With less than one month to go until Download Festival 2026, organisers have lifted the lid on a slate of Beyond The Bands offerings designed to make the long weekend at Donington Park more than just five days of headliners.
Taking place 10th-14th June, DLXXIII will be headlined by Limp Bizkit, Guns N’ Roses and Linkin Park. All weekend tickets are now sold out, with last remaining Saturday day tickets available at downloadfestival.co.uk.
New for 2026 is a partnership with Final Fantasy XIV, with District X hosting a stand dedicated to the long-running MMO, while a separate collaboration with Fourth Wing sees Download-goers and fans of Rebecca Yarros’s novels invited to the General’s Office for an exclusive merchandise drop. Four Quarters Arcade Bar arrives in District X South with over 20 iconic arcade games including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Crazy Taxi and Time Crisis, plus big-screen tournaments running Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros and Guitar Hero.
The Cinema returns with its Lionsgate partnership in The Outpost, showing John Wick in honour of Keanu Reeves, who plays the Main Arena with his band Dogstar, alongside Final Fantasy XIV: Dad Of Light and A Brief History Of Skateboard Videos, a 90-minute short film programme curated by LSFF. South West Skate Ramps return to District X with free skate sessions and lessons for children.
A new Hellfire Stage in the Arena pays tribute to the late Prince of Darkness Ozzy Osbourne. Hosted by Maisie and Shane McBagley BBQ, the stage features chilli-eating competitions from the Clifton Chilli Club, hot dog eating contests from Ollie Eats, and live fire-cooking demonstrations from Shropshire Lad, The Fat Foodie, Cooking With LD and others.
Also new for 2026 are Rockschool workshops, open to children aged 8-17 and led by professional musicians and teachers across drums, guitars, bass, keyboards and microphones. The Pit, Download’s premier styling collective, lands in District X near the Mercian Axe brewery bar with master barbers, body piercers and high-impact alternative beauty on offer.
Returning favourites include Flow State wellness sessions in The Outpost, RockFit with their new RAGE Body Combat class in the Doghouse, and Raven Records’ pop-up in District X South with a curated selection of metal music, merch, alcohol-free drinks and metal-inspired coffee.
Over 160 food traders will be on site, with more options than ever for vegan, vegetarian and coeliac diets. Highlights include Lost Souls vampire-themed pizza, Bunnyman’s Bunnychow, Rock & Roll Toastie, Club Mexicana, Be A Daal, Nugs and The Roaming Rotisserie.
Download Festival 2026 takes place 10th-14th June at Donington Park.
