Andy Copping says four bands already want to headline Download Festival 2026
"We'd be happy with any one of those headlining"
Last updated 13th Nov 2024
Andy Copping has revealed to Planet Rock that four bands have already approached him about headlining Download Festival 2026.
Coinciding with the Download Festival 2025 line-up announcement last night (12th November), when Green Day, Sleep Token and Korn were unveiled as the headliners alongside more than 90 other bands, booker Andy Copping visited Planet Rock HQ for a chat about all things Download.
During our discussion, we asked Copping if a big-name headliner ever becomes available once he’s already got his three bill-topping bands booked in, and whether it’s a balancing act between being reactive and locking in acts far in advance.
“It is a balancing act,” Copping agreed. “A couple of times it’s happened where we have the headliners booked and another headliner has come in and we can’t book them.
“Actually it happened with Metallica one year – we were already booked (and) I had no room for Metallica, which is incredible even saying those words. That’s probably why they came and did two sets in 2023.
“Then there was another year that Muse were available but we were again already booked up. It’s very rare it happens but it does and it can happen.”
Looking ahead to the year after next, he continued: “Interestingly enough, for 2026, although we haven’t confirmed anybody as yet, there are already four headliners wanting us to make them an offer. And we’d be happy with any one of those headlining.
“I think the three headliners for 2026 will certainly come out of the four that have made themselves available to us.
“It’s all down to the fact that more and more artists are scheduling their touring so far ahead. They’re getting things lined up for anything between 18 months and three years. So, it’s quite advantageous for us.”
Revealing that this hasn’t already been the case, Copping said: “I know it’s been mentioned before, sometimes it’s been February and we haven’t had a headliner in the past. It actually fills me with horror to even think about that happening nowadays!
“There was one particular year which we didn’t have a headliner booked by the end of January. Thankfully it all came together but, ah man, we were flying by the seat of our pants.”
When we quipped that he’d start panicking now if he didn’t have his 2026 headliners booked by January 2025, Copping replied: “Indeed! It is literally that far ahead.
“But it’s great because it sets the tone on how the festival is going to look. If you think ‘ok, that’s my headliners, the acts I want to play directly before them. Who will play on The Opus Stage, the second stage?’ and you start to get a real formation of what the festival is going to look like.”
Alongside headliners Green Day, Sleep Token and Korn, other bands confirmed for Download XXII include The Darkness, Frank Carter & The Sex Pistols, Airbourne, Apocalyptica, Jerry Cantrell, Steel Panther, Within Temptation, and Sophie Lloyd to name but a few.
General sale tickets go on sale from Planet Rock Tickets at 9pm on Thursday 14th November.
The very first Download Festival in photos:
The Main Stage at Download Festival 2003
The very first Download Festival took place on the hallowed turf of Donington Park – home of the legendary Monsters of Rock – on Saturday 31st May to Sunday 1st June 2003.
Iron Maiden headline Download Festival 2003
Two-times Monsters of Rock headliners Iron Maiden topped the bill on the opening night of Download 2003.
Iron Maiden headline Download Festival 2003
Iron Maiden's performance at the inaugural Download Festival was part of their Give Me Ed... 'til I'm Dead Tour.
Deftones at Download Festival 2003
Other main stage performers on the Saturday were Marilyn Manson, Deftones (pictured), Ministry, InMe, Murderdolls, Amen, Funeral for a Friend, Stampin' Ground, Shadows Fall and Murder One.
Download Festival 2003 crowd
Years before the advent smartphones, the Download Festival 2003 faithful attended the event armed with disposable cameras.
Ministry at Download Festival 2003
Ministry's All Jourgenson sings into his understated microphone stand on the Saturday at Download Festival 2003.
HIM at Download Festival 2003
Ville Valo of Finnish gothic rockers HIM during the band's Saturday set on the Scuzz Stage. The second stage also boasted performances from A, Reel Big Fish, Taproot, Sepultura, Reef, SOiL, The Hellacopters, SikTh, 3 Colours Red, From Autumn To Ashes, Queen Adreena, Violent Delight, Arch Enemy, and Chimaria.
Download Festival 2003 crowd
Download Festival's name has a two meanings. The word 'Download' was a murky word at the time thanks to Napster and illegal downloading. Download was also seen as a Monsters of Rock for the 21st century and the internet would provide connectivity with its audience. Tickets had a download code on them so fans could get tracks by some of the bands performing.
Audioslave headline Download Festival 2003
Late rock legend Chris Cornell on stage with Audioslave during the band's main stage headline set on Sunday night at Download Festival 2003. It was Audioslave's only appearance at Download, however Chris Cornell would return with Soundgarden and as a solo artist.
Audioslave headline Download Festival 2003
Audioslave replaced original headliners Limp Bizkit on the line-up after Fred Durst and co. cancelled.
Keith Flint at Download Festival 2003
The late-great Keith Flint on stage with his fleeting solo band Flint on the Sunday at Download Festival 2003. The Prodigy headlined the second stage at Download Festival 2006 and 2009 before stepping up as main stage headliners in 2012.
Stone Sour's Corey Taylor at Download Festival 2003
Wearing a Union Jacket emblazoned with the words 'Donington' in marker pen, Corey Taylor played the very first Download Festival with Stone Sour. Slipknot have headlined Download five times since the festival's inception, and Corey has also performed as a solo artist over the past 21 years.
Metallica play secret set at Download Festival 2003
A truly landmark Download Festival moment, Metallica played a secret set on The Scuzz Stage on the Sunday afternoon.
Metallica play secret set at Download Festival 2003
Metallica performed a 10-song set on the rammed-to-the-rafters stage, including a clutch of tracks from their soon-to-be-released album 'St Anger'.
Metallica play secret set at Download Festival 2003
Also on The Scuzz Stage bill alongside Metallica on Sunday were NOFX, Boysetsfire, The Bouncing Souls, Strung Out, Thrice, Spunge, TSOL, The Real McKenzies, The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, Brand New, Instruction, Beatsteaks, Randy and Fabulous Disaster.
The Darkness' Justin Hawkins at Download Festival 2003
Justin Hawkins backstage before The Darkness' performance on The Main Stage. Audioslave, Zwan, Flint, Apocalyptica, Less Than Jake, Disturbed, Stone Sour, Evanescence, Mudvayne, Spineshank, One Minute Silence, Raging Speedhorn and Instruction also played on the second day.
Billy Corgan at Download Festival 2003
Billy Corgan on stage with Zwan on the Sunday at Download Festival 2003