Download Festival 2020 cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic

Organisers have released a statement

Download Festival 2020 cancelled
Published 26th Mar 2020
Last updated 26th Mar 2020

Download Festival 2020 has been cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The Donington Park rock and metal extravaganza was due to take place from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th June 2020 with KISS, Iron Maiden and System of a Down headlining.

Organisers released a statement this afternoon (Thursday 26th March) confirming Download Festival won’t be going ahead because of the coronavirus pandemic and they’re “beyond disappointed” to break the news.

Assuring fans they will be back in 2021, Download Festival added: “We’ll do our best to put together an amazing line up for you in 2021 and can’t wait to see you all then.”

Download Festival’s statement reads:

“Download Festival will no longer be taking place this year.

“We’ve been closely monitoring this unprecedented situation and it’s become clear that it just isn’t possible for the 2020 festival to go ahead. This decision hasn’t been taken lightly and we’re beyond disappointed, we extend our heartfelt apologies to all of you – we really did try to make this work.

“Please rest assured we will be back next year. Now, more than ever, we need the Download spirit to thrive and offer support to those that need it most. We’ll do our best to put together an amazing line up for you in 2021 and can’t wait to see you all then. Thank you, as ever, for your continued support.

“We are working closely with our ticketing partners now and they will be in touch very soon to process your refund, or, if you prefer, you can retain your ticket and carry it over to next year. Look out for an e-mail from your ticketing agent very soon and please only contact them if you have not been contacted after 5 days as they are very busy at this time.”

Other bands due to perform at Download Festival included Alter Bridge, Deftones, Korn, Volbeat, Disturbed, The Offspring, Gojira, Mastodon, Airbourne, The Darkness, The Pretty Reckless and Funeral For a Friend.