Rock in Rio 2026: Foo Fighters in Brazil as headliner on September 4th.

In a press conference, Rock in Rio created a special event to playfully recount the backstage of the festival and its creative process. The organization also announced Fatboy Slim’s performance on the 7th at the New Dance Order, and presented an updated map of the City of Rock.

Rio de Janeiro, February 26, 2026 – The 2026 edition of Rock in Rio is beginning to take shape with innovations that go far beyond the stages of the City of Rock. In an unprecedented event, the festival brought together guests and press to experience unique moments backstage at a musical that showcased the creative process behind Rock in Rio – portraying the mobilization of all areas involved in building the festival, which brings together around 32,000 people during the process. With stage, music, dance, orchestra, costumes, and choreographed movements, Thursday’s gathering revealed the “Dream Factory” that drives Rock in Rio – a festival that believes in magic and the creation of special moments like this, where people not only watch the shows but feel, live, sing, vibrate, and dance. A magic built in a real way, from artistic creation, that goes far beyond music, planning, and execution, transforming each idea into shared emotion. In one of the most celebrated moments of the event, the organization celebrated the confirmation of the second Day of Rock for the 2026 edition and confirmed the presence of Foo Fighters, one of the biggest and most beloved rock ‘n’ roll bands in the world, as the headliner of the World Stage on September 4th, in an exclusive performance in Brazil. The event also marked the unveiling of the official map of Rock City 2026, which previewed new features in different areas of the festival, such as the New Dance Order, which, in addition to having a brand new set design and artistic proposal, will feature Fatboy Slim as the headliner on September 7th. Another new feature is the Gourmet Square, which will have a curated menu by chef Pedro Siqueira, recognized as one of the 100 best pizza makers in the world by The Best Pizza Awards 2025, who will also bring the cuisine of Sìsì to one of the restaurants in the space. In the Olympic Park arenas, the map also revealed the unprecedented presence of another performance area, in addition to the confirmation of yet another new space, which will be announced soon.

Rock in Rio Opens the Doors to its Dream Factory. Always surprising the public, Rock in Rio presented an unprecedented format for its press conference, transforming the event into a scenic backstage that playfully translated the creative process of building the festival from the perspective of Roberto Medina, president of Rock World. In this way, guests were able to closely observe how the dream factory works, reflecting the grandeur that has marked Rock in Rio for over 40 years, sustained by integrated work between different teams, united by the philosophy of dreaming and making it happen. The event featured a cinematic infrastructure that gained scale and the language of a spectacle with the live presentation of a musical conceived especially for the occasion. Following the same model as Rock in Rio, for four days, the film set was equipped with state-of-the-art technology, cutting-edge cameras, a robust audiovisual setup – including a KamboT, a robotic camera with precise, fluid, and intentional movements, gliding as if dancing on screen – and a 40×5 meter LED screen. Attendees closely followed the behind-the-scenes story, the creative process, and the structure that drives the City of Rock, supported by robust set design and an original soundtrack composed by Zé Ricardo, artistic vice-president of Rock World. The song was created especially for this moment, which also featured 36 dancers, an orchestra of 12 musicians, 5 actors/protagonists, 10 extras, costumes, and choreography, reinforcing the festival’s belief in the power of emotion as the driving force behind the creation of unique moments – those that the audience not only observes but feels, lives, sings, vibrates, and dances to. The footage filmed during these days will be used for communication regarding the next edition of the event, which will take place on September 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, and 13, 2026. “What we are presenting here today is how these dreams of mine were born, this construction of what Rock in Rio has become. There are many references, and people can’t imagine how each piece fits together to bring this gigantic puzzle to life. Here, the pursuit of excellence is constant, and this narrative that we have brought with this musical clearly shows why we transformed this brand into a festival that first overflows with experience, and then talks about music. In this edition, for example, we are delivering even more content and, of course, one of the best lineups in the entire history of Rock in Rio. If you look closely, most of the headliners will only play in the City of Rock, in unique performances that will attract even more tourists to Rio de Janeiro. This movement of ours will contribute to the state’s economy with an economic impact that is believed to exceed R$3 billion,” highlights Roberto Medina, president of Rock World and creator. “And the mastermind behind Rock in Rio. ‘What Roberto dreamed of back then, 41 years ago, has become the dream of many people, including mine. He continues to challenge us to go beyond what we imagine. Working in our dream factory is challenging every day. Using music as an instrument of transformation, creating unforgettable experiences is an immense privilege. And it’s the result of the work of a tireless team that, over two years, reinvents itself to enchant the public,’ assures Zé Ricardo, artistic vice-president of Rock World, reinforcing that ‘we are building a powerful line-up with a strong presence of Rock. Foo Fighters is an incredible band that transcends generations and speaks to literally all our audiences. I can’t wait to open the doors of our City of Rock and start our party,’ he concludes.”

