillways again. Maybe Call Me Little Sunshine finds a place in there too.