Rock in Rio 2026 strengthens its reputation for star-packed lineups by confirming Calvin Harris and Black Eyed Peas among the key names of the festival, which will feature 45 international acts and more than 15 exclusive performances at the City of Rock.
The announcement also puts a spotlight on two of the most important dates in the program: September 6 and September 13. On the first Sunday, Calvin Harris makes his Rock in Rio debut as the World Stage headliner, joined by Black Eyed Peas, Nelly and Barão Vermelho in its original formation. On the second, Halsey, Lola Young and Ivete Sangalo bring very different but equally powerful profiles to the same stage.
September 6 brings the biggest names
The September 6 lineup is built to dominate the pre-holiday weekend with a sequence of globally recognized acts. Calvin Harris takes the top spot of the night and brings a show designed to turn the World Stage into a massive dance floor.
The Scottish DJ and producer arrives with numbers that explain the anticipation: billions of streams, collaborations with Rihanna, The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, Pharrell Williams and Travis Scott, and a career filled with awards and record-setting hits that crossed radio, streaming platforms and clubs worldwide.
Black Eyed Peas follows with a catalog of pop anthems that helped define the sound of the 2000s and 2010s, while Nelly makes his debut at the festival with a run of songs that became landmarks in commercial hip-hop.
Barão Vermelho Encontro Formação Original opens the stage, connecting the festival to the history of Brazilian rock.
Sunset keeps its collaborative spirit
While the World Stage aims for scale, the Sunset Stage continues to lean into collaborations and special pairings. On September 6, NE-YO closes the stage with a career-spanning set that brings together R&B, pop and a long list of widely known singles.
Earlier in the evening, the stage hosts Jota Quest performing Tim Maia, BaianaSystem and the Portuguese duo Calema. The programming reinforces the idea that Sunset is built not just around hits, but around artistic dialogue and cultural exchange.
This approach also reflects how Rock in Rio 2026 is being shaped: less predictable, more layered and focused on combinations that only happen inside the City of Rock.
September 13 mixes generations
On September 13, the World Stage again gathers some of the festival’s most anticipated names. Halsey makes her Rock in Rio debut after becoming one of the defining voices of alternative pop over the past decade.
Before her, Lola Young takes the stage in one of the most awaited Brazilian debuts of the year. The British singer arrives riding a wave of momentum that has brought her music to a wide international audience.
Ivete Sangalo opens the night, reinforcing her long relationship with the festival and her status as one of the event’s most recognizable artists.
The night brings together debut, legacy and continuity, a mix that helps explain why Rock in Rio remains one of the region’s biggest live-music gatherings.
Sunset expands the story
The Sunset Stage on September 13 also stands out for its special collaborations. Marina Sena invites Céu for a meeting of two of Brazil’s most distinctive contemporary voices.
Joelma joins Viviane Batidão in a performance that highlights the popular music of Brazil’s North, while Carol Biazin teams up with Joyce Alane in a set that gives more space to the new generation of Brazilian pop.
These pairings reflect one of Rock in Rio 2026’s clearest ideas: the festival is not only booking big names, but also creating specific narratives for each night.
Tickets and expectations
The official pre-sale starts on Tuesday, June 2, at 12 p.m., and general sales open on June 8, at 7 p.m., exclusively through Ticketmaster Brasil.
Beyond the lineup itself, the festival is also banking on its role as a cultural gathering. Organizers expect 700,000 attendees and a far larger digital reach through broadcasts and social media content.
Event Info
- Event: Rock in Rio 2026.
- Official pre-sale: June 2, 12 p.m.
- General sale: June 8, 7 p.m.
- Platform: Ticketmaster Brasil.
