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Isle of Wight Festival, one of the mightiest and most storied events in the UK festival calendar, has unveiled its headliners for 2026. The Newport event, which has seen the likes of Joni Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix and The Doors grace its stages over the years, has announced a bill that its festival director says ‘might be our best line-up yet’.
In 2025 IOW was headlined by Sting, Stereophonics and Justin Timberlake – and it’s looking like next year will be a serious step up. Lewis Capaldi, Calvin Harris and The Cure lead the way on a lineup that is packed with huge names young and old.
Tickets for IOW 2026 go on sale this week. Here’s what you need to know about the festival’s next edition, from the lineup so far to how to buy tickets.
RECOMMENDED: The best music festivals in the UK.
When is Isle of Wight Festival 2026?
Next year’s Isle of Wight fest will take place on June 18-21 2026 at Seaclose Park in Newport.
Isle of Wight 2026 headliners
Friday June 19
The first headliner of the weekend in Newport will be Lewis Capaldi. Following a triumphant appearance at Glastonbury, the Scottish singer and songwriter recently made a big return to touring. He’s playing several huge outdoor dates in the UK next summer, including two dates at BST Hyde Park in London.
Saturday June 20
Calvin Harris will wrap up the second major day of Isle of Wight Festival 2026. The Scottish DJ has announced a string of headline dates next summer, including at Creamfields 2026.
Sunday June 21
Goth icons The Cure will close out Isle of Wight fest on the Sunday. Robert Smith and co returned with a new album last year – Songs of a Lost World, one of Time Out’s best albums of 2024 – and were last week also announced as headliners of Barcelona’s Primavera Sound 2026.
Full confirmed line-up (so far)
Here’s the full Isle of Wight Festival 2026 lineup so far, including the likes of Teddy Swims, The Last Dinner Party and, notably, a massive homecoming gig for Wet Leg.
- Anastacia
- Calvin Harris
- David Gray
- Feeder
- FIVE
- Jo Whiley’s 90s Anthems
- KT Tunstall
- Lewis Capaldi
- Luvcat
- Rick Astley
- Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter
- Shed Seven
- Starsailor
- Suzanne Vega
- Teddy Swims
- Tom Grennan
- The Cure
- The Kooks
- The Last Dinner Party
- Wet Leg
When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets will go on sale at 8am on Wednesday October 1. You’ll be able to buy on Ticketmaster here.
What’s been said about the festival?
Speaking about the festival’s 2026 line-up, festival director Caroline Giddings said: ‘It might be our best line-up yet. It’s my favourite so far, at least. We’re proud to put the future of music and current stars on a bill alongside artists like The Cure and the Sex Pistols, who helped lay the foundation of pop culture.’
‘The festival has always been an extension of the Isle of Wight’s rich cultural history. From Lewis Carroll and Tennyson to Julia Margaret Cameron, the island has been a source of inspiration for artists through time. We always try to honour that by presenting the very best music has to offer, giving people an unforgettable festival.’
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