Foo Fighters Announced as Headliner for the World Stage The second day of Rock in Rio will feature a heavyweight headliner. Responsible for worldwide hits such as the explosive new release “Your Favorite Toy,” “Everlong,” “All My Life,” “Times Like These,” and “Best of You,” Foo Fighters return to Rock in Rio seven years after delivering what many considered one of the most electrifying performances in the festival’s history. Foo Fighters’ extensive discography includes landmark albums such as their self-titled 1995 debut, The Colour and the Shape, There Is Nothing Left to Lose, One by One, In Your Honor, Echoes Silence Patience & Grace, Wasting Light, Sonic Highways, Concrete and Gold, Medicine at Midnight, But Here We Are, and the upcoming album Your Favorite Toy, announced by its enthusiastically received title track and the incendiary “Asking for a Friend.” In 2026, Foo Fighters celebrate the band’s 31st anniversary with a massive world tour and the release of Your Favorite Toy, opening the latest chapter in a continuing legacy that includes 15 GRAMMY Awards and induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021. Foo Fighters consists of Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear, Rami Jaffee, and Ilan Rubin. New Dance Order arrives with a revamped stage design at Rock City and will feature Fatboy Slim among the headliners. The largest dance floor at Rock City, New Dance Order, returns in 2026 even more impactful. A favorite among electronic music fans, the stage co-sponsored by Heineken and Superbet gets a completely new stage design, measuring 56.50 meters wide and 22.5 meters high, reinforcing its monumental presence at the festival. The stage further enhances the audience experience, while the 502m² of LED panels are one of the highlights of the visual design, creating an immersive atmosphere that integrates music, light, and movement. The result is an even more intense and technological experience, reaffirming the NDO stage as one of the epicenters of Rock City. Among the headliners, Fatboy Slim will perform on September 7th at the venue, the same day Elton John closes the shows on the Palco Mundo stage. The stage name of the British artist Norman Cook, he is considered one of the most influential DJs and producers in the history of electronic music. An icon of the scene since the 1990s, he is responsible for hits that have spanned generations, such as “Praise You,” “Right Here, Right Now,” and “The Rockafeller Skank.” With a career marked by explosive performances and sets that mix house, big beat, and pop references, Fatboy Slim is a constant presence at the biggest festivals in the world and remains one of the most charismatic and celebrated figures in global dance music. “The New Dance Order (NDO) is coming in strong with great new features in 2026 – today we’re presenting some carefully crafted appetizers! Starting with the new stage design, which is updated and gains an even greater dimension. I’m sure we’ll deliver an experience never before seen by electronic music fans at Rock in Rio. Furthermore, as a kick-off to the attractions and with great honor, we announce for the first time at the festival one of the greatest legends in the history of global dance music, the Englishman Fatboy Slim – who will close the first week of the festival, on Monday, September 7th. There will be great announcements that will certainly surprise on all the other days of the festival. This year, electronic music fans should secure tickets for all days. I dare say it will be the strongest artistic lineup of all time!!”, says Claudio da Rocha Miranda Filho, artistic curator of the New Dance Order Stage.