In a major announcement that has sent shockwaves through the UK music scene, festival organizers have confirmed a powerhouse trio to top the bill for next year’s August bank holiday weekend.

Topping the Pyramid Stage will be none other than global pop phenomenon Dua Lipa, marking a highly anticipated return to the festival after her triumphant 2022 set. She will be joined by the legendary rock icons Green Day, bringing their unparalleled punk-rock energy back to Reading for a headline performance that promises to be a career-spanning spectacle.

Completing the headline trio is the groundbreaking South Korean group SEVENTEEN, making history as the first K-pop act ever to headline the main stage at Reading. This bold booking signals the festival's commitment to genre diversity and global trends, promising a dazzling, high-energy production.

“This lineup represents the past, present, and future of festival headliners,” said Festival Republic’s Managing Director, Melvin Benn. “We have iconic rock, defining modern pop, and a groundbreaking global phenomenon. It’s a statement of intent for Reading 2026.”

Alongside the headliners, the first announcement includes a raft of major acts across the rock, indie, and alternative spectrum. Confirmed names include arena-filling rock giants Bring Me The Horizon, indie stalwarts The Strokes, chart-topping singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo, and UK rap superstar Central Cee. Dozens more acts across multiple stages are still to be announced.

For fans desperate to secure their spot, the ticket sale schedule has also been confirmed. A special presale for those who attended the 2024 or 2025 festivals will begin at 9 AM on Tuesday, April 8th, 2025. General sale tickets will then be released at the same time on Thursday, April 10th, 2025.

All tickets are expected to sell rapidly, given the caliber and diversity of the headliners. Reading Festival 2026 is scheduled for its traditional bank holiday weekend from Friday, August 28th to Sunday, August 30th at its long-standing home of Little John’s Farm. With this initial lineup, organizers have set the stage for what could be one of the most talked-about festivals in the event’s storied history.