Louder Than Life has officially unveiled its 2026 lineup, and it marks the largest edition in the festival’s history. Produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, the four-day event will take place September 17–20, 2026, at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky. This year’s festival will feature nearly 200 bands performing across seven stages, representing metal, hard rock, punk, emo, hardcore, and alternative music.Headliners and Major Acts
The 2026 lineup is led by some of the biggest names in rock and metal:
- Iron Maiden headlines Thursday night.
- Pantera will deliver one of their only U.S. performances of 2026 on opening night.
- Megadeth joins Thursday’s stacked bill.
- My Chemical Romance tops Friday’s lineup.
- Pierce The Veil also features prominently on Friday.
- Limp Bizkit headlines Saturday.
- Papa Roach and Sublime are major Saturday highlights.
- TOOL closes the festival on Sunday.
- Gojira and Danny Elfman add depth to Sunday’s lineup.
Each day carries a distinct musical identity, spanning classic heavy metal, thrash, emo revival, rap-rock, and progressive metal.
Beyond the headliners, the festival includes a wide range of high-profile acts such as:
- BABYMETAL
- Danzig
- Rise Against
- Alice Cooper
- Ice Nine Kills
- Jimmy Eat World
- Mastodon
- Black Label Society
- Killswitch Engage
- Sabaton
- Coheed and Cambria
- Sleeping With Sirens
- In This Moment
- Dance Gavin Dance
Saturday is expected to stand out with one of the most prominent all-female-fronted lineups at a major U.S. rock festival, including Halestorm, In This Moment, Lindsey Stirling, Orianthi, Icon For Hire, Kami Kehoe, and Diamante.
Louder Than Life continues to expand beyond music. Festival pass holders will have access to Kentucky Kingdom amusement park rides. The event also features curated food selections, bourbon experiences, interactive fan zones, and artist-driven activities.
New for 2026 is the “Battle for the Big Stage” competition, allowing unsigned bands to compete for a festival slot through fan voting and live Twitch broadcasts. Additional ticket bundles, including the LoudINK Pass and Traveler’s Pass, offer combined access to multiple Danny Wimmer festivals.
Ticket Options
Available ticket tiers include:
- 4-Day General Admission
- 4-Day VIP
- 4-Day Angel’s Envy Top Shelf VIP
- Single-Day General Admission
- Single-Day VIP
- Single-Day Angel’s Envy Top Shelf VIP
Payment plans reportedly begin at $1 down, with limited quantities for premium packages.
