After the abrupt cancellation of the 2025 edition, Sick New World (SNW) is back and not just in one city. In 2026 the festival returns with two major one-day events, in Las Vegas and Fort Worth, Texas, re-asserting itself as one of the boldest heavy/alt-rock festivals in the U.S. Here’s your early look at what to expect.

Debuting in 2023 with a successful lineup, Sick New World quickly built a reputation for its heavy-rock, nu-metal, industrial and gothic-leaning lineup. With the cancellation behind them, organizers are now rebooting in 2026, with a bifurcated strategy: the original Vegas event plus a brand-new Texas debut.

2026 Dates & Locations

Las Vegas, NV: Scheduled for April 25, 2026 at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds.

Fort Worth, TX: Inaugural Texas edition set for October 24, 2026 at the Texas Motor Speedway.

The 2026 editions lean into the festival’s core: heavy, alternative and genre-crossing rock.

Las Vegas, NV (April 25, 2026)

Headlined by System of a Down, with major support from Korn. The bill also features Bring Me the Horizon, Marilyn Manson, Evanescence, Ministry, AFI, Cypress Hill, Acid Bath (notably), and more.

Fort Worth, TX (October 24, 2026)

A standout heavy-metal lineup featuring System of a Down again, plus Slayer (celebrating 40 years of Reign in Blood), Deftones, Evanescence (again), Ministry, AFI, Mastodon, and others.

Signup for the official Sick New World mailing list for presale codes!

https://www.sicknewworldfest.com/vegas

Las Vegas presale begins this Friday, October 23rd.

For fans of heavy, alternative and genre-hybrid rock festivals, 2026 is shaping up to be a comeback year for Sick New World. With a strong lineup anchored by System of a Down and a savvy dual-city format, the festival is making a statement: it’s not just back, it’s expanding. Whether you’ve been to Sick New World before or this is your first rodeo, now’s the time to get ahead of tickets, travel, and planning