Rock in Rio Lisbon kicks off the countdown to its 11th edition, scheduled for 20th – 21st and 27th – 28th June 2026, with the announcement of Linkin Park as the headliners for 21st June. Having attracted over 300,000 people to Parque Tejo in 2024, the festival now confirms the first act for its 2026 lineup. Just one year to go until Rock in Rio Lisbon 2026, and the countdown starts now! Tickets on sale from 6th June at 8am at tickets.rockinriolisboa.pt (powered by Fever), feverup.com, Worten stores and worten.pt
Following their performance at the UEFA Champions League Final — the world’s biggest annual football event — Linkin Park announce their 2026 world tour, which includes a highly anticipated stop at Rock in Rio Lisbon on 21st June, marking a much-awaited return for both the band’s and the festival’s fans!
But that’s not the only news. The 2026 edition begins now, with the launch of the Road to Rock in Rio project — a national and international communication journey featuring experiences and activations across various cities in Portugal and Europe.
At the heart of this journey is the ALL IN RIO campaign which for this edition places people and their hopes for a better world at the centre of the conversation. The campaign revolves around the iconic signs from the Main Stage, which will travel to various locations, inviting the public to write their messages of unity, peace and hope for a better world.
These messages will then be projected onto the Main Stage during the festival, making visible the collective strength of those who believe in a more positive world — and placing each person at the heart of City of Rock.
Rock in Rio Lisbon continues its mission to provide unforgettable experiences and to contribute to establishing Lisbon and Portugal as a global reference in music, culture and entertainment. In this regard, the festival strengthens its international presence with the aim of projecting Portugal’s vibrant, creative and inspiring image, capable of engaging audiences worldwide around experiences full of purpose and emotion.
Roberta Medina, Executive Vice-President of Rock in Rio said:
“We are very pleased to announce Linkin Park as the first major headliner for Rock in Rio Lisboa 2026. The band has an emotional and historic connection with the festival — having performed at several editions, delivering unforgettable nights, and being one of the most requested bands by our fans. They are one of the biggest bands in the world, with tremendous relevance in music history. Choosing Rock in Rio Lisboa to be part of their world tour on this return to the stage reinforces the scale and prestige of our festival, which is established as one of the most significant in Europe. More than just a major name on the lineup, this announcement marks the start of a strategic journey that goes far beyond music. Rock in Rio Lisboa takes place only every two years and has become an unmissable destination on the international circuit of major events — a true hub of culture, sustainability and innovation that projects Portugal onto the world stage as a creative, inspiring and emotionally significant country.”
LINKIN PARK: ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED RETURNS BY FANS TO ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST ICONIC FESTIVALS
Today marks exactly 11 years since Linkin Park took to the Main Stage at Rock in Rio Lisbon, in what was their last performance in Portugal — a night etched in the memories of thousands of fans. Linkin Park return to present the tour for their new album, From Zero, the first featuring their new vocalist, Emily Armstrong. The band, in fact, has a historic connection with the festival, having performed on the Main Stage in the 2008, 2012 and 2014 editions, and over the years has been one of the most requested bands by Portuguese fans.
ABOUT LINKIN PARK:
LINKIN PARK emerged as an innovative musical force and are one of the best-selling bands of the past 20 years. Their debut album, Hybrid Theory, certified Diamond by the RIAA, remains the best-selling debut album of the 21st century, while their impactful second album, Meteora, reached number one on the Billboard Top 200 even before achieving eight platinum certifications in the US.
The band’s worldwide sales exceed 100 million, and among numerous accolades and honours, Linkin Park have won 2 Grammy Awards, 6 American Music Awards, 4 MTV VMA Awards, 10 MTV Europe Music Awards and 3 World Music Awards. Selling out stadiums across the globe, the band has headlined the biggest festivals worldwide and remains the first and only Western rock band to tour five stadiums in China. Their 2017 album, One More Light, marked their fifth debut at number one on the Billboard 200. In 2020, the band celebrated the 20th anniversary of their debut album, Hybrid Theory, with a deluxe edition release.
In 2023, the band also released a special anniversary edition of the Meteora album, which topped the charts and featured the newly discovered track “Lost,” recorded during the Meteora sessions but not included in the original album. Following its release, “Lost” quickly reached number one on both alternative and rock radio charts.
In 2024, Linkin Park released their first greatest hits album, Papercuts, featuring the track “Friendly Fire,” which also reached the top of the Alternative Rock charts. On 5th September, the band made a triumphant return to the top of the charts with “The Emptiness Machine,” which exploded as the country’s number one rock song and the biggest rock track of 2024. It quickly climbed to number one on both the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay Chart and the Alternative Airplay Chart. In total, the band has achieved an impressive 13 number-one entries on the latter chart — the second highest in history — with three of those occurring in the last eighteen months.
Linkin Park released their 8th studio album, From Zero, on 15th November through Warner Records, once again topping charts worldwide and surpassing one billion streams. The band has always prioritised social causes to make the world a better place, helping to raise millions over the years for victims of natural disasters.
