Download Festival 2026: Ninth Planet Returns to Donington
Download Festival 2026: Ninth Planet Returns to Donington
This weekend, the Ninth Planet team will once again be making the pilgrimage to the hallowed grounds of Donington Park as Download Festival returns for another year of riffs, mud, memories, and mayhem.
As lifelong fans of rock, metal, punk, alternative culture and everything in between, Download has always been more than just another festival to us. It's a celebration of the music, bands, and community that helped shape who we are. But this year, we're not just attending as fans, we'll also be there as journalists, content creators, photographers, and storytellers, bringing you our experiences from one of the UK's most iconic music festivals.
And the 2026 line-up is stacked from top to bottom! With headline appearances from Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit and Guns N' Roses, there is no shortage of huge moments waiting to happen. Linkin Park's return to Donington continues one of the most talked-about stories in modern rock, while Limp Bizkit's headline appearance promises to be one of the most nostalgic and chaotic sets of the entire weekend. For some members of the Ninth Planet team, it will actually be our first time seeing Fred Durst and company live, a fact we're still struggling to believe.
Then there's Cypress Hill…
As fans of heavy music, hip-hop, and genre-crossing artists, we've been looking forward to this one for months.
Cypress Hill’s influence stretches far beyond rap and seeing them at Download feels like one of those rare festival moments where different worlds collide in exactly the right way.
Another act we're incredibly excited about is
Cavalera. As huge fans of
Sepultura and the many projects associated with
Max and
Igor
Cavalera over the years, from
Soulfly and
Cavalera
Conspiracy to
Nailbomb and beyond, we simply cannot wait to witness these metal icons in action. Their influence on thrash and metal in genral is impossible to overstate, and we're expecting this to be one of the standout performances of the entire weekend.
We're also absolutely buzzing to catch Corrosion of Conformity. Having been fans of their music for decades, getting to see them perform live at Download, with their blend of Southern rock grooves, and sludge metal attitude is right at the top of our must-see list this year.
And that's the beauty of Download. Some of the most memorable moments aren't always the headline acts. They're the bands you stumble across by accident, the artists who completely exceed expectations, and the performances you find yourself talking about for years afterwards.
One act that made a particularly lasting impression on the Ninth Planet team last year was the mighty Opeth. We'd always enjoyed their music and recognised their stature within the metal world but seeing them perform live took things to a whole other level. Their set was a masterclass in musicianship and atmosphere that turned us into lifelong converts.
Over the coming weekend we'll be sharing photos, updates, highlights, and our thoughts on some of the bands that make Download such a special event. If you spot the Ninth Planet team around the festival grounds, don't be afraid to come and say hello.
Whether you're heading to Donington yourself or following along from home, stay tuned as we bring you our Download Festival 2026 experience directly from the front lines.
And now we'd like to hear from you!
Which bands are you most excited to see this year? Are there any hidden gems on the line-up that you think deserve more attention? What are your predictions for the weekend?
Drop us your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation...
See you in the pit!
Getting Download Ready?
If you're heading to Donington this weekend and still putting together your festival wardrobe, take a look through our range of officially licensed band merchandise featuring some of the artists and influences that helped shape the Download Festival experience.
Browse the collection below.
