SICK NEW WORLD 2026: THE FESTIVAL EXPANDS TO TEXAS
After a year off, Sick New World is officially returning in 2026 — and for the first time, it’s expanding beyond Nevada. The heavy music festival, known for reviving the sound and spirit of the early-2000s alternative scene, will now take place in two cities: April 25th at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds, and October 24th at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.
The announcement marks a significant milestone for the young festival, which launched in 2023 and has quickly become one of the largest gatherings for nu-metal, industrial, and alternative rock fans worldwide. After its planned 2024 return was canceled late last year, rumors circulated for months about whether "Sick New World" would ever return. That speculation ended when billboards began appearing around Las Vegas in October, teasing the festival’s logo and new 2026 dates — followed by official confirmation on sicknewworldfest.com.
The addition of a Texas edition marks a significant shift for Sick New World, which has been exclusive to Las Vegas until now. The expansion positions the festival closer to the heart of the U.S. rock and metal touring circuit — a move that gives southern fans long-awaited access to one of heavy music’s biggest events.
Las Vegas will host the first installment on April 25th, headlined by System of a Down and Korn, with performances by Bring Me The Horizon, Evanescence, AFI, Marilyn Manson, Danny Elfman, Knocked Loose, Mastodon, Cypress Hill, Underøath, and dozens more. The lineup spans generations of alternative music, pairing 2000s staples with the current wave of metalcore and post-hardcore acts leading the modern scene.
The Fort Worth event is scheduled for October 24th. It introduces a few major changes — Deftones replace Korn, and Slayer joins the bill for their first Sick New World appearance, celebrating the 40th anniversary of their landmark album Reign in Blood. Other performers include System of a Down, Evanescence, AFI, The Prodigy, Marilyn Manson, Knocked Loose, and Power Trip, alongside a diverse roster of supporting artists from across the hardcore, industrial, and experimental metal genres.
This year’s lineup balances legacy acts with new leaders of the next generation. Knocked Loose, Code Orange, Health, and Loathe represent the heavier experimental edge shaping modern metal, while artists like Danny Elfman and Twin Tribes add a cinematic, gothic contrast that broadens the event’s sonic range.
April 25 – Las Vegas Festival Grounds (Las Vegas, NV)
October 24 – Texas Motor Speedway (Fort Worth, TX)
Headliners:
Las Vegas — System of a Down, Korn, Bring Me The Horizon, Evanescence, AFI, Marilyn Manson, Danny Elfman
Fort Worth — System of a Down, Deftones, Slayer, The Prodigy, Evanescence, AFI, Marilyn Manson
Tickets + Info: sicknewworldfest.com
#SickNewWorld #RivalSpotlight #SystemOfADown #Korn #Deftones #Slayer #Evanescence #AFI #KnockedLoose #HeavyMusic #FestivalNews
