Hellfest, the undisputed king of European metal festivals, is already building buzz for its 19th edition in 2026. Set against the medieval charm of Clisson, France, this four-day behemoth draws over 150,000 hellbangers annually for a non-stop barrage of extreme music across six stages. While the full Hellfest 2026 lineup remains under wraps, we’ve got the essentials locked in: dates, tickets, and one confirmed act. And with rumors swirling on forums and socials, we’re diving deep into what we know, why it’s shaping up to be legendary, and our educated guesses on who could storm the main stages. If Download Festival 2025’s stacked bill (Slipknot, Green Day, Pantera) set the bar high, Hellfest 2026 is poised to shatter it—expect thrash titans, nu-metal revivals, and fresh blood to keep the pyro blazing.
From Gojira’s home soil pride to global icons clashing in the vineyards, Hellfest 2026 promises that signature blend of brutality, diversity, and communal chaos. Lineup drops typically hit in November/December, so stay vigilant. In the meantime, let’s unpack the facts, fan wishes, and our predictions. Horns up—Clisson calls.
Hellfest 2026 Essentials: Dates, Venue, and Ticket Chaos
Mark your calendars: Hellfest 2026 unleashes from Thursday, June 18 to Sunday, June 21 at the Hellfest Grounds in Clisson, Pays de la Loire, France. This picturesque village—think Gothic ruins, winding rivers, and zero tolerance for posers—transforms into a 60-hectare metal utopia, complete with free camping for ticket holders (first-come, first-served, so arrive early).
The big news? 4-day passes sold out lightning-fast on July 8, 2025, at 1 p.m. Paris time, proving demand is fiercer than ever. Day passes are slated for early 2026 (likely January/February), but they’ll vanish in minutes—prep your setup with a strong email and fast connection. No tickets yet? Hit the official resale platform at tickets.hellfest.fr for verified flips, or scout secondary markets like viagogo (but watch for fakes). Prices for 4-days hovered around €300-€350 last go-round; expect a bump. Pro tip: Wednesday early access camping opens post-sale for full immersion.
Sustainability stays core—cashless payments, eco-friendly initiatives, and a “Hellfest from Home” vibe for virtual peeps. With 160+ acts across pagan, stoner, punk, thrash, grind, and black metal, it’s not just a fest; it’s a pilgrimage.
The First Confirmed Act: Ultra Vomit Makes Amends
One band’s locked in, and it’s a grinder’s delight: French deathcore pranksters Ultra Vomit are officially on the bill, rescheduling their 2025 cancellation due to lineup tweaks. Hailing from Nantes, these satirical savages blend brutal riffs with absurd humor—think Cannibal Corpse meets The Lonely Island, minus the subtlety. Their 2026 tour hits Clisson on June 18, promising a mosh-pit of meme-worthy mayhem.
Why does this matter? Ultra Vomit reps Hellfest’s DIY ethos: local heroes with global bite. Expect them on a secondary stage like the Warzone, stirring up the early crowds. It’s a teaser of the fest’s commitment to extreme variety— from goregrind to genre-benders.
Lineup Rumors and Fan Hype: What the Hellbangers Are Whispering
As of October 6, 2025, the Hellfest 2026 lineup is a blank slate beyond Ultra Vomit, but the rumor mill’s churning hotter than a blast furnace. Organizers teased an end-of-year drop, hinting it’ll be “tough” (code for stacked or hard-fought bookings?). Reddit’s r/Hellfest is ablaze with predictions, while Sortiraparis polled fans for dream bills—over 270 comments and counting.
Key buzz from the trenches:
- System of a Down (SOAD): Top wish after their 2020 cancellation. Euro tour rumors for summer 2026 align perfectly—no French dates yet, but June 18, 20, or 21 slots scream headliner potential. Fans crave “Chop Suey!” in Clisson’s chaos.
- Iron Maiden: Fresh off 2025’s Download triumph, their 2026 Euro run could detour here. Bruce Dickinson’s soaring pipes over French fields? Inevitable.
- Metallica: Playing one Hellfest weekend date (June 21) with Gojira—could they double-dip for a Thursday kickoff? Post-2024 M72 wrap, it’s plausible.
- Gojira: French metal gods, available June 21. Homecoming set with orchestral flair? A lock for main stage glory.
