The next edition of the UK’s premier rock festival will take place between Wednesday 10th and Sunday 14th June 2026. The arena will be open from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th June.
Download Festival takes place at the hallowed grounds of rock, Donington Park, Derby, next to East Midlands Airport. Get to the festival by car, train, plane, coach and more – head to our Travel Info section to find out more.
Guns N’ Roses, Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park will headline #DLXXIII, with many more unmissable artists playing across the weekend.
Set times will be released in our official app closer to the festival.
Maps will be released in our official app closer to the festival.
Use our official app to stay up to date on the latest festival news. Our interactive site map, schedule-builder and in-app tickets will be available closer to the festival.
Charge Candy’s Buy the Charger-A-Day weekend package allows you one full portable charger every day.
There will be multiple water points across the site – remember to bring a refillable bottle
In 2025, we had over 160 food and drink vendors across the site. From our street food area Welder’s Yard to our food stage in District X, the Beer Hall and cocktail bars to our alcohol-free Bar Zero, there’s something for every taste.
Dietary Requirements
We are continuously looking to grow our ‘free-from’ traders, whether that’s 100% vegan or 100% coeliac friendly. In 2025 we had over 40 food vendors offering a vegan main meal option and over 80 offering a vegetarian meal option. We also added even more food stalls that are coeliac friendly with over thirty different traders offering gluten free options.
Bags must be A4 size or under (30cm height x 8cm depth x 21cm width) to enter the main arena.
These bag restrictions apply ONLY to the arena and not to the campsites.
All Downloaders will be subject to extra searches of their bags (as well as their vehicles and their person).
Lockers will be available in the Main Arena, District X and the Accessible Campsite.
District X: Pre-book a locker via Refresh Retreat.
Main Arena: Coming soon. Keep an eye on official updates.
Accessible Campsite: Coming soon. Keep an eye on official updates.
Free showers are provided specifically for campers located in District X.
For those looking for an upgraded experience, Refresh Retreat offers various packages that include shower access.
Locker Hire – £20
Keep your essentials safe with our 24hr CCTV monitored lockers, each equipped with a single USB charging port (please bring your own cable). Ideal for storing small personal belongings.
Locker size: 25cm (W) x 15.5cm (D) x 10cm (H)
Luxury Loo – £45
Enjoy upgraded comfort with access to our luxury toilets, cleaned regularly by our dedicated crew throughout opening hours. This package also grants entry to the Refresh Retreat Lounge, featuring hair care stations and dressing tables. Please note queues may form during peak times.
Silver Package – Toilets & Showers – £60
Upgrade your festival experience with access to both our luxury toilets and showers, professionally cleaned throughout opening hours. You’ll also gain entry to the Refresh Retreat Lounge. Please note queues may form during peak times.
Gold Package – Toilets, Showers & Locker – £75
Our most comprehensive offering includes secure locker access (with USB charging port), access to our luxury toilets and showers, and entry to the Refresh Retreat Lounge. Please be aware of potential queues during busy periods.
Please note, all packages will be available at our onsite ticket exchange (open 7am–1am). All facilities will be located in the general camping area and inaccessible to day ticket holders.
We’re a cashless festival so please make sure you bring your bank cards and have your phones charged for contactless.
Given the proximity to East Midlands Airport, drones are strictly prohibited. Police will be onsite to enforce this as it is a very serious offence.
Lots of Downloaders come to the festival solo – we have a Lone Wolf camping area within general camping where you can meet like-minded festival goers! More information on the location of the Lone Wolf camping area will be released closer to the festival.
There is no re-admission to the main arena for day ticket holders.
Camping at Download Festival but don’t have a tent? Check out our tent buying guide:
- Do you need to buy one? Look into tent hire services as well as asking around to borrow one. Pre-pitched tent options will also be available with details to be confirmed closer to the event.
- If you do decide on buying one, we recommend investing in one that can survive the weekend. Not only is it better for the environment but it also saves you money in the long run!
- When buying a tent make sure to read the reviews and do some research. Some tents are more waterproof than others so look out for the HH rating which tells you how much water the tent can handle – generally you want one with a rating higher than HH1500, but we recommend a HH3000 one to stay warm and dry.
- Give your tent a test run before the festival and become a tent packing pro. You’ll thank yourself on the Monday morning!
Here’s a list of our festival essentials to get you through the weekend!
- Festival tickets (download mobile tickets)
- ID – accepted forms include a passport (not a photocopy), full driving licence, proof of age card bearing a PASS hologram, Ministry of Defence identity card or National Identity card issued by an EU member state.
- Payment method (we’re a cashless festival so make sure to bring your bank cards and have your phones charged for contactless).
- Mobile phone + charging (charging points will be available to hire).
- Refillable water bottle (water points will be available across the site)
- Waterproof coat and wellies if it’s raining. Suncream, sunglasses and a hat is it’s sunny. Check the weather but this is England so prepare for EVERYTHING
- A durable tent (if not using one of our pre-pitched tent options). Check out our top tips for buying a tent.
- Medication (if required). For more information, please read through the relevant section on our Health, Help and Wellbeing page.
- Sleeping mat / bag, duvet, pillows
- Toiletries
- Toilet roll
- Ear plugs + eye mask
- Small bag / bum bag to carry valuables (main arena restrictions: A4 Sized Bag H30 x W21 x D8 cm)
- Glasses / contact lenses + solution
- Bin bag (for dirty clothing / footwear)
For any other items you want to bring, check out our list of things you can and can’t bring to make sure it’s allowed.
Merchandise locations will be confirmed on our 2026 site map released closer to the festival.
There are lots of opportunities to get involved as a volunteer at Download! We’ll share more information including how to apply in early 2026.
Bags must be A4 size or under (30cm height x 8cm depth x 21cm width) in order to enter the Main Arena.
These bag restrictions apply ONLY to the arena and not to the campsites.
All Downloaders will be subject to extra searches of their bags (as well as their vehicles and their person).
We’ll be confirming the fancy dress theme for 2026 closer to the festival.