Louder Than Life 2026 / Full Lineup For America’s Largest Rock And Metal Festival

Louder Than Life returns to the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, from 17-20 September 2026 for its 12th edition and this is the biggest lineup in the festival’s history.

Produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, the four-day event will feature nearly 200 bands across seven stages, with the following top-billed artists:

• Thursday, 17 September: Iron Maiden, Pantera, Megadeth
• Friday, 18 September: My Chemical Romance, Pierce The Veil, A Day To Remember
• Saturday, 19 September: Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, Sublime
• Sunday, 20 September: TOOL, Gojira, Danny Elfman

Saturday is also set to spotlight a prominent female-dominated stage lineup at a major U.S. Rock festival, featuring Halestorm, In This Moment, Lindsey Stirling, Orianthi, Icon For Hire, Kami Kehoe, and Diamante.

Organisers also tease a Mystery Guest band making their live debut at Louder Than Life, plus a Very Special Guest, described as “one of the biggest Heavy bands of the modern era,” to be announced at a later date.

Special Appearances And Reunions

• Pantera’s only U.S. show of 2026
• Danny Elfman’s first show in the Eastern half of the U.S. in nearly a decade
• One of Megadeth’s final farewell performances
• Reunion sets from Circa Survive, Get Scared, Blood For Blood, Metal Church, Primer 55, Sent By Ravens and 40 Below Summer
• Jimmy Eat World celebrating the 25th anniversary of Bleed American
• Sleeping With Sirens celebrating the 15th anniversary of Let’s Cheers To This
• Skillet billed for a special pyrotechnic performance

“Last year, we took over Kentucky Kingdom and broke Rock festival records,” Danny Wimmer said. “This year, we’re back to deliver the ultimate Rock escape. Louder Than Life is your playground – ride the coasters, catch legendary and emerging bands, enjoy incredible food and bourbon, and dive headfirst into the Rock experience you’ve been waiting for. It’s time to let loose and have fun. We’ll see you soon.”

Tickets And Info

Passes are on sale now via the official festival site. Options include 4-day and single-day tiers across GA, VIP and Angel’s Envy Top Shelf VIP, plus bundled options including the Exacta Pass (Louder Than Life and Bourbon & Beyond), LoudINK Pass (Louder Than Life and Inkcarceration), and the Traveler’s Pass (Louder Than Life, Inkcarceration and Sonic Temple).

All Louder Than Life passholders also have free access to select amusement rides inside Kentucky Kingdom, open exclusively to festival attendees.

Louder Than Life – Full Lineup (Subject To Change)