ROCK IN RIO LISBON: AN AMBASSADOR FOR LISBON AND PORTUGAL TO THE WORLD
“Reinforcing Turismo de Portugal’s Portugal Music Festivals Headliners campaign, Rock in Rio Lisboa establishes itself as one of the major ambassadors for Lisbon and Portugal worldwide” from Lídia Monteiro (Turismo de Portugal)
According to a study by Nova SBE, Rock in Rio Lisboa 2014 generated an economic impact of approximately €120 million for the national economy, representing €11.8 million in tax revenue (VAT and income tax) and boosting the tourism, accommodation, catering and transport sectors.
The event attracted a global audience, with 80% of attendees coming from outside the Lisbon Municipality, and visitors from over 100 countries including Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Switzerland, Brazil and the USA, among others.
This impact follows a global trend. According to a recent analysis published in IQ Magazine, music and festival tourism is projected to reach $267 billion by 2030, demonstrating how music today is a powerful driver of international mobilisation of people, creativity and economy. Rock in Rio Lisboa positions itself as an unmissable destination on this global circuit of major events, establishing itself as one of the most significant festivals in Europe.
“We are a global project with Portuguese DNA and we want to be, increasingly, a lever to position the city and the country as a cultural and emotional destination”, says Roberta Medina.
PREMIUM HOSPITALITY AND EXPERIENCES
To respond to the growing demand for Portugal as a destination for international corporate events, Rock in Rio Lisboa has created a series of exclusive and distinctive areas within the venue. These will be managed by various partners and tour operators, joining the more than 350 companies that work together to make one of the world’s biggest events happen.
Within this framework, the Travel & Stay project emerges, targeting the corporate and MICE market and focusing on offering exclusive tour packages and experiences, as well as creating new areas such as the Corporate Area, aimed at groups and companies; and the Premium Club, the boxes with the best view of the Main Stage. Additionally, there will be rooftops, rest areas, and the well-known VIP Area, which will also feature private zones for groups.
Still within the scope of hospitality and focused on the general public, the Comfort Zone will be introduced near the front of the stage, featuring exclusive bars and restrooms. To enhance audience comfort throughout the venue, the site will be expanded by 25%, ensuring more circulation space and greater convenience for all, including a 40% increase in restrooms and a 30% increase in dining areas.
With the growing demand for Portugal as a destination for corporate events and brand experiences, Rock in Rio Lisboa is strengthening its premium hospitality and services offering by creating distinctive areas within the venue. These will be managed by partners and tour operators, joining more than 350 companies collaborating to bring one of the world’s largest events to life.Travel & Stay: foco no mercado corporativo e MICE
Within this context, the Travel & Stay project was created, targeting the corporate and MICE segment, focusing on personalised tour packages, exclusive experiences, and privileged access to the festival. This offering includes new areas such as:
- Corporate Area – designed for groups and companies;
- Premium Club – boxes with the best view of the Main Stage;
- Lounges and Brand Rooftops – with dedicated services;
- And the well-known VIP Area, which will feature private zones for groups.
Focusing on the general public, the festival also introduces the new Comfort Zone — a paid-access area located at the side near the Main Stage, designed for those seeking greater comfort without missing the excitement of the big concerts. This zone will feature exclusive bars and restrooms, rest areas, and a privileged view.
A Larger and More Comfortable Venue
In 2026, the City of Rock will be 25% larger, offering more circulation space, additional green areas, and rest spots.
This expansion includes
- 40% more restrooms available throughout the venue,
- 30% more dining areas,
- Reorganisation of flow to improve mobility and the overall audience experience.
About Rock in Rio:
Rock in Rio is the international brand behind the world’s largest music and entertainment event. Created in 1985 in Rio de Janeiro, it is a significant part of global music history. The event has now reached 24 editions, spanning 141 days and featuring over 4,667 musical acts. Over the years, more than 12.2 million people have attended the Cidade do Rock events in Portugal, Brazil, Spain and the United States.
In Portugal, there have been ten editions to date, and over the 48 festival days, more than 3 million people have attended Cidade do Rock in Lisbon, with over 1,200 musical acts performed. The festival has invested more than €250 million, generated over 101,000 jobs (direct and indirect), allocated around €5.7 million to socio-environmental causes, and promoted numerous initiatives, including the installation of photovoltaic panels in schools, a reforestation project for burnt forests, equipping hospitals and social support institutions, and the construction of sensory rooms for young people, among others.
In the latest edition, according to a study by Nova SBE, Rock in Rio generated an economic impact equivalent to €120 million for the national economy, representing €11.8 million in tax revenue.
In 2026, the festival returns to Parque Tejo on 20th, 21st, 27th and 28th June, with new content and attractions, alongside the Road to Rock in Rio, featuring activities and activations from north to south of the country and in major cities across Europe.
Official website of Rock in Rio Lisboa: http://rockinriolisboa.pt
Tickets on sale from 6th June at 8am at tickets.rockinriolisboa.pt (powered by Fever), feverup.com, Worten stores and worten.pt
