Reading & Leeds Festival 2026: Charli XCX, Fontaines D.C., and RAYE Among Huge Headliners

Reading & Leeds 2026: Charli XCX, RAYE and Florence + the Machine Among Headliners

Reading & Leeds Festival has unveiled its first wave of headliners for 2026, with Charli XCX, RAYE and Florence + the Machine confirmed as three of the six main acts. They will be joined by Fontaines D.C., Dave and the electronic duo Chase & Status for the Bank Holiday weekend run from August 27–30, 2026.

The twin-site festival — staged simultaneously at Richfield Avenue in Reading and Bramham Park in Leeds — also revealed early additions to the bill including SOMBR, Skepta and Geese. Kasabian will make history as Leeds’ first-ever Thursday headliner on the main stage; recent editions have typically featured two headliners per day across Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Confirmed performers (initial announcement)

• Charli XCX
• RAYE
• Florence + the Machine
• Fontaines D.C.
• Dave
• Chase & Status
• SOMBR
• Skepta
• Geese
• Kasabian (Leeds — Thursday headline)
• Role Model
• JADE
• Josh Baker
• Kneecap
• Kettama
• Chris Stussy (Reading only)
• Skye Newman
• Adéla
• Keo

A PayPal presale began on December 1, 2025, with an additional presale scheduled for December 2, 2025, and general ticket sales set to open on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. For official ticketing and festival information, visit the event website.

Florence + the Machine and Dave have both headlined Reading & Leeds previously — Florence in 2012 and Dave in 2022 — while the remaining headliners have been frequent presences at the festival over recent years. The announcement marks Fontaines D.C.’s first appearance since completing their Romance tour in August 2025 and is listed as their only U.K. festival date for 2026. Charli XCX’s slot will be her sole U.K. festival performance and follows the release of her soundtrack LP for Wuthering Heights, due in February 2026.

“I think it’s a sign for festivals to be brave and innovative with bookings,” festival director Melvin Benn said, reflecting on recent headline choices. “Giving emerging artists headline platforms creates moments that only those present can witness.”

Organizers have indicated that more artists will be announced in the coming weeks as the festival builds its full schedule for both Reading and Leeds.

For the latest line-up updates and ticketing details, check the official Reading & Leeds website: readingfestival.com.

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