After a brief hiatus in 2025, the heavy music mecca known as Sick New World is making its thunderous return—bigger and bolder than ever. The festival will return in 2026 as not one but two single-day events: first on April 25th in Las Vegas, and then on October 24th in Fort Worth, Texas.
News of the 2026 revival initially trickled out through cryptic billboards plastered across Las Vegas, flashing the Sick New World logo and key dates. Soon after, the festival’s official website confirmed the news, launching email signups for both cities to keep fans in the loop as more details roll out.
So far, no lineup or venue details have been revealed, but the rumors are already loud. At a recent signing event, Serj Tankian of System of a Down—a staple name in the festival’s DNA—confirmed Sick New World would return in 2026. Even more telling: the festival’s signature mascots were seen flashing across screens during System’s North American summer tour, teasing what’s to come.
The 2025 edition of the festival was cancelled unexpectedly late last year. That version had boasted an outrageous co-headlining roster including Metallica and Linkin Park, with a supporting cast that read like a metal fan’s dream playlist: Queens of the Stone Age, Evanescence, Gojira, AFI, Scars on Broadway, Meshuggah, Cradle of Filth, Carcass, Acid Bath, Kittie, Cannibal Corpse, Testament, Exodus, and many more.
It remains to be seen whether those bands—or any of the original 2025 lineup—will sign on for the 2026 editions. But given the scale of the announcement and the energy behind the comeback, fans should expect something massive.
For now, all eyes are on Las Vegas and Fort Worth. With two separate dates, the mosh pits are doubling up—so brace for impact.
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