The 2026 ACL Festival is set to take place from October 2-4 and October 9-11 at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas, featuring a diverse array of artists that includes both established pop icons and emerging talents. This year’s lineup notably lacks a major country headliner, which has been a traditional staple in previous editions of the festival.
Key headliners include:
- Charli XCX
- Lorde
- Rüfüs Du Sol
- Twenty One Pilots
- The xx
Skrillex and Kings of Leon will perform exclusively during the first and second weekends, respectively. The festival has grown significantly since its inception in 2002, now attracting approximately 75,000 fans each day. C3 Presents, the promoter behind the festival, has positioned itself as one of the largest concert promoters in North America.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the ACL Festival, which has contributed over $4.7 billion to Austin’s economy since 2006. Observers note that while the festival continues to thrive with its eclectic mix of artists, the absence of a nostalgia-driven rock band or prominent country act raises questions about its evolving identity.
Austin acts such as Asleep At The Wheel and Night Traveler are part of this year’s lineup, reflecting the local music scene’s influence on the festival. However, despite fan predictions, Olivia Rodrigo will not be performing at this year’s event.
Important dates:
Three-day tickets go on sale on May 5, 2026, at 12 p.m. CT . and The festival will take place over two weekends: October 2-4 and October 9-11, 2026.
The ACL Festival continues to be a significant cultural event in Austin, with its blend of live music and community engagement. Yet, the decision to forgo a major country headliner might signal a shift in focus towards more contemporary genres and emerging artists.
