Alcatraz Festival drops over 60 new names for 2026 edition

Alcatraz Festival just cranked the anticipation for its 18th edition (August 6–9, 2026 in Kortrijk, Belgium) to a whole new level with the reveal of a massive batch of 66 new bands. This year also brings some exciting updates: for the first time ever, the Prison Stage (main stage) will open already on Thursday, and day tickets are available right now at a lower price than in 2025, making the Alcatraz experience even more accessible for fans.

The big headliner news is the return of Arch Enemy, who will close the main stage on Saturday, and Alestorm, ready to transform Thursday into a wild pirate metal party. They’ll be joined by an eclectic selection of acts: groove titans Soulfly, Belgian heavyweights Channel Zero, and none other than Mikkey Dee with friends bringing back the spirit of Motörhead Classics. Thrashers are spoiled with Sacred Reich, Municipal Waste, Coroner, and Metal Church, while death metal fans can brace for devastation from Immolation, Internal Bleeding, Jungle Rot, 200 Stab Wounds, Sanguisugabogg, Hate, and more.

The festival also pulls in unique flavors with Body Count, Amenra, Igorrr, Combichrist, and viral sensation Miracle of Sound. Classic names like Armored Saint, Rose Tattoo, Warrior Soul, and Saxon balance out the bill, alongside modern scene leaders such as Kittie, Northlane, Animals As Leaders, Bleed From Within, Chelsea Grin, and The Ghost Inside. And we’re especially happy to see Luna Kills on the bill, the Finnish alt-metal band we’ve been following and supporting for years, now getting a chance to shine on a big international stage in Belgium.

For Belgian metal fans, there’s plenty to celebrate: with Channel Zero, Amenra, Enthroned, Psychonaut, Brutal Sphincter, and Mantah all representing homegrown talent on international stages, Alcatraz once again shows its commitment to giving local heroes the spotlight they deserve.

Underground and extreme fans won’t be left wanting either, with appearances by The Ruins of Beverast, Carach Angren, Aura Noir, Blackbraid, Castle Rat, Vacuous, Mortal Scepter, and many more. Check out the poster up here or the official Alcatraz line-up here to catch every single band that is already confirmed!

This new wave joins the already announced first batch of names including Powerwolf, Slaughter to Prevail, Savatage, Testament, Paleface Swiss, Biohazard, Satyricon, Alcest, Amorphis, Dirkschneider, Orbit Culture, Death Angel, Deicide, Soen, Of Mice & Men, Voivod, Mushroomhead, Anaal Nathrakh, Crimson Glory, and Vended, making it clear that Alcatraz 2026 is shaping up to be one of the strongest editions yet.

With such an eclectic and powerful lineup, Alcatraz’s 18th edition promises to be historic: four days of metal mayhem in Kortrijk, at fan-friendlier prices, with even more action from the very first day.

Get your tickets right here.