Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL) is a two-weekend music festival held every October at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. Founded in 2002, it spans nine stages and features a multi-genre lineup covering rock, pop, hip-hop, indie, electronic, and country. The 2026 edition runs October 2 to 4 and October 9 to 11, marking the festival's 25th anniversary.
What Is ACL
ACL takes over Austin's Zilker Park for two consecutive three-day weekends each fall. The festival is produced by C3 Presents, the same team behind Lollapalooza. It features around 130 acts across nine stages, mixing headline performers with emerging talent.
The festival is known for its genre diversity. A single day can include a pop headliner, a hip-hop act, an indie rock band, and a country artist on adjacent stages. Food vendors reflect Austin's food culture, with local restaurants operating booths throughout the park.
General admission and GA+ tickets for weekend one of the 2026 edition sold out within hours of going on sale on May 5, 2026.
2026 Lineup and 25th Anniversary
The 2026 headliners are Charli xcx, RUFUS DU SOL, Twenty One Pilots, Lorde, Skrillex (Weekend 1), Kings of Leon (Weekend 2), and The xx.
The supporting lineup includes Turnstile, Labrinth, Lola Young, The Chainsmokers, Geese, Young Miko, Bleachers, SOFI TUKKER, Parcels, The War On Drugs, Leon Thomas, Brandon Flowers (Weekend 1), Blood Orange, Lykke Li, Suki Waterhouse, Amyl and the Sniffers, Snow Strippers, and Steve Aoki.
The 2026 edition also features a strong slate of emerging artists including Sienna Spiro, Audrey Hobert, Paris Paloma, Skye Newman, and Claire Rosinkranz, plus Latin artists like Young Miko, Rodrigo y Gabriela, and rusowsky.
Lineup History
ACL has booked some of the biggest names in music since its founding in 2002. Here is a look at headliners from recent editions:
| Year | Friday Headliner | Saturday Headliner | Sunday Headliner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Charli xcx / Twenty One Pilots | RUFUS DU SOL / Lorde | Skrillex / Kings of Leon / The xx |
| 2025 | Hozier / Luke Combs | Sabrina Carpenter / The Strokes | The Killers / John Summit |
| 2024 | Chris Stapleton | Dua Lipa | Tyler, the Creator |
| 2022 | Red Hot Chili Peppers | SZA / Paramore | Lil Nas X / The Chicks |
| 2019 | Guns N' Roses | Tame Impala / Billie Eilish | Childish Gambino / The Cure |
| 2018 | Paul McCartney / Metallica | Arctic Monkeys / Travis Scott | Childish Gambino / Odesza |
The 2025 edition drew approximately 75,000 attendees per day across both weekends. The Killers replaced Doja Cat as Sunday headliner after she withdrew to focus on her album release. Sabrina Carpenter brought out Shania Twain for a surprise duet of "That Don't Impress Me Much" during her Saturday headlining set. The Strokes returned to ACL for the first time since their 2010 headlining appearance.
The 2024 edition featured Chris Stapleton headlining both Fridays, with Willie Nelson joining him on stage for "Whiskey River" and "Bloody Mary Morning" during weekend two. Chappell Roan drew one of the largest crowds in ACL history for her Sunday sunset set, performing hits including "Good Luck, Babe" and "Pink Pony Club." Dua Lipa headlined both Saturdays in her ACL Fest debut, delivering a 100-minute set spanning her albums Future Nostalgia and Radical Optimism.
The 2018 edition remains one of the most ambitious in ACL history. Paul McCartney and Metallica both headlined for the first time, with McCartney delivering a 29-song set that included Beatles classics and Wings material. Arctic Monkeys and Travis Scott rounded out a lineup that also featured Odesza, The National, and Childish Gambino.
The ACL Fest YouTube channel has uploaded highlight recaps from past editions, including this overview of the 2017 festival:
Tickets and Practical Info
ACL offers several ticket tiers:
- General Admission (GA): Standard three-day pass for one weekend
- GA+: Includes express entry, dedicated lounge access, and complimentary drinks
- VIP: Premium viewing areas, air-conditioned lounges, and dedicated food and beverage service
- Platinum: All VIP perks plus on-stage viewing, dedicated concierge, and exclusive merchandise
Layaway plans are available at 50% down. Hotels near Zilker Park fill up quickly, so book accommodations months in advance. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is the closest major airport, about 20 minutes from the festival site.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
ACL is one of the few major US festivals that consistently books emerging artists alongside headliners. The festival's Austin roots mean it pays attention to Texas-based acts, and its nine stages give smaller artists real exposure to large crowds.
Getting an ACL slot can be a career accelerator. A strong set on a secondary stage can lead to booking agent interest, streaming playlist additions, and bigger festival offers. Read our music festival strategy guide for specific tactics on getting booked.
If you are based outside the US and want to play ACL, you will need a work visa. Our international touring guide covers visa requirements and logistics. Use our tour revenue calculator to model what an Austin run could earn.
Related Resources
- Music Festival Strategy: Get Booked and Make It Count
- Touring Internationally: Independent Artist Guide
- 21 Ways Musicians Can Earn Income
- Tour Revenue Calculator
- Streaming Royalty Calculator
- Official ACL Festival Website
Similar Festivals
- Lollapalooza - Multi-genre festival produced by C3 Presents, held in Chicago's Grant Park each August
- Coachella - Two-weekend music and arts festival in Indio, California, covering rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic
- Bonnaroo - Four-day multi-genre festival in Manchester, Tennessee, with camping and 150+ artists
- Outside Lands - Three-day music festival in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park with a focus on food and sustainability
