Download 2026

[Andre91]

I still keep thinking Blink might be about. I also keep thinking Bizkit will be now too. 
 

2026: Ghost, Limp Bizkit & Linkin Park 

 

2027: Deftones, Iron Maiden & System Of A Down 

 

 

Edited September 17, 2025 by Andre91

[northernangel]

24 minutes ago, Jos92 said:

I just don't see System racing back again, with how infrequently Serj seems to want to tour.

 

They might literally have just come over and targeted countries they know they can get the outdoor shows of their own at in at the best prices and be done. It wouldn't make sense when I think about it while over here not to do any Belgium, Spain, Portugal or like any dates in places they thought they could. You would cash in while the iron is really hot if it meant staying over here for another week. But they have exactly 9 dates covered which the interview said in that ballpark which was likely dependent on multiple dates. There is many places they could still play but Serj will likely be sick of being on the road by then and play back in the states in 2027. With LP, not announcing the extra Wembley date suggested to me they would do Download, that is the only thing suggesting to me MCR may not, but doing two dates at Spurs also tells me the same thing.

 

@Andre91 the fact we are saying that Deftones would not be taking a risk tells but after the interview about 27 and 28 that those those in 27 won't be the headliners. You're more likely to get two of your 26 headliners in 27 for that reason.

[Jos92]

3 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

They might literally have just come over and targeted countries they know they can get the outdoor shows of their own at in at the best prices and be done. It wouldn't make sense when I think about it while over here not to do any Belgium, Spain, Portugal or like any dates in places they thought they could. You would cash in while the iron is really hot if it meant staying over here for another week. But they have exactly 9 dates covered which the interview said in that ballpark which was likely dependent on multiple dates. There is many places they could still play but Serj will likely be sick of being on the road by then and play back in the states in 2027. With LP, not announcing the extra Wembley date suggested to me they would do Download, that is the only thing suggesting to me MCR may not, but doing two dates at Spurs also tells me the same thing.

 

@Andre91 the fact we are saying that Deftones would not be taking a risk tells but after the interview about 27 and 28 that those those in 27 won't be the headliners. You're more likely to get two of your 26 headliners in 27 for that reason.

There was someone (maybe on this thread) and now on the download forums that seems very sure MCR are announcing more UK dates next and and they also said they were targeting the Euro fest run for 2027, so if that comes off next week MCR might be back on the table.

[OllieJ77]

5 minutes ago, Jos92 said:

There was someone (maybe on this thread) and now on the download forums that seems very sure MCR are announcing more UK dates next and and they also said they were targeting the Euro fest run for 2027, so if that comes off next week MCR might be back on the table.

It won’t be MCR for 2026, could defo see 2027 given 20 years since they last played.

[OllieJ77]

32 minutes ago, Andre91 said:

I still keep thinking Blink might be about. I also keep thinking Bizkit will be now too. 
 

2026: Ghost, Limp Bizkit & Linkin Park 

 

2027: Deftones, Iron Maiden & System Of A Down 

 

 

I’m holding out still for Blink but I’m not so sure now sadly. Had a bit of info passed to me today which is why I think it’s LB, GnR and LP. Person won’t say who headliners are but gave some info which matches up with the previous rumour. Take with a pinch of salt of course as they wouldn’t confirm when I said those 3 band names just said they aren’t saying. 

[northernangel]

7 minutes ago, Jos92 said:

There was someone (maybe on this thread) and now on the download forums that seems very sure MCR are announcing more UK dates next and and they also said they were targeting the Euro fest run for 2027, so if that comes off next week MCR might be back on the table.

They will definitely take a bigger risk on 27 I think but I think Maiden will be one of them. Could end up with Maiden, MCR and SOAD for all we know but I doubt it. SOAD I'd be least sure on.

[northernangel]

2 minutes ago, OllieJ77 said:

I’m holding out still for Blink but I’m not so sure now sadly. Had a bit of info passed to me today which is why I think it’s LB, GnR and LP. Person won’t say who headliners are but gave some info which matches up with the previous rumour. Take with a pinch of salt of course as they wouldn’t confirm when I said those 3 band names just said they aren’t saying. 

 

If LB are got for some silly reason after literally playing everywhere, it would add to the rumor of LB playing RAR, which would also be poor after playing under Foos in 3rd 3 years ago but LB, Foos, LP wipes the floor with LB, GNR, LP

[OllieJ77]

3 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

If LB are got for some silly reason after literally playing everywhere, it would add to the rumor of LB playing RAR, which would also be poor after playing under Foos in 3rd 3 years ago but LB, Foos, LP wipes the floor with LB, GNR, LP

I’d go RaR in a heartbeat for that lineup. Give me Foos all day!!!

[OllieJ77]

7 minutes ago, northernangel said:

They will definitely take a bigger risk on 27 I think but I think Maiden will be one of them. Could end up with Maiden, MCR and SOAD for all we know but I doubt it. SOAD I'd be least sure on.

I agree with you on Maiden in 2027, wouldn’t be shocked if it was Maiden MCR and then a new headliner like Deftones just for example. 

