Sick New World 2026 returns bigger than ever. The comeback is bigger than ever. After the cancellation of the 2025 edition, the Sick New World festival is returning in 2026 — and not just in one city. The festival is expanding beyond the Las Vegas Festival Grounds with a brand-new event: Sick New World Texas. Mark your calendar: Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, TX. The festival maintains its cultural celebration of hard rock, nu-metal, goth, alternative, and heavy music — a gathering of the most passionate fans.
What is Sick New World 2026?
Sick New World 2026 is the return edition of the heavy-music festival featuring two epic dates — one in Las Vegas (April 25) and a brand-new Texas edition (October 24) — headlined by System of a Down, with a centerpiece thrash-metal celebration for Slayer’s 40th anniversary of Reign In Blood.
Sick New World 2026: The Comeback & Location Expansion
Setting the Stage
After the abrupt 2025 cancellation, organizers confirmed a full return in 2026. According to Loudwire, Sick New World will stage not one but two major festival dates next year.
Focus on Texas
For the first time ever, Sick New World expands into Texas. The inaugural Texas event is slated for Saturday, October 24, 2026 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. Consequence reported that organizers described this new location as the festival’s “most ambitious expansion yet.”
Genre Focus
The festival remains rooted in heavy music: hard rock, nu-metal, thrash, industrial, goth, and alternative. This genre-mix continues the original cultural vision of the festival, as confirmed by Wikipedia.
Headliners and the Historic Thrash Metal Celebration
Guaranteed Headliners
System of a Down is confirmed to headline both the Las Vegas and Texas dates in 2026. It’s a return of the band after leading the first two editions in 2023 and 2024.
The Major Texas Hook: Slayer’s 40th Anniversary
Thrash metal legends Slayer are scheduled to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their classic album Reign In Blood. The album, released on October 7, 1986 through Def Jam, marked the band’s first collaboration with Rick Rubin, helping define the sound of modern thrash metal. Kerrang! famously hailed it as “the heaviest album of all time.” The album’s controversial opening track, “Angel of Death,” referencing Josef Mengele, remains one of metal’s most discussed moments.
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Deep Dive: The Sick New World Texas Lineup
High-Profile Support
The Texas edition features a stellar roster of heavy music acts beyond the headliners — celebrating multiple sub-genres and generations. Consequence called the autumn Texas lineup “stacked and genre-spanning.”
Key Bands Performing (Texas Specific)
Confirmed acts for Fort Worth include Deftones, Evanescence, The Prodigy, Ministry, Marilyn Manson, Knocked Loose, AFI, Mastodon, and Power Trip. Other notable bands include Underoath, Clutch, Down, and Melvins. Additionally, the Las Vegas date (April 25) is headlined by System of a Down and Korn, showcasing the full scope of the 2026 return, per LouderSound.
Ticketing and Planning Logistics
Presale Details
Fans eager to attend must sign up for the official newsletter and SMS list at SickNewWorldFest.com/Texas to receive a presale access code. The presale begins Friday, October 24 at 10 a.m. CT, followed by a public on-sale for any remaining tickets the same day. Loudwire confirmed presale timing and process.
Enhanced Options
Layaway Plans will be available for all ticket types, allowing fans to split payments. Premium Tickets and Hotel Packages bundle festival access with perks like VIP viewing areas and priority entry, according to the official Sick New World event page.
Conclusion: Returning Strong After Setbacks
After the 2025 cancellation — which cited “unforeseen circumstances that we are unable to overcome” — Sick New World returns with renewed ambition. Despite volatility in the festival market, the two 2026 events underline the powerful fan demand for heavy music. Don’t miss the inaugural Sick New World Texas — sign up today to secure your spot for the next chapter in this epic festival saga.
Sources Referenced
- Loudwire – “Sick New World Announces Lineups for Two 2026 Festivals”
- Consequence – “Sick New World Fest Hits Vegas and Texas in 2026”
- Loudersound – “System Of A Down, Korn, Deftones, Slayer, Evanescence and more…”
- Blabbermouth – “System Of A Down to Headline 2026 Sick New World Editions”
- Wikipedia – “Sick New World Festival Overview”
