The Download Festival, one of the UK’s most iconic music events, has thrown a curveball into its 2026 lineup by announcing the legendary German dance act Scooter as a featured performer. For years, fans have clamored for the techno group—best known for their high-energy anthems like "The Logical Song"—to grace the festival’s stages. Now, their wish has finally been granted. According to Rock Sound, Scooter will take over the Avalanche Stage when Download returns to Donington Park next June, joining a star-studded roster that includes headline acts Limp Bizkit, Guns N’ Roses, and Linkin Park.
The festival, set for June 10-14, 2026, is already shaping up to be a landmark event in the rock calendar. Tickets went on sale on November 26, 2025, and the buzz has been palpable ever since. The announcement of Scooter’s addition was made via the festival’s official Instagram account, which declared the band would be "taking over The Avalanche Stage." This has led many to speculate that the German jumpstyle legends will headline at least one of the nights, offering a unique blend of dance and techno energy before the likes of Limp Bizkit hit the main stage.
For those less familiar with Scooter, the group has been a staple of the European dance scene since the early 1990s. Their infectious beats and memorable hooks, such as those in "Jumping All Over The World," have made them a household name among fans of electronic music. Yet, their inclusion at a festival traditionally dominated by rock and metal acts is, as Kerrang! notes, both a surprise and a delight. Festival director Kam Haq hinted at a surprise booking during the Download launch party earlier this month, sparking a flurry of speculation across Reddit threads and Facebook groups. Many fans tossed around names of potential leftfield artists, but few guessed that Scooter would be the ones to break the mold.
"Who doesn’t fancy a bit of Jumping All Over The World before Limp Bizkit?" quipped one fan on social media, capturing the general excitement—and mild disbelief—surrounding the announcement. The move signals Download Festival’s willingness to experiment and broaden its musical horizons, embracing acts that might once have been considered outside its core audience. As Rock Sound puts it, Scooter’s booking is a direct response to years of fan requests, suggesting that the festival is listening closely to its community.
Of course, Scooter won’t be alone in bringing a fresh sound to Donington Park. The 2026 lineup is stacked with both classic and contemporary acts. Limp Bizkit, Guns N’ Roses, and Linkin Park headline the bill, ensuring that rock purists will have plenty to look forward to. The supporting acts are equally impressive, featuring names like Bad Omens, Cypress Hill, Trivium, Electric Callboy, and Architects. According to Rock Sound, tickets are already selling briskly, with fans eager to secure their spot at what promises to be a genre-blending spectacle.
The festival’s decision to book Scooter is part of a broader trend in the live music industry, where the boundaries between genres are becoming increasingly porous. Download Festival, long known for its commitment to rock and metal, has in recent years begun to experiment with more diverse lineups. This year’s addition of Scooter is perhaps the boldest example yet. As Kerrang! notes, the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, with many fans expressing excitement at the prospect of dancing to "The Logical Song" and other Scooter hits in the heart of Donington Park.
Another intriguing aspect of the 2026 lineup is the inclusion of Spitting Glass, a band that, remarkably, has yet to release any music. This follows a similar move in 2025, when the festival featured PRESIDENT, another act with no official releases. The willingness to showcase emerging talent alongside established legends speaks to Download’s commitment to innovation and risk-taking. Whether Spitting Glass will live up to the hype remains to be seen, but their presence adds an element of mystery and anticipation to the proceedings.
Festival director Kam Haq’s strategy appears to be paying off. By blending legacy acts with unexpected bookings and up-and-coming artists, Download is ensuring its continued relevance in an increasingly competitive festival landscape. The announcement of Scooter’s performance was timed perfectly, coming just as tickets went on sale, and has generated a surge of interest both in the UK and internationally. Social media has been abuzz with speculation about which Scooter tracks will make the setlist and how the band’s high-octane show will translate to the Avalanche Stage.
"It’s going to be brilliant," declared Kerrang!, capturing the mood of many longtime festival-goers. The prospect of witnessing Scooter’s energetic performance sandwiched between rock heavyweights like Linkin Park and Guns N’ Roses is, for many, an irresistible draw. The festival’s organizers are clearly betting that this eclectic mix will appeal to both diehard rock fans and those with more eclectic tastes.
As June approaches, anticipation for Download Festival 2026 continues to build. With a lineup that boasts some of the biggest names in rock, alongside daring choices like Scooter and enigmatic newcomers like Spitting Glass, the event is poised to deliver something for everyone. The festival’s willingness to embrace change while honoring its roots is a testament to its enduring appeal. For fans, the countdown to Donington Park has well and truly begun.
Download Festival 2026 looks set to be a landmark year, blending tradition with innovation in a way few other events can match. Whether you’re there for the headbanging or the dance anthems, one thing’s for sure: Donington Park will be jumping all over the world next June.
