The 2026 ACL Festival lineup has come under fire for its lack of hip-hop and country music representation, despite being held in Texas. The festival will take place at Zilker Park in Austin over two weekends: October 2-4 and October 9-11.
This year’s headliners include Charli XCX, Lorde, Twenty One Pilots, Skrillex, Kings of Leon, Rüfüs Du Sol, and The xx. Young Miko stands out as the only strictly hip-hop artist on the lineup. This marks a notable shift as last year saw no top-billed rappers.
The festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026. However, this year’s lineup emphasizes EDM artists heavily. Critics have raised concerns about the absence of country music acts, especially given the genre’s resurgence in popularity.
Key facts:
- Tickets for general admission three-day passes start at $370.
- Sales went live on May 5, 2026.
- Historically, ACL Fest has featured at least one prominent rapper each year since 2011 until recently.
Many fans question the decision to omit country representation. M.S., a local critic, stated, “For a festival planted in Texas, during a year when country music seems to have entered a renaissance, the omission feels surprising.”
No timeline has been shared regarding any additional artists or changes to the current lineup. As anticipation builds for the festival’s return, audiences await further announcements.