Rock in Rio 2026 is happening this September in Rio de Janeiro, bringing together over 40 acts across seven days of festival fun at the Cidade do Rock (City of Rock) in the Barra da Tijuca Olympic Park. If you’re planning a trip to Rio to catch the festival, this guide has everything you need to know: dates, tickets, how to get there, and what to do while you’re in town.
About Rock in Rio 2026
Rock in Rio is one of the biggest music festivals in the world, born in Rio de Janeiro back in 1985. The 2026 edition marks the festival’s return to Brazil after four years — the last Rio edition was in 2022 — and promises to be one of the most ambitious yet, with 45 international acts, 15 of which are exclusive festival performances.
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The City of Rock gets a brand-new look for 2026, with the World Stage (Palco Mundo) expanded to over 100 meters wide and thousands of square meters of high-definition LED panels. Alongside the World Stage and the Sunset Stage — the two main stages — the festival features smaller stages scattered throughout the City of Rock for local and international acts all day long.
This year’s lineup spans classic rock to electronic music, K-pop to international pop: Foo Fighters, Elton John, Avenged Sevenfold, Calvin Harris, Stray Kids, Maroon 5, and Twenty One Pilots are among the confirmed headliners. On the Brazilian side, Gilberto Gil, Capital Inicial, Detonautas, Barão Vermelho, and Ivete Sangalo share the stages with the international stars.
Event Details at a Glance
- Event: Rock in Rio 2026
- Dates: September 4, 5, 6, and 7 (1st weekend) and September 11, 12, and 13 (2nd weekend), 2026
- Hours: Gates open at 2:00 PM; shows on the World Stage start at 5:00 PM (full schedule on the official website)
- Location: Cidade do Rock — Parque Olímpico, Av. Embaixador Abelardo Bueno, s/n, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ — ZIP 22775-040
- Main Stages: World Stage (Palco Mundo) and Sunset Stage (Palco Sunset)
- Age Rating: Check the official website (varies by day)
- Organizer: Rock World
Daily Lineup (World Stage)
- Sept 4 (Fri): Foo Fighters, Rise Against, The Hives, Nova Twins
- Sept 5 (Sat): Avenged Sevenfold, Bring Me the Horizon, Machine Gun Kelly, Sepultura
- Sept 6 (Sun): Calvin Harris, Black Eyed Peas, Nelly, Barão Vermelho
- Sept 7 (Holiday): Elton John & Gilberto Gil (special collaboration), Jon Batiste, Luísa Sonza
- Sept 11 (Thu): Stray Kids, Alok, Hwasa
- Sept 12 (Fri): Maroon 5, Demi Lovato
- Sept 13 (Sat): Twenty One Pilots, Zara Larsson (Sunset Stage)
Tickets — Where to Buy and Prices
Rock in Rio 2026 tickets are sold exclusively through the Ticketmaster website. General sale started on June 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Each CPF (Brazilian taxpayer ID) can purchase up to four tickets per festival day.
| Sector | Full Price | Half Price | Itaú (15% off) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gramado (General Admission) | R$ 870.00 | R$ 435.00 | R$ 739.50 |
| Comfort Zone | R$ 1,950.00 | R$ 975.00 | – |
The Gramado sector gives you free access to the entire City of Rock and all shows. The Comfort Zone is an exclusive area near the World Stage with private bars and restrooms. Payment can be made via Pix or credit card (up to 6 interest-free installments; 8 installments for Itaú customers).
Buy tickets on the official Ticketmaster website
How to Get to the City of Rock
The City of Rock is located in the Barra da Tijuca Olympic Park, about 22 miles from downtown Rio and 15 miles from Copacabana. Traffic in the area on festival days tends to get heavy from early afternoon, so public transportation is your safest bet.
Metro + BRT (most affordable option): Take Line 4 (yellow) of the metro to Jardim Oceânico station, then hop on the BRT Transolímpica bus heading to Parque Olímpico station. The transfer costs R$ 4.30 with a single ticket. The BRT runs on extended hours on show days, operating until about 2 hours after the last performance ends.
Rock Express: An exclusive shuttle bus service departing from the Jardim Oceânico and Alvorada terminals every 10 minutes, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 AM, with no intermediate stops until the Olympic Terminal.
Primeira Classe Bus: An executive bus service with 16 boarding points in Rio and 22 in other cities in RJ, SP, and MG. Round trip for R$ 23.00; departures between 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM with no stops.
Ride-sharing apps (Uber, 99, Cabify): They work, but expect long wait times when leaving. Arrange your pickup point in advance through the app.
What to Do Near the City of Rock
Barra da Tijuca is a planned neighborhood with malls, beaches, and restaurants, but Rio has so much more to offer before or after the festival. If you’re spending more than a day in the city, make sure to check out the iconic landmarks that are less than 40 minutes from the City of Rock.
Christ the Redeemer and Corcovado Mountain are a must for anyone visiting from out of town. There are guided tour options departing from different points in the city, with a private van and an expert guide — a convenient way to get to the monument without relying on the Corcovado train or figuring out your own transport:
Christ the Redeemer Tour — Civitatis
Sugarloaf Mountain is another unmissable attraction, accessible by cable car with panoramic views of Guanabara Bay. Guided tours in Portuguese depart from downtown and the South Zone:
Sugarloaf Mountain Tour — Civitatis
Where to Stay Nearby
If you want to minimize travel time on festival days, Barra da Tijuca is the most practical option — the Olympic Park is just a few minutes by car or Uber from most hotels in the neighborhood. The downside is that Barra has fewer dining and sightseeing options beyond the malls.
If you prefer to stay in an area with more urban energy, go for the South Zone (Ipanema, Leblon, Copacabana) and combine metro + BRT to get to the festival. The distance is greater, but the city experience is incomparably better. To compare prices and neighborhoods, check out our Rio de Janeiro accommodation guide.
Official Profiles
- Rock in Rio Instagram: @rockinrio
- Official website: rockinrio.com
- Tickets: ticketmaster.com.br
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are tickets for Rock in Rio 2026?
General admission (Gramado) tickets cost R$ 870 (full price) and R$ 435 (half price). The Comfort Zone sector, which offers an exclusive area near the World Stage, costs R$ 1,950 (full price) and R$ 975 (half price). Itaú customers get 15% off full-price tickets. Tickets are sold exclusively through the Ticketmaster website.
How do I get to Rock in Rio from Copacabana or Ipanema?
The most practical route is the metro Line 4 (yellow) to Jardim Oceânico, followed by the BRT Transolímpica bus to Parque Olímpico station. The transfer costs R$ 4.30. On festival days, the Rock Express also departs from the Jardim Oceânico terminal every 10 minutes.
Does Rock in Rio 2026 have Brazilian acts?
Yes. Gilberto Gil, Capital Inicial, Detonautas, Barão Vermelho, Sepultura, Ivete Sangalo, Alok, João Gomes, and Luísa Sonza are among the confirmed Brazilian acts, spread across the World Stage and Sunset Stage over the seven days.
Can I buy tickets at a physical box office?
No. Rock in Rio 2026 tickets are sold exclusively online through the Ticketmaster website (ticketmaster.com.br). There are no in-person sales points; beware of unofficial resellers.
What is the age rating for Rock in Rio 2026?
The age rating may vary by festival day. Check the official Rock in Rio website (rockinrio.com) to verify the age limit for each date before buying your ticket.
Where is the City of Rock located?
The City of Rock is located in the Olympic Park, at Av. Embaixador Abelardo Bueno, s/n, in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood, Rio de Janeiro, ZIP 22775-040 — about 15 miles from Copacabana and 22 miles from downtown Rio.
