First names of the strong musical lineup for Sziget Festival 2026 have arrived – video

The rebranded atmosphere of Sziget, now back in Hungarian hands, is beginning to take shape. Thanks to its newly independent organisation, changes are expected that will once again clearly reinforce the festival’s unique vibe. The programme is becoming more colourful and the musical genres more diverse, as the festival aims to appeal to broader tastes and all age groups again. 

A new Sziget identity is emerging

Although the organisers were delayed in securing bands for well-known reasons, they already have around 40 names lined up. These include crowd favourites such as Twenty One Pilots, who recently released new material, and Florence + The Machine, whose latest album came out just weeks ago. One of the year’s biggest discoveries, SOMBR, will arrive with a breakthrough debut album, and Lewis Capaldi is making a comeback after a long break.

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“Despite a slow start with booking, it seems we’ve already caught up. We were concerned that during the forced hiatus some artists we had been in talks with might have been wooed elsewhere, but it’s clear that Sziget remains so important to them that many have kept the dates pencilled in,” said Károly Gerendai, Sziget’s returning owner.

“As a result, we’re able to present a strong musical line-up, allowing visitors drawn by the star acts to plan their festival experience with confidence.” He added that the long-term goal is not only to offer a stellar line-up, but also to revive the festival’s unique atmosphere, cultural diversity, and the unmistakable “Sziget feeling” that can be experienced nowhere else.

Strong music offering, countless activities

“A solid musical programme is expected at almost every major festival nowadays. We may not outshine our rivals purely on music, but what sets Sziget apart is the captivating sense of freedom, distinctive location, diversity of both musical and non-musical activities, unique visuals, and high-quality services that enhance the holiday feeling. It’s no coincidence that millions have found unforgettable, lifelong memories in the ‘Sziget feeling’ over the decades.”

“We managed to stand out in a highly competitive international festival field, despite coming from a small country, by offering not the usual model but something different, more colourful, and richer in experience. We want to reaffirm this,” Gerendai added.

Massive highlights

The first major names are here, with several already lined up for two of the busiest evenings on the Main Stage. One of the biggest draws will undoubtedly be Twenty One Pilots’ return to the festival’s main stage. Their concerts are always special, with frontman Tyler Joseph and drummer Josh Dun delivering unforgettable shows. They last performed to a full house at Sziget, and their popularity remains strong, with new material set to be showcased.

Also confirmed is Florence + The Machine. Their last Sziget appearance in 2023 drew a huge crowd and left a deep impression. In October this year, after three years, they released their sixth studio album to widespread critical acclaim. Florence Welch and her band are headlining almost every major festival next summer, and they won’t miss Sziget.

A Hungarian success story

One of the biggest musical discoveries and success stories of 2025 is SOMBR, whose debut album was released in August. The singer is already on the 2026 Grammy nominee list. The sophisticated and ambitious songs were crafted for both concert halls and festival stages — definitely worth catching at next year’s Sziget. “I hope to return to Budapest soon,” SOMBR said during a 2022 Sziget show, before unexpectedly stopping live performances due to illness after Glastonbury. This year, however, the artist is back on stage, and Lewis Capaldi will also return to Sziget’s Main Stage in 2026.

There is still plenty of excitement to come in the announced line-up. TOMORA is a brand-new project joining the festival — a collaboration between Tom Rowlands (of The Chemical Brothers) and Norwegian singer Aurora. Also included is Dijon, an American singer-songwriter, producer, actor, and multi-instrumentalist who collaborated on Justin Bieber’s latest album.

Twenty years ago, Underworld’s headline set on the Main Stage was a major event. Known for their anthem-like hits, the group has shaped electronic music for decades and recently captivated young audiences worldwide with their Boiler Room show. Another major return is Biffy Clyro, one of Scotland’s biggest rock bands.

Dedicated stage for local performers

Among the newly announced acts, the talented Tash Sultana stands out, along with fresh names such as Ashnikko — a major star of the 2020s arriving with a new album — bbno$, famous worldwide for his viral track Lalala with hundreds of millions of streams, and Paris Paloma, who burst onto the scene in 2023 with the viral hit Labour. Some Hungarian artists have also teased their presence: Sisi and Elefánt, who cancelled their 2025 Sziget performances due to illness, will return next year. The uniquely styled Hungarian band makrohang also joins the line-up.

Regarding this announcement, Sziget’s chief organiser Tamás Kádár noted: “In recent years, the festival has faced criticism for focusing more on international stars and less on popular Hungarian artists. Next year, in cooperation with Budapest Park, we will have a dedicated Hungarian stage featuring the biggest local favourites.”

Thematic quarters for all age groups

While the full line-up for Sziget 2026 is still being developed, the festival aims to broaden its visitor age range and diversify its cultural offerings even further. Themed “quarters” — like the popular electronic music hub — will expand, with more thematic venues and a renewed emphasis on musical genres such as rock and world music on the established stages.

Gerendai revealed: “All the tried-and-tested programme spots will remain, but there will be striking developments as the offering grows, with popular former venues returning and new ones appearing,” forecasting the festival’s evolution for 2026.

Here is the first batch of acts in alphabetical order, with more to follow:

ALT BLK ERA, ANNA, Antony Szmierek, Ashnikko, Baby Lasagna, Bad Nerves, bbno$, Biffy Clyro, BIIA, Brooke Combe, Cassia, Charlotte Cardin, DE’WAYNE, Dijon, Dom Dolla, Elefánt, Florence + The Machine, Giant Rooks, Indira Paganotto, Jazzy, Joris Vroon, Karen Dió, Kim Dracula, Lambrini Girls, Lewis Capaldi, makrohang, Oskar Med K, Pan-Pot, Paris Paloma, sim0ne, Sisi, Ski Aggu, SOMBR, Tash Sultana, TOMORA, Twenty One Pilots, Underworld, Zimmer90.

Sziget Festival returns from 11–15 August 2026. Early Bird tickets remain available for a few more days, with the next price rise set for 8 pm on 16 December.

You can watch the announcement video here:

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