Global pop superstar Katy Perry has been announced as a major headliner for the 2026 edition of the Rock In Rio Lisbon festival. The “Firework” singer is set to take the main Palco Mundo stage on June 20, 2026, marking a triumphant return to the celebrated music event and signaling a significant performance for the artist.
LISBON, PORTUGAL — The lineup for the 11th edition of Rock In Rio Lisbon is taking shape as one of its most powerful yet, with the official confirmation that Katy Perry will headline the festival’s first day. Perry is scheduled for a prime-time performance on Saturday, June 20, 2026, a day the festival has officially billed as “Pop Day.”
This marks Perry’s highly anticipated return to the City of Rock, following her acclaimed performance at the festival back in 2018. Her inclusion adds significant star power to the event, joining the previously announced rock legends Linkin Park, who are scheduled to headline the following night on June 21.
The festival’s “Pop Day” is being curated as a vibrant celebration of music, dancing, and unity, designed to attract a multi-generational audience. Perry’s set will anchor the Palco Mundo stage, which will also feature performances from Brazilian music sensation Pedro Sampaio and the emotive Lusophone duo Calema, showcasing the festival’s commitment to blending global superstars with prominent international and local talent.
This major professional announcement comes at a time when Perry has also been the subject of significant media attention regarding her personal life, most notably a rumored romance with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The 2026 edition of Rock in Rio Lisbon is set to be its most ambitious to date. Organizers have announced a significant expansion of the festival grounds by over 25,000 square meters, aimed at enhancing comfort and the overall attendee experience. A key new feature will be “The Flight,” an exclusive aerial show crafted specifically for the event, designed to create a unique spectacle beyond the traditional music stages.
“We are preparing the largest and best edition of Rock in Rio Lisbon with unique and memorable experiences,” said Roberta Medina, Executive Vice President of the festival. “We want Rock in Rio Lisbon to continue being much more than a festival, a stage for unique, live, and collective experiences showing that people united in peace and harmony are the greatest transformative force.”
In addition to the physical expansion, the festival is boosting its hospitality and premium package offerings to cater to a wider range of attendees, from corporate clients to VIP guests. These new areas, including the Comfort Zone and a Premium Club, will provide reserved spaces, exclusive amenities, and spectacular stage views, further positioning the festival as a premier global entertainment destination.
The 11th edition of Rock in Rio Lisbon will take place on June 20, 21, 27, and 28, 2026.
