Rock in Rio 2026 Lineup, Set Times and Recap
Updated 1 time · Latest: 4 October 2026
Rock in Rio 2026 closed on Sunday 13 September with more than 700,000 visitors over seven days, according to its organisers. Elton John played on 7 September, and Stray Kids became the first K-pop act to headline the World Stage. For US readers, the festival is a gauge of Brazil’s live-music and tourism demand, with 89 countries represented.
This page keeps the full lineup by day and stage, with Palco Mundo and Sunset set times, and what is confirmed for the next edition.
Key Facts
- Who. Rock in Rio organisers, with Elton John, Gilberto Gil, Stray Kids, Maroon 5, Foo Fighters and Twenty One Pilots among the headliners.
- What. The 11th Rock in Rio ran for seven days over two weekends at the Cidade do Rock. Organisers reported more than 700,000 visitors from 89 countries.
- Why it matters. The organisers put the economic impact at R$3.36 billion (about US$660 million), and 49% of visitors came from outside Rio de Janeiro state.
- Next. Rock in Rio returns in Rio in September 2028. Lisbon is next in June 2028.
Rock in Rio 2026 Recap: The Numbers
Organisers announced the balance on Sunday 13 September. They counted more than 700,000 people across seven days and visitors from 89 countries. About 49% came from outside the state of Rio de Janeiro.
They estimated the economic impact at R$3.36 billion (about US$660 million at 5.12 reais per US dollar, RT market data close of 11 September). They also reported 33,900 direct and indirect jobs and about 30,000 accredited workers.
Vice-president Roberta Medina said rain shaped how the crowd behaved. Organisers also estimated about 530,000 downloads of the official app and 150,000 passengers on the Primeira Classe bus service. These are organiser figures, not independent counts.
Elton John’s Night and the Headliners
Elton John closed the night of Monday 7 September on the Palco Mundo, after Gilberto Gil. Billboard reported a 24-song set of more than two hours.
On Friday 11 September, Stray Kids closed the first night the festival dedicated to K-pop on its main stage, according to Billboard. Maroon 5 closed on Saturday 12 September, and Twenty One Pilots closed on Sunday 13 September.
Rock in Rio 2026 Lineup by Day and Stage
Times are Brasília time (UTC-3) and come from the published programme as reported by Billboard Brasil and Omelete. Slots after midnight belong to the same festival night. Times were adjusted in the days before the festival, so treat them as the schedule, not a stopwatch.
| Day | Palco Mundo (World Stage) | Palco Sunset |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 4 September | Nova Twins 16:40 · The Hives 19:00 · Rise Against 21:20 · Foo Fighters 00:05 | Di Ferrero 15:30 · Detonautas with Biquini 17:50 · Hot Milk 20:10 · Capital Inicial with Dado Villa-Lobos 22:45 |
| Saturday 5 September | Sepultura 16:40 · Machine Gun Kelly 19:00 · Bring Me the Horizon 21:20 · Avenged Sevenfold 00:05 | Malvada with Day Limns 15:30 · Black Pantera with Nervosa 17:50 · Poppy 20:10 · Bad Omens 22:50 |
| Sunday 6 September | Barão Vermelho 16:40 · Nelly 19:00 · Black Eyed Peas 21:20 · Calvin Harris 00:05 | Calema 15:30 · BaianaSystem 17:50 · Jota Quest 20:10 · Ne-Yo 22:45 |
| Monday 7 September | Luísa Sonza with Roberto Menescal 16:40 · Jon Batiste 19:00 · Gilberto Gil 21:20 · Elton John 00:05 | Vanessa da Mata with Rubel 15:30 · Roupa Nova with Guilherme Arantes 17:50 · Péricles 20:10 · Laufey 22:45 |
| Friday 11 September | NEXZ 16:40 · Hwasa 19:00 · Alok 21:20 · Stray Kids 00:05 | Jota.pê with Luedji Luna and Zaynara 15:30 · Os Garotin with Duquesa 17:50 · PJ Morton 20:10 · Jamiroquai 22:45 |
| Saturday 12 September | Pedro Sampaio 16:40 · J Balvin 19:00 · Demi Lovato 21:20 · Maroon 5 00:05 | Criolo, Amaro Freitas and Dino D’Santiago 15:30 · Gilsons with Daniela Mercury and Olodum 17:50 · João Gomes with the Orquestra Brasileira 20:10 · Mumford & Sons 22:45 |
| Sunday 13 September | Ivete Sangalo 17:00 · Lola Young 19:10 · Halsey 21:35 · Twenty One Pilots 00:05 | Carol Biazin with Joyce Alane 15:50 · Joelma with Viviane Batidão 18:05 · Marina Sena with Céu 20:20 · Zara Larsson 22:55 |
What to Know for 2027 and 2028
There is no Rock in Rio in Rio de Janeiro in 2027. Organisers confirmed the next Rio edition for September 2028 and have not yet published its dates. A street race finishing inside the Cidade do Rock is planned as a new feature.
São Paulo’s The Town festival has dates for 4–6 and 11–12 September 2027. Rock in Rio Lisbon returns on 17, 18, 24 and 25 June 2028, according to Portuguese media.
What It Means for You
Travellers from the US who missed 2026 should plan around September 2028 and watch for the ticket sale announcement. Early sales waves have sold out in the past. Anyone visiting Brazil in September 2027 can look at The Town in São Paulo instead.
The festival shows how much of Brazil’s autumn tourism rests on big events. For the practical side of getting to Barra da Tijuca, see our travellers and expats guide.
What Is Not Known
Dates and the lineup for Rock in Rio 2028 are not yet public. Ticket prices for 2028 have not been announced. Independent crowd counts for individual nights are not available, only the organisers’ totals.
Sources
Omelete: Rock in Rio 2026 line-up por dia · Billboard Brasil: horários dos shows · Rede M Rio: balanço do festival · Imirante: Rock in Rio confirma 2028 · Billboard: Elton John recap · RFM: Rock in Rio Lisboa 2028
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Rock in Rio 2026?
Rock in Rio 2026 ran on 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13 September at the Cidade do Rock in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was the 11th edition in Rio.
How many people attended Rock in Rio 2026?
The organisers reported more than 700,000 people over seven days, with visitors from 89 countries. They put the economic impact at R$3.36 billion (about US$660 million at 5.12 reais per US dollar, RT market data close of 11 September).
Who headlined Rock in Rio 2026?
On the Palco Mundo the closing acts were Foo Fighters (4 September), Avenged Sevenfold (5), Calvin Harris (6), Elton John (7), Stray Kids (11), Maroon 5 (12) and Twenty One Pilots (13).
Was Elton John’s Rock in Rio show a farewell?
Elton John closed the 7 September night. Billboard reported a 24-song set of more than two hours.
When is the next Rock in Rio?
Organisers confirmed the next Rio edition for September 2028, with dates not yet announced. There is no Rock in Rio in Rio de Janeiro in 2027. Rock in Rio Lisbon returns in 2028 on 17, 18, 24 and 25 June, as reported by Portuguese media.
Connected Coverage
Related from The Rio Times: The complete festival guide: tickets, transport, survival tips · Brazil news hub
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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