ACL Music Festival 2026 is just around the corner...
And anticipation is high for the official lineup release. While we eagerly await the announcement, let's delve into the rumors swirling around to try and piece together who might grace the stage this year.
The 2026 Austin City Limits Music Festival will take place October 2-4 and October 9-11, right here in Austin, Texas. Here's a sneak peek at some of the artists rumored to be making appearances this year.
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Who: Lorde
Why: Everyone is saying Lorde is a lock, but we haven't confirmed anything (yet). She's definitely on a major festival run this summer. Weekend 2 might be a stretch (she's headlining Form Festival in Arizona), but Weekend 1 still looks pretty good!
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photo credit: Harley Weir via Grammys
Who: Charli XCX
Why: She's a headliner for Lollapalooza, which is a good sign, as it's another C3 festival. This is shaping up to be a festival year for Charli, so an Austin October trek is not out of the question.
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photo credit: alexis gross via billboard
Who: Turnstile
Why: Those of us who were at that show at Moody Amphitheater last year, IYKYK. Prepare for the biggest moshpit Zilker Park has ever seen if these guys return to Austin. They're on the FORM Acrosanti lineup during Weekend 2, but we're still optimistic!
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photo credit: Jamie Wdziekonski via ATO Records
Who: Amyl & The Sniffers
Why: Speaking of that Turnstile show last year, this band was an opener and they did not disappoint. Amyl & The Sniffers are touring the South right around ACL weekends, and they've hinted more dates to be announced...
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photo via Al.com
Who: Red Clay Strays
Why: A new tour has been announced, and they've got a stop in Ft. Worth right in between ACL Weekends! They just played an ACL taping, could an encore at the park be in the works?
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photo via relix
Who: Geese
Why: The most buzzed-about band of the past year has to come to Zilker Park, right? We don't think it's a stretch, especially for Sunday Weekend 1. The second weekend, they'll be in Arizona for another festival but it could still happen then too, depending on what day they play.
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Who: Parcels
Why: Tour dates in Phoenix, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, and New Orleans, all conveniently placed around both ACL weekends. We might be willing to wager on this one happening for sure.
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photo via the pitch
Who: Bleachers
Why: The sleuths on Reddit say this one's happening, and who are we to argue about a good thing? Bleachers are wrapping up their tour in the South right around ACL Festival. What better way to send off their eventful 2026 than with the masses at Zilker?
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photo via the australian
Who: Rufus Du Sol
Why: Anybody see that sold-out show at Q2 Stadium? It's no secret that Austin LOVES this electronic crew, so ACL Fest would be a perfect fit after they're tour ends in September. They're also playing Bonnaroo, which is also booked by C3.
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photo via gq
Who: Tyler Childers
Why: There's been some debate around the Do512 office whether Tyler is coming to ACL this year. He has a date in Portland on October 3, so Weekend 1 looks unlikely, but we've still got our fingers crossed for a marquee Weekend 2 appearance!
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press photo via band website
Who: Twenty One Pilots
Why: This duo last played ACL Fest in 2015, and it was a memorable one (Tyler scaled to the top of the stage!) Needless to say, they're overdue for another trip to the park, and their doing a festival-only run this year, with more than a few C3 fests already on their schedule.
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photo via Grammys
Who: Pinkpantheress
Why: The UK pop star skipped Austin on this current tour, but she's playing a handful of festivals in North America after it wraps up. Her last confirmed date is in London in August; will she make the trip back to the States for an ATX appearance?
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Who: Alabama Shakes
Why: This beloved band just started a big tour (no Texas dates btw), and they're playing Bonnaroo (booked by C3) as well as a few other festivals. The tour dates wrap up (for now) in Santa Barbara just a few days before Weekend 1 of ACL Fest.
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photo via billboard
Who: The Chainsmokers
Why: Since we're out here speculating blindly, we're setting our sights on this EDM duo, who are playing shows all over in 2026 (but mostly Las Vegas). They've got nothing on the books for October, and expect new music from them this year, too.
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photo via prog archives
Who: Angine de Poitrine
Why: Everyone's favorite polka-dotted math rock band have taken over the algorithm, and we think they might also bring their enigmatic live show to ACL Festival. Their US tour ends in Philly early September, with a month break before heading overseas.
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photo Credit Xavier Scott Marshall for Rolling Stone
Who: Clipse
Why: Their comeback album was one of the biggest releases of 2025. Might be a stretch, but the legendary hip-hop duo is on the festival trek this year. Looks like things might wrap up in August, but maybe they've got one more in them...?
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