Sick New World 2026 expands to Texas: dates, lineups, tickets, and why this year is bigger than ever

Sick New World is back—and bigger. After a year off, the nu-metal/alt-heavy festival returns in 2026 with two one-day events: its traditional Las Vegas blowout in the spring and a new fall edition in Fort Worth, Texas. Both shows are headlined by System of a Down, with Texas adding a milestone celebration for Slayer. Ticket presales begin Friday at 10 a.m. local time, with general onsale to follow.

Sick New World 2026 at a glance

Lineups and schedules subject to change.

Lineups: Sick New World 2026 and Sick New World 2026 Texas

The Las Vegas edition leans hard into the festival’s signature blend of nu-metal, industrial, and left-of-center heavy music, with Korn joining System of a Down at the top and a sprawling undercard that includes modern headliners and cult favorites. Expect a slate featuring names such as Bring Me the Horizon, Evanescence, Ministry, AFI, Underoath, Acid Bath, and more across multiple stages.

For Sick New World 2026 Texas, the tone skews a touch darker and heavier to suit the speedway setting. Alongside System of a Down and Deftones, the Texas bill highlights Slayer in a special anniversary spotlight. Rounding out the Fort Worth card are veterans and modern disruptors—Evanescence, Ministry, AFI, Mastodon, KMFDM, Orgy, Lords of Acid, Underoath, and others—building a lineup that nods to the movement’s roots while showcasing its current torchbearers.

Why the Texas expansion matters

Adding Sick New World 2026 Texas is more than a new dot on the map—it’s a strategic shift with fan benefits:

• Regional access: The Texas Motor Speedway setting pulls in fans from Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, Oklahoma, and beyond without the travel costs of Vegas.

• Scale and production: A speedway footprint allows for wider sightlines, bigger staging, and smoother ingress/egress compared with urban fairgrounds.

• Programming flexibility: Splitting the festival across two dates gives organizers room to tailor each lineup—Las Vegas for the classic SNW atmosphere; Fort Worth for a heavier, stadium-sized punch.

Tickets, presales, and planning tips

• Presale start: Friday, 10 a.m. local time (city-specific). Sign up for codes in advance; popular tiers can vanish in minutes.

• GA vs. VIP: VIP typically bundles priority entry, shade/seating, and closer stage access—worth it for Texas heat or if you plan to camp a primary stage.

• Payment plans: Expect installment options; read the fine print for cut-off dates and transfer rules.

• Travel & lodging:

  • Las Vegas (Apr 25): Book early; spring weekends stack with other events. Proximity to the Strip simplifies transport but raises prices.

  • Fort Worth (Oct 24): Look along I-35W and near Alliance/Heritage Trace for hotel clusters; rideshare staging at speedways can add exit time, so budget extra.

For fans of Sick New World and the 2000s heavy revival

Sick New World has become a hub for the late-’90s/2000s wave—nu-metal, industrial crossover, alt-heavy—with a modern twist. The 2026 return signals confidence after the shelved 2025 edition, and the bills reflect that: proven headliners, influential legacy acts, and a generation of newer artists who’ve turned algorithmic buzz into real-world crowd energy.

What to expect on show day:

• Tight changeovers: These fests run with military precision; map your must-sees and be ready to move.

• Wall-to-wall sing-alongs: From SOAD and Korn to Deftones and Evanescence, many sets will be greatest-hits heavy.

• Industrial takeover pockets: Texas, in particular, leans into classic industrial and EBM names—expect high-BPM dance pits between guitar barrages.

FAQ: Sick New World 2026 and Sick New World 2026 Texas

• Is Texas a one-off? It’s branded as an inaugural event at Texas Motor Speedway, with the scale to return if demand holds.

• Will the lineups be identical? No. There’s overlap at the top, but each city has unique bookings and flow.

• What about weather? Vegas in late April is warm and dry; plan for sun exposure. Fort Worth in late October can swing—pack layers and hydration strategies.

• Set times and maps? Typically released 1–2 weeks before show day via official channels.

Sick New World 2026 reclaims its spot on the heavy-music calendar with a double strike: Las Vegas on April 25 and Fort Worth on October 24. With System of a Down anchoring both, Korn co-headlining Vegas, and Deftones plus a Slayer anniversary spotlight elevating Texas, the festival is framing 2026 as both a celebration of an era and a statement of intent. If you’ve ever wanted the SNW experience without crossing state lines—or you’re ready for the full two-city tour—this is the year to circle in ink.