Key Takeaways for ACL 2026 Weekend One
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ACL 2026 Weekend One (Oct 2–4) leans into pop and EDM, with exclusive Friday headliner Skrillex alongside Charli xcx, Lorde, and RÜFÜS DU SOL.
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Three OnesToWatch artists — Izzy Escobar, Lorde, and Lauren Sanderson — appear across different stages, underscoring the festival’s role in long-term artist development.
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The BMI Stage continues as a launchpad for emerging talent, with Izzy Escobar (Friday) and Lauren Sanderson (Sunday) stepping into a slot that has historically preceded mainstream breakthroughs.
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Weekend One exclusives such as Skrillex, Brandon Flowers, Palace, Cannons, and Underscores make this weekend appealing for fans who want performances unavailable at Weekend Two.
Tickets and Pricing for ACL 2026 Weekend One
The official ACL Fest ticket page directs to Front Gate Tickets for Weekend One purchases. Weekend One runs October 2–4, 2026, at Zilker Park in Austin, TX.
Published starting prices for ACL Fest 2026 vary by tier. One-day General Admission starts at $170, and three-day General Admission starts at $390, with tiered pricing that increased as inventory sold. By May 2026, Weekend One GA had sold out while Weekend Two GA started at $375. Three-day GA+ starts at $775 for both weekends, according to the official ACL Festival ticket page. Three-day VIP tickets run $1,850 for Weekend One and $1,760 for Weekend Two. One-day Platinum starts at $2,210, and three-day Platinum tickets start at $5,800 for Weekend One and $5,670 for Weekend Two. The festival is cashless, and free water stations are available with General Admission.
Friday, Oct. 2 Lineup: Charli xcx, Skrillex, and BMI Stage Openers
Friday, October 2 at ACL Weekend One 2026 features 29 acts, including Charli xcx, Skrillex, Turnstile, Labrinth, The Chainsmokers, and Leon Thomas. Charli xcx and Skrillex close the night as dueling headliners. Skrillex appears only on Friday of Weekend One and does not perform during Weekend Two. The City of Austin event listing shows Friday running from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Zilker Park, with exact entrance hours to be confirmed closer to the festival.
Headliners & Major Acts:
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Charli xcx — Headlines the American Express Stage on both Fridays, October 2 and October 9, beginning at 8:40 PM.
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Skrillex — Weekend One-exclusive headliner on the T-Mobile Stage at 8:15 PM. His 8:15 PM set on Friday, October 2 directly overlaps with Charli xcx’s 8:40 PM set.
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Turnstile — T-Mobile Stage, 6:15–7:15 PM.
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Labrinth — American Express Stage, 6:30–7:30 PM.
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The Chainsmokers — Snapchat Stage, 7:30–8:30 PM, returning to ACL a decade after their first appearance.
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Leon Thomas — Miller Lite Stage, 7:15–8:15 PM.
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Brandon Flowers — Weekend One-exclusive, playing a rare solo set.
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Amyl and the Sniffers, Steve Aoki, LP, Paris Paloma, CMAT, Rusowsky — Key undercard acts across stages.
Weekend One-Only Performers on Friday:
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Brandon Flowers, Rebecca Black, and Asleep at the Wheel appear only during Weekend One.
BMI Stage — Friday, Oct. 2:
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Elle Coves — 1:45–2:30 PM
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Izzy Escobar — 3:30–4:15 PM
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Grocery Bag — 5:15–6:15 PM
OnesToWatch Spotlight: Izzy Escobar (BMI Stage, 3:30–4:15 PM)
Izzy Escobar plays the BMI Stage on Friday from 3:30 to 4:15 PM, and her 2026 release slate shows why this slot carries weight. She released “Evergreen Avenue” for the The Devil Wears Prada 2 soundtrack and “Hate to Be the One,” written by GRAMMY-winning songwriter Diane Warren, for Season 5 of Hacks. She also recorded “Hotshot” as an official FIFA World Cup campaign song with Extra Gum. These sync placements signal a songwriter already working at a commercial level beyond her current stage size. The BMI Stage appearance gives her a chance to turn that catalog momentum into a larger live following.
Also on Friday’s BMI Stage: Elle Coves, born in Germany to Spanish parents and raised in Ireland, released her debut EP Selfishly Inclined in March 2024 and has toured with Niall Horan, Lewis Capaldi, and Del Water Gap. Her single “Peace” reached 1 million streams within 10 days. Austin psych-garage quartet Grocery Bag issued the EP DEADVOLT in 2026 and earned a personal invitation to perform with Billy Idol in September 2026.
Saturday, Oct. 3 Lineup: Lorde, RÜFÜS DU SOL, and Emerging Voices
Saturday, October 3 features 30 acts, headlined by RÜFÜS DU SOL and Lorde. ACL’s official FAQ lists Saturday gates opening at 11:00 AM, with festival hours running 11 AM to 9 PM.
Headliners & Major Acts:
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Lorde — T-Mobile Stage headliner, 8:15 PM.
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RÜFÜS DU SOL — American Express Stage headliner, 8:30 PM.
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Bleachers — 6:15 PM set on Saturday, October 3 at Zilker Park.
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Lola Young — Opens at 12:00 PM on Saturday, October 3.
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Young Miko — 4:30 PM.
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Lykke Li — 7:30 PM on Saturday, October 3.
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Levity — 7:15 PM as part of a Saturday lineup that repeats across both weekends.
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Suki Waterhouse, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Balu Brigada, Snow Strippers, Ryan Beatty, Finn Wolfhard, Skye Newman, fakemink — Notable undercard acts.
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Palace — Weekend One-exclusive act on the Saturday bill, even as most of Saturday’s lineup repeats across weekends.
BMI Stage — Saturday, Oct. 3:
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FIGHTMASTER — 12:45–1:15 PM, per BMI’s official ACL 2026 page.
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Emma Ogier — 1:45–2:30 PM
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Coleman Jennings — 3:30–4:15 PM
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Fai Laci — 5:15–6:15 PM
OnesToWatch Spotlight: Lorde (T-Mobile Stage Headliner, 8:15 PM)
Lorde headlines Saturday night at ACL Weekend One, sharing the closing window with RÜFÜS DU SOL in a direct scheduling conflict. Her path from teenage debut to global cultural presence mirrors the kind of long-view artist story that OnesToWatch tracks from early stages. Her 2026 headliner slot at ACL functions as another chapter in a decade-plus career defined by consistent artistic identity.
Also on Saturday’s BMI Stage: FIGHTMASTER, the solo project of nonbinary artist E.R. Fightmaster, introduces debut full-length Tolerance, which blends pop immediacy with rock instrumentation. Texas native Coleman Jennings drew comparisons to Willie Nelson and Townes Van Zandt with his 2024 EP Wildflowers & Tears and followed it with debut album Lead You Home, produced by GRAMMY winner Dave Cobb. Boston quintet Fai Laci released debut album Elephant in the Room, co-written with Dan Auerbach and Daniel Tashian and recorded at Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound Studios in Nashville.
Sunday, Oct. 4 Lineup: Twenty One Pilots, The xx, and BMI Closers
Sunday, October 4 features 29 acts, headlined by Twenty One Pilots and The xx. Gates open at 11:00 AM, with Sunday hours listed as 11 AM to 9 PM.
Headliners & Major Acts:
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Twenty One Pilots — American Express Stage headliner at 8:30 PM, performing opposite The xx.
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The xx — T-Mobile Stage