Portugal’s Rock in Rio Lisbon has stolen a march on the competition by announcing Linkin Park as its first headliner for 2026.
The US rockers, who have previously graced the event’s main stage in 2008, 2012 and 2014, will top the bill on 21 June next year. Tickets went on sale today, priced €89 for general admission and €157 for a weekend pass.
The biennial festival’s 11th edition will take place in Parque Tejo from 20-21 & 27-28 June 2026.
“We are very pleased to announce Linkin Park as the first major headliner for Rock in Rio Lisboa 2026,” says Rock in Rio EVP Roberta Medina. “The band has an emotional and historic connection with the festival — having performed at several editions. They are one of the biggest bands in the world, with tremendous relevance in music history.
“Choosing Rock in Rio Lisboa to be part of their world tour on this return to the stage reinforces the scale and prestige of our festival.”
Linkin Park also headlined last weekend’s 2025 UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show in Munich and are set to play stadiums across Europe this summer.
This announcement marks the start of a strategic journey that goes far beyond music
The band’s confirmation as Rock in Rio Lisbon headliners coincides with the launch of the Road to Rock in Rio project, billed as a “national and international communication journey” featuring experiences and activations across various cities in Portugal and Europe.
To enhance audience comfort, the festival site is also being expanded by 25%, with organisers strengthening its premium hospitality and services offering by creating distinctive areas within the venue, to be managed by partners and tour operators.
According to a study by Nova SBE, Rock in Rio Lisbon 2024 generated an economic impact equivalent to €120 million for the Portuguese economy, representing €11.8m in tax revenue.
“This announcement marks the start of a strategic journey that goes far beyond music,” says Medina. “Rock in Rio Lisboa takes place only every two years and has become an unmissable destination on the international circuit of major events — a true hub of culture, sustainability and innovation that projects Portugal onto the world stage as a creative, inspiring and emotionally significant country.
“We are a global project with Portuguese DNA and we want to be, increasingly, a lever to position the city and the country as a cultural and emotional destination.”
Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.
The post First festival headliner for 2026 revealed appeared first on IQ Magazine.