[NorthernSoul52]

18 minutes ago, OllieJ77 said:

I’m holding out still for Blink but I’m not so sure now sadly. Had a bit of info passed to me today which is why I think it’s LB, GnR and LP. 

No Ghost?

 

[OllieJ77]

12 minutes ago, NorthernSoul52 said:

No Ghost?

 

Nope not based on the info passed.

[Marka23]

13 minutes ago, OllieJ77 said:

Nope not based on the info passed.

Download will have massively dropped the ball if they don't get Ghost after them doing a completely sold out arena run. Equivalent of them not going for BMTH in 2016.

[Spiral_Low]

8 hours ago, Marka23 said:

Download will have massively dropped the ball if they don't get Ghost after them doing a completely sold out arena run. Equivalent of them not going for BMTH in 2016.

Has been mentioned earlier in this thread that Ghost are an obvious choice to do the Gunnersbury Park run next year. Ok, they won't play to as many people but they'd make a tonne of cash from merch sales and it would be their own show, which might be considered important to them. 

[foolee]

Limp Bizkit would make sense, new album, riding off the wave of success/revival nu metal is having. After the success of Korn this year it makes complete sense to get them booked this year and Deftones next year. Weird about Ghost but no one knows how long this revival will last so get these new headliners booked when they’re big and Ghost are a proven arena ticket shifter that could always do it next year/year after. 

 

26 (if rumours are true): Limp Bizkit, Guns N’ Roses & Linkin Park

 

27: Deftones, Ghost & My Chemical Romance

[ThatDazFella]

If I was a betting man, I would have to go for Ghost, Maiden and LP. Regardless of the chat out there it just seems to make too much sense IMO. Those 3 bands can attract such a wide age range, you're getting another new headliner (with a great stage show), a proven staple (again with a great stage show) and a comeback band that we know will be in Europe.

[Andre91]

APEX: Ghost / Evanescence / Killswitch Engage / Behemoth / The Warning / Unto Others / Bat Sabbath 

 

OPUS: Alice In Chains / Mastodon / Superheaven / Lacuna Coil

 

AVALANCHE: Bloodhound Gang / Less Than Jake 

 

DOGTOOTH: Static-X / Cancer Bats 

 

 

 

APEX: Limp Bizkit / Trivium / Skindred / While She Sleeps / Kublai Khan TX / Nova Twins / South Arcade / Guilt Trip 

 

OPUS: Ice Nine Kills / Beartooth / Bury Tomorrow / Wargasm

 

AVALANCHE: letlive. / The Devil Wears Prada 

 

DOGTOOTH: Blood Incantation / Bloodbath

 

 

APEX: Linkin Park / Bad Omens / Motionless In White / PRESIDENT / PVRIS / Hot Milk / LANDMVRKS / thrown

 

OPUS: Volbeat / Coheed and Cambria / Paleface Swiss / Fit For A King

 

AVALANCHE: Bilmuri / Hot Mulligan 

 

DOGTOOTH: Cavalera (Chaos A.D.) / Deafheaven

 

 

[Siddey1994]

I doubt it’ll be both Ghost and LB. Much as we don’t want GnR, it’s starting to look more viable unless something changes.

 

Ghost | GnR | LP

 

edited for clarity

Edited September 18, 2025 by Siddey1994

[NorthernSoul52]

56 minutes ago, Spiral_Low said:

Has been mentioned earlier in this thread that Ghost are an obvious choice to do the Gunnersbury Park run next year. Ok, they won't play to as many people but they'd make a tonne of cash from merch sales and it would be their own show, which might be considered important to them. 

Possibly so, but at the same time, Forge has spoken about how delighted they were to get the nod for continental stuff. That being said, what major festivals have they headlined in Europe before?

[Siddey1994]

8 minutes ago, NorthernSoul52 said:

Possibly so, but at the same time, Forge has spoken about how delighted they were to get the nod for continental stuff. That being said, what major festivals have they headlined in Europe before?

They’ve headlined Hellfest before. Not sure else.

[NorthernSoul52]

Thought they'd done a few others, must have been mistaken.

[SweetJesus]

48 minutes ago, Siddey1994 said:

They’ve headlined Hellfest before. Not sure else.

Yes, but they were replacement for Faith No More.

Next summer, if they are on tour, they'll be definitively headliner on Hellfest

Edited September 18, 2025 by SweetJesus

[pete76]

[Jos92]

It's refreshing that we're still having these discussions around who will headline, last year everyone had it nailed as ST Green Day and Korn pretty early on, took half the fun out of it.

[craigcharles420]

12 hours ago, Andre91 said:

I still keep thinking Blink might be about. I also keep thinking Bizkit will be now too. 
 

2026: Ghost, Limp Bizkit & Linkin Park 

 

2027: Deftones, Iron Maiden & System Of A Down 

 

 

Man I would give anything for that 27 lineup. Could take or leave that 26 prediction but 27 would be wild

[craigcharles420]

It feels like LP being here is as certain as the Foos being at R&L. Would be amusing if the opposite were true