✍️THE COUNTDOWN TO DOWNLOAD 2026

Download 2025 had it all – joy, tears, and triumphs. Green Day, Sleep Token, and Korn delivered headliner sets that couldn’t have been more different, yet each left an indelible mark on Donington’s history.

The bar for 2026 is sky-high, but that’s the beauty of Download: whether it’s the legends, the underdogs, or the surprises no one saw coming, Donington always delivers. And like everyone else who trudged through the mud with a smile this year, I’ll be right back in that field, waiting for the next chapter.

Photo Credit: Matt Higgs

Who Might Take the Main Stage?

As Download 2025 fades into memory, speculation is already reaching fever pitch for 2026. Fans are buzzing about potential line-ups, social media is alive with guesses, and the excitement of returning to Donington Park is already tangible. Every year, Download balances legends, returning favourites, and groundbreaking new acts, and next year looks like it could be no different.

Headliner Theories

Parkway Drive seem like a natural choice for the main stage. Known for their relentless touring, pit-filling energy, pyro shows and stadium-shaking moments, they’ve become one of metal’s most powerful live acts. System of a Down could also make waves with their June/July tour, so there's a high chance they could headline. Their politically charged, genre-bending nu-metal and unrivalled stage energy are perfect for a festival that thrives on chaos and spectacle.

A Download headline slot would be a dream come true for long-time fans. Linkin Park remains a fan favourite and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The addition of their new singer has reignited global buzz, proving the band can carry their legacy forward while exploring fresh territory.

Deftones are another exciting possibility. After hosting an incredible outdoor event at Crystal Palace and smashing their Glastonbury headline set, it feels like their headline time at Download has arrived. Despite their long career, they’ve never headlined here, making this a potential milestone. Ghost could bring their theatrical flair and stage presence to Donington, combining melodic rock with darkly cinematic showmanship.

And then there’s Nickelback. Honestly, if they don’t make it, I'm throwing hands. After not performing in the UK since 2018, they smashed their 2024 sold-out shows. Fans are hungry for more, and a 2025 tour could easily lead to a Download appearance.

Photo Credit: Carolina Faruolo

Ground-Breaking Artists

If the headliners are the giants, the rising stars are the sparks lighting up the stages.

Heriot, with their experimental edge, have been making waves in the UK scene and could bring some serious heaviness to Download. Thrown are quickly becoming the voice of the new heavy generation. Their raw aggression, razor-sharp bite, and uncompromising intensity have already earned them a loyal cult following. Their Avalanche Stage debut has all the makings of one of 2026’s true breakout moments. Thornhill are similarly on the rise, blending grit, groove and atmosphere in a way that demands attention and sets them apart as one of the scene’s most exciting names to watch.

The Pretty Wild bring theatrical energy and a rebellious spirit, making them a perfect fit for Download’s new generation of fans. The Las Vegas sister duo twist metalcore into their own genre-bending form. Waterparks continue to blur the lines between pop-punk, alt-rock, and chaos, creating high-energy sets that are impossible not to bounce along to. Nova Twins are shaking up the scene with their futuristic bass-driven rock, combining punk attitude with genre-defying beats. Yukina – a rising metalcore star with soaring vocals and explosive instrumentation – could easily steal hearts on the Avalanche Stage before breaking into festival fame.

Extra Artists That Might Make an Appearance

There’s always room for some crowd-pleasing favourites and festival staples. Bad Omens bring polished metalcore with emotional intensity – and their new tracks have only heightened anticipation. Their evolving sound feels tailor-made for a late-evening set at Download, where their mix of atmosphere and aggression could captivate the entire field.

Slaughter to Prevail deliver the kind of face-melting deathcore that makes the pit feel like a battlefield. With their huge January tour behind them, their energy and momentum could spill straight into Donington, setting the fields ablaze with brutal breakdowns and unrelenting intensity.

Alkaline Trio mix punk energy with singalong choruses, delivering the kind of set that fuses nostalgia with fresh drive. Their knack for catchy hooks makes them a perfect fit for Download’s eclectic crowd. Breaking Benjamin are always reliable for their anthemic hard rock. Known for soaring choruses and emotional weight, they bring a consistency that guarantees massive singalongs and a wall of sound. Ice Nine Kills add theatrical horror flair to every performance.

Photo Credit: Matt Higgs

From elaborate costumes to blood-soaked theatrics, they transform their sets into immersive spectacles, ensuring no one leaves without a memory burned into their mind. Pierce The Veil continue to craft jaw-dropping, high-energy performances that thrive on connection with the crowd. Whether on the main or second stage, their mix of post-hardcore fire and emotional resonance is sure to light up Donington once again.

With headliners who could make history, groundbreaking artists poised to take their first steps on a massive stage, and extra acts that could ignite chaos and excitement, Download 2026 is shaping up to be unmissable. Strap in, because if the rumours are right, Donington is about to get loud, emotional, and unforgettable all over again.

You can still get tickets at www.downloadfestival.co.uk