2026 POWER TRIP FESTIVAL ANNOUNCED: RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, METALLICA, IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, GUNS N’ ROSES & TOOL RETURN FOR THE BIGGEST ROCK EVENT OF THE DECADE — SET TIMES REVEALED
The desert will roar again. After months of speculation, the legendary Power Trip Festival is officially returning in 2026, bringing together six of the most powerful forces in rock and metal for what’s being hailed as the biggest live event of the decade. Confirmed headliners include Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Guns N’ Roses, and Tool — a lineup that reads like a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame roster. Taking place once again at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California, the home of Coachella and the site of the first Power Trip in 2023, this year’s event promises an even more explosive experience.
Organizers, Goldenvoice, unveiled the details this morning, confirming the festival will run from October 2–4, 2026, with exclusive three-night performances that bridge generations of rock fans. The announcement immediately sent waves across social media, with fans scrambling to secure presale registration and tickets that are expected to sell out in record time.
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The Lineup: Legends Only
The 2026 Power Trip lineup is nothing short of monumental. Each night pairs icons from different eras, curating a cross-genre rock experience designed to celebrate everything from heavy metal’s golden age to modern alternative powerhouses.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2 — “Metal Masters Night”
Judas Priest (8:00 PM)
Iron Maiden (10:00 PM)
The festival will kick off with a double dose of British heavy metal royalty. Judas Priest, fresh off their 2025 “Invincible Shield Tour,” will open the event with a thunderous set spanning five decades of hits, including Breaking the Law, Painkiller, and Electric Eye. Then Iron Maiden will take the stage under desert skies, complete with their iconic mascot Eddie and their largest stage production yet. Fans can expect epic performances of The Trooper, Fear of the Dark, and selections from their 2021 album Senjutsu — as well as surprises from their rumored upcoming release.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3 — “Rock Revolution Night”
Red Hot Chili Peppers (8:30 PM)
Guns N’ Roses (10:30 PM)
Day two celebrates the kings of 80s and 90s rock. The Red Hot Chili Peppers will bring their unmatched energy and groove to the desert with a career-spanning setlist featuring Under the Bridge, Californication, and Scar Tissue, alongside fresh material from their 2024 double album Return to the Getaway. With Flea’s funk-driven bass, John Frusciante’s electric guitar magic, and Anthony Kiedis’ fiery vocals, fans are already calling it one of the festival’s most anticipated performances.
Then, as the night deepens, Guns N’ Roses will close the show with a two-hour blast of pure rock chaos. Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan are returning to Power Trip with their newly extended reunion lineup. Expect classics like Welcome to the Jungle, Sweet Child O’ Mine, and November Rain to echo across the desert — complete with pyrotechnics, fireworks, and the swagger that defined an era.
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4 — “The Titans of Sound”
Tool (8:30 PM)
Metallica (10:30 PM)
The final night of Power Trip 2026 will take audiences on a transcendental journey. Tool’s mesmerizing visuals and complex rhythms will set a hypnotic tone as Maynard James Keenan and company perform their signature immersive show, featuring tracks from Fear Inoculum and their rumored 2025 follow-up album. Their set is expected to run over 90 minutes, blending stunning lighting effects, eerie visuals, and technical mastery that few can rival.
And to close the festival, Metallica — the gods of metal themselves — will take the stage for a climactic finale. The band is expected to deliver a two-hour career retrospective, complete with hits like Enter Sandman, Master of Puppets, One, and Lux Æterna. Rumors hint at a surprise collaboration during their encore, possibly featuring members of other festival acts, echoing the legendary jam session that closed Power Trip 2023.
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️ Tickets, Packages, and Fan Experience
Tickets for Power Trip 2026 go on sale Friday, October 24, with presale registration already open at the festival’s official website. Options include three-day General Admission, VIP Desert Packages, and Luxury Safari Campgrounds for fans seeking a premium experience. Goldenvoice has confirmed expanded amenities, improved shuttle access, and more shade zones, addressing fan feedback from 2023.
For the first time, the festival will introduce “The Power Lounge”, an exclusive air-conditioned retreat offering gourmet dining, private bars, artist Q&A sessions, and limited-edition merchandise.
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Why Power Trip Matters
When Power Trip debuted in 2023, it was described as a “once-in-a-lifetime event.” Yet its overwhelming success and cultural impact demanded a sequel. More than a festival, it’s become a pilgrimage for rock and metal fans — a space where generations unite under the banner of loud, live music.
The 2026 edition aims to surpass every expectation, bridging styles from funk-rock to thrash metal, uniting fans young and old. For many, this event isn’t just about nostalgia — it’s a reaffirmation of rock’s enduring spirit in a digital age.
As Metallica’s Lars Ulrich said in the official press release:
> “Power Trip isn’t just another festival — it’s a monument to everything we love about this music. We’re not just coming to play; we’re coming to make history again.”
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⚡ Final Thoughts
With six of the greatest bands on Earth sharing one desert stage, Power Trip 2026 promises to be the defining rock event of the 2020s — a thunderous, unforgettable weekend that will echo through music history.
Get your tickets, pack your earplugs, and prepare for the loudest weekend of your life.
Rock lives on.
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Event Details:
Empire Polo Grounds, Indio, California
October 2–4, 2026
Featuring: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Judas
Priest, Guns N’ Roses, Tool
️ Tickets: On sale October 24, 2025 at
