Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Reload 2026, held in Sulingen Germany, continues to pick up speed and presents an impressive new wave of bands. Led by Black Label Society, Alestorm and Avatar – all coming to Sulingen for the first time – 29 more acts are joining a line-up that already boasts genre legends such as Judas Priest, In Flames and Arch Enemy. One of the strongest editions in festival history is already shaping up. While advance sales are running faster than ever before, one thing is certain: the Mainstage will remain open on all three festival days in 2026. At the same time, pre-sales are heading for unprecedented dimensions – an early sell-out is becoming increasingly likely.
Fans have had to wait almost a decade: Black Label Society will finally take to the Reload stage in 2026. Announced back in 2017, but prevented at the time, the band led by exceptional guitarist Zakk Wylde – known for his many years of work with Ozzy Osbourne and currently also active with Pantera – is now fulfilling the promise they have been keeping for years.
Their mix of heavy metal, southern rock and groove metal stands for raw intensity, massive riffs and emotional power. Live, Black Label Society unfold a presence that grips both body and mind.
An appearance that was long overdue – and will finally become reality in 2026.
Alestorm drop anchor in Sulingen for the first time – a long-awaited shore leave for fans of folk, power and extreme metal in pirate garb. Since the 2000s, the Scots have developed from a shrill insider tip into an international force to be reckoned with, without throwing their typical humor overboard.
Musically, the band offers rapidly changing moods: from anthemic choruses to blast-like escalations to danceable melodies, garnished with striking folk hooks and a good dose of self-irony.
Live transforms every show into a raging deck full of crowdsurfers, keytar salvos and rum chorales – an unforgettable spectacle that adds a wild chapter to Reload 2026.
With Avatar, a band that stages metal like a dark play enters the Reload stage in 2026. The Gothenburgers combine groove, horror, avant-garde and melodic elements to create a work of art that is as idiosyncratic as it is captivating.
Their latest album Don’t Go In The Forest (2025) takes the audience into a world full of fantasy, fear and fascination. Live, Avatar’s shows seem like choreographed escalations – somewhere between circus, ritual and abyss.
Anyone looking for an immersive, intense performance in 2026 will find it here.
With the new wave of bands, 49 acts have now been confirmed for Reload Festival 2026 – including numerous premieres and big names that will shape the next festival summer
After the overwhelming feedback in 2025, we have decided to open the Mainstage on Thursday again next year. This will allow us to offer our visitors an even higher quality and more varied program says Managing Director André Jürgens.
All important information about tickets, prices, availability and exclusive pre-sale promotions can be found here on our official website at www.reload-festival.de/tickets.
Reload Festival 2026 – August 13 to 15 – WELCOME HOME!
With: Judas Priest, In Flames, Arch Enemy, Lamb of God, Airbourne, Godsmack,
Black Label Society, Alestorm, Avatar, The Ghost Inside, Thy Art Is Murder, Imminence, Paleface Swiss, Amorphis, Nothing More, Orbit Culture, Kim Dracula, Soulfly, Of Mice & Men, Perturbator, Stick To Your Guns, Agnostic Front, Terror, Fit For An Autopsy, Dominum, Northlane, Vengaboys, Future Palace, Deafheaven, Kittie, Gaerea, Thundermother, ZSK, Vended, From Fall To Spring, Alien Ant Farm, Signs Of The Swarm, Gutalax, Misery Index, Self Deception, Allt, Broken By The Scream, 100 Kilo Herz, Excrementory Grindfuckers, Cytotoxin, Luna Kills, Inhuman Nature, Vulvarine, Wrestlemaniacs and many more!
