SYSTEM OF A DOWN are set to return as the headliners for the 2026 edition of the highly anticipated Sick New World festival. The announcement was confirmed by frontman Serj Tankian during a recent signing event, with video footage capturing Tankian confirming the band’s participation in next year’s festival.
The Armenian-American multi-platinum band previously headlined the first two editions of the festival, but the event ran into issues this year, leaving fans eager for news of its return. Teases for the 2026 festival were spotted during SYSTEM OF A DOWN’s summer headlining shows, and their connection to the event runs deep through longtime management company Velvet Hammer. Velvet Hammer CEO and owner David “Beno” Benveniste is also a co-founder of Sick New World, further cementing the band’s ties to the festival.
The news of the band’s return had been anticipated for some time. Drummer John Dolmayan had already hinted back in 2024 that the festival would make a comeback, suggesting that plans for the band to headline next year have been in motion for a while. While the festival has traditionally been held in Las Vegas, NV, around April, official dates for the 2026 edition are yet to be announced.
In addition to their festival appearance, SYSTEM OF A DOWN will also embark on a major European tour in 2026, sharing stages with QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE and a newly reunited ACID BATH. This stadium tour is shaping up to be one of the biggest events of the summer.
European Tour Dates 2026:
- June 29 – Stockholm, Sweden – Strawberry Arena
- July 2 – Paris, France – Stade de France (original date)
- July 4 – Paris, France – Stade de France (added date)
- July 6 – Milan, Italy – Ippodromo Snai La Maura
- July 8 – Berlin, Germany – Olympiastadion Berlin
- July 10 – Düsseldorf, Germany – Open Air Park Düsseldorf
- July 13 – London, United Kingdom – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (original date)
- July 15 – London, United Kingdom – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (added date)
- July 18 – Warsaw, Poland – PGE Narodowy (original date)
- July 19 – Warsaw, Poland – PGE Narodowy (added date)
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