- Other fan fantasies: Slayer (reunion vibes), Def Leppard (rock infusion), Sleep Token (mysterious rise), Volbeat (party anthems), Rob Zombie (horror theatrics), and Mudvayne (nu-metal revival via new single). Emerging picks like Auri (Tuomas Holopainen’s side project) for symphonic flair.
X (Twitter) echoes the frenzy: Posts like “SOAD at Hellfest 2026 or riot!” and “Praying for Maiden—Clisson needs that gallop” dominate. With 2025’s women-in-metal focus (Spiritbox, Epica), expect more diversity—perhaps Jinjer or Kittie returns.
Our Bold Predictions: Who We Think Will Headline and Dominate Hellfest 2026
Drawing from tour calendars, past patterns (no repeat headliners year-over-year), and Hellfest’s love for legacy-meets-fresh, here’s our speculative dream bill. We’re betting on a Thursday-Sunday arc blending thrash revival, alt-metal, and Euro heavyweights. (Disclaimer: Pure analysis—official reveal incoming.)
| Day | Predicted Headliners | Why They Fit | Supporting Wildcards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, June 18 | Metallica & Slipknot | M72 Euro extension; masks and pyros for openers. Nu-metal nod post-2025 Korn. | Parkway Drive (Aussie metalcore surge), Fear Factory (aggro continuum tour). |
| Friday, June 19 | Iron Maiden & Foo Fighters | Maiden’s 2026 Euro dates overlap; Grohl’s post-EP energy for rock crossover. | Soulfly (Max Cavalera’s grind), Ghost (summer Euro hints). |
| Saturday, June 20 | System of a Down & Gojira | SOAD redemption arc; Gojira’s French pride with new orchestral twists. | Volbeat (anthemic vibes), Sleep Token (mystique for mid-bill magic). |
| Sunday, June 21 | AC/DC (rumor fuel) & Judas Priest | Powerage 50th anniversary; Priest’s endless tour hits France. | Mudvayne (nu-revival), Rob Zombie (horror finale). |
Secondary stages? Expect 100+ acts: Cryptopsy anniversary sets, Municipal Waste thrash, Lorna Shore deathcore, and rising French talents. Total: 160+ bands, zero filler.
This prediction balances Hellfest’s extreme core with broader appeal—think 2025’s Linkin Park/Korn shock, but amplified.
Why Hellfest 2026 Will Be the Metal Event of the Year
Hellfest isn’t just a festival; it’s a movement. Post-2025’s sold-out triumph (Linkin Park, Muse, Scorpions), 2026 ramps up with four full days of immersion: Viking feasts, tattoo parlors, and silent disco afterparties. Fan forums gush about the “magic” of night pyros amid vineyards, while sustainability (recycling mandates, low-emission transport) keeps it future-proof.
In a post-pandemic boom, Hellfest’s pulling bigger: More debuts (106 in 2025), women-fronted bills, and global draws. If rumors hold, SOAD or Maiden could break attendance records. It’s Download’s grit meets Wacken’s scale—unmatched.
How to Prep: Tickets, Travel, and Staying in the Loop
- Tickets: Resale at tickets.hellfest.fr; day splits incoming. Budget €250-€400 total with camping.
- Travel: Fly into Nantes (30-min shuttle) or Paris (2.5-hour train). Rideshares and buses peak post-sale.
- Follow: hellfest.fr, @hellfestopenair on X/Insta, r/Hellfest for real-time scoops. Lineup wave 1: Late 2025.
Hellfest 2026: Where metal lives. What’s your dream headliner? Sound off below—we’re all plotting our mosh strategies.
FAQs: Hellfest 2026 Basics and Buzz
When is Hellfest 2026? June 18-21, 2026, in Clisson, France.
Who’s confirmed for the lineup? Ultra Vomit—first act locked, with more waves expected November/December 2025.
Are tickets available? 4-day passes sold out July 8, 2025; resale open, day passes early 2026.
What’s the Hellfest 2026 venue like? Hellfest Grounds: 60 hectares, six stages, free camping, medieval vibes.
Any lineup rumors? Big ones: System of a Down, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Gojira. Full reveal end-of-year.
Why predict Metallica or SOAD? Tour overlaps and fan demand—Hellfest loves epic reunions and local heroes.
READ MORE….
Hellfest Line up 2026: What We Know So Far @RockNews
