Although no official announcement has been made, it looks like the Sick New World festival is gearing up for a 2026 comeback—and the date may have just slipped out.
According to a newly surfaced press application, next year’s edition of the nu-metal and alt-rock gathering is slated for April 25, 2026. ThePRP was first to spot the leak, having viewed the application firsthand. Adding fuel to the fire, a support page on the festival’s own website appears to confirm that the event will once again take place at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds in Las Vegas, NV.
As of now, no lineup has been confirmed. However, speculation is already swirling around a potential return from SYSTEM OF A DOWN, who headlined previous editions. Frontman Serj Tankian reportedly hinted at the band’s involvement during a fan meet & greet earlier this year.
The festival, which launched with major success in 2023 and 2024, hit a snag in late 2024 when its 2025 edition was abruptly canceled. Reports pointed to sluggish ticket sales and an overambitious lineup that included rumored $5 million guarantees for METALLICA and LINKIN PARK, making the financial risk too steep without a near-instant sellout.
With a new date now in the wild and fans eager for a rebound, all eyes are on what the 2026 edition will bring—and whether it can recapture the chaotic magic that made its debut years so memorable.
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.