Dates, headliners, full lineup by day and stage, tickets, camping,
travel to Donington Park and RockHeardle band guides — everything you
need to plan the weekend.
Download Festival is the UK's biggest dedicated rock and metal
camping festival. Held every June at Donington Park in
Leicestershire — a site with deep roots in British heavy music
history through the Monsters of Rock concerts — it has run
annually since 2003 and grown into one of the most important rock
events in Europe.
Download 2026 runs Wednesday 10 June to Sunday 14 June, with the
main music days on Friday 12, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June.
Camping opens from Wednesday. The three headliners are
Limp Bizkit (Friday),
Guns N' Roses (Saturday) and
Linkin Park (Sunday). The full lineup spans four
stages across the main arena days.
Always verify dates, set times, stage assignments and ticket
availability on the official Download Festival website before
booking anything — information can change as the festival
approaches.
Download 2026 Headliners
Friday 12 June · Apex Stage
Limp Bizkit
Nu metal icons returning to the Download Apex Stage. Break
Stuff, Rollin', Nookie — expect huge crowd energy and one of the
most entertaining sets of the weekend.
Classic hard rock headliner with one of the biggest catalogues
in rock — Sweet Child O' Mine, Welcome to the Jungle, November
Rain. A pure singalong festival set.
Alternative rock and nu metal legends closing Download 2026.
Crawling, In the End, Numb, One Step Closer — emotional arena
anthems in a festival field.
Full festival access plus camping from Wednesday 10 June. The
most popular ticket type and best value for the full Download
experience.
🎟 Day Tickets
Available for Friday, Saturday and Sunday separately. Best if
you have a specific headliner in mind or don't want to camp. No
campsite access with day tickets.
🏕 Campsite Upgrades
Download offers upgraded camping options including quieter
campsites, comfort packages and premium areas. Check
availability when booking your ticket.
📱 Digital Tickets
Download 2026 tickets are digital — stored in the official
Download app or Ticketmaster app depending on where purchased.
Download and test the app before travel.
Always buy Download Festival tickets from the official website or
official ticket partners. Always check the official site for
current availability — some ticket types can sell out well in
advance.
Camping is central to the Download experience. Donington Park has
large campsite areas that open from Wednesday, giving early
arrivals time to settle in before the main music days. The right
campsite choice depends on what you prioritise — lively
atmosphere, quiet sleep or easier access to facilities.
Arrive early: the best campsite spots near
facilities and festival walkways go fast on Wednesday and
Thursday.
Bring the right gear: waterproof tent, sleeping
bag rated for cold nights, wellies, waterproof jacket, layers,
portable phone charger, cash and a camping mallet for tent pegs.
Plan for UK weather: Donington in June can be
hot, wet, muddy, cold or all four in the same weekend. Pack for
all conditions.
Know your campsite name: note your campsite
area, entrance point and landmarks before your phone battery
gets low.
Check banned items: Download's list of
prohibited items can change each year — check the official
website before packing.
Getting to Download Festival at Donington Park
🚗 By Car
Nearest junctions are M1 J23A and M42 J13. Plan parking in
advance and expect heavy traffic on festival arrival and
departure days. Pre-booked parking is usually cheaper.
🚌 By Coach
Official coach packages run from major UK cities directly to the
festival site. Useful if you don't want to drive and can travel
with luggage on a dedicated service.
🚂 By Train
East Midlands Parkway is the nearest rail station, with shuttle
bus services to the site. Derby and Loughborough also have
connections. Book trains early for festival weekends.
✈ By Air
East Midlands Airport is approximately 3 miles from Donington
Park. Onward transport to the site via taxi, shuttle or coach —
confirm connections before booking flights.
Download Festival 2026 FAQ
When is Download Festival 2026?
Download Festival 2026 runs
Wednesday 10 June to Sunday 14 June 2026.
Camping opens Wednesday 10 June. The main arena music days are
Friday 12 June, Saturday 13 June and Sunday 14 June.
Where is Download Festival held?
Download Festival is held at
Donington Park, Castle Donington, Leicestershire. It has been at this location since 2003, continuing the
site's history of major rock events that dates back to the
Monsters of Rock festival era.
Who is headlining Download Festival 2026?
The three Apex Stage headliners for Download Festival 2026 are
Limp Bizkit on Friday 12
June, Guns N' Roses on
Saturday 13 June and
Linkin Park on Sunday 14
June.
Are there day tickets for Download 2026?
Yes — Download 2026 offers individual day tickets for Friday,
Saturday and Sunday in addition to weekend camping tickets. Day
tickets do not include campsite access. Check the official
Download Festival website for current availability and pricing.
Can you camp at Download Festival?
Yes. Download Festival is primarily a camping festival, with the
campsite opening on Wednesday 10 June. Multiple campsite options
are available including standard, quieter and upgraded areas.
Camping is included with weekend tickets.
How do I get to Download Festival at Donington Park?
By car: M1 J23A or M42 J13. By train: East Midlands Parkway with
shuttle buses to the site. By coach: official packages from
major UK cities. East Midlands Airport is approximately 3 miles
away. Always plan and book travel before the festival — roads
get very busy on arrival and departure days.
Are Download Festival 2026 tickets digital?
Yes — Download 2026 tickets are digital and accessed through the
official Download app or Ticketmaster app. Download and set up
the correct app before travelling and ensure your phone is
charged. Backup screenshots are recommended.
