The 2026 ACL Festival lineup features a mix of pop icons and emerging artists, celebrating its 25th anniversary at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. This year marks a notable absence — no major country headliner graces the stage. Instead, fans can expect an eclectic array of talent.
Headliners include Charli XCX, Lorde, Rüfüs Du Sol, and Twenty One Pilots. Interestingly, the festival will see Skrillex and Kings of Leon performing only for Weekend 1 and Weekend 2, respectively. The event spans two weekends: October 2-4 and October 9-11.
Key facts about the festival:
- The festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026.
- Three-day tickets go on sale on May 5, 2026, at 12 p.m. CT.
- Austin acts like Asleep At The Wheel and Night Traveler are also featured in the lineup.
This year’s diverse offerings have sparked excitement among fans. However, some have expressed disappointment over the absence of anticipated names like Olivia Rodrigo, whose exclusion was unexpected given her popularity. Observers note that this lack of a nostalgia play with a classic rock band is also significant — it seems to reflect changing tastes in the music scene.
C3 Presents, the festival’s promoter, has played a pivotal role in shaping ACL Fest since its inception in 2002. The festival has grown substantially over the years, attracting around 75,000 fans each day. It has contributed over $4.7 billion to Austin’s economy since 2006 — an impressive feat for any music festival.
This year’s lineup is poised to attract both longtime fans and new attendees eager to experience live music in one of Texas’ most iconic venues. As anticipation builds for ticket sales, one thing is clear: ACL Fest continues to evolve while remaining a cornerstone of Austin’s vibrant music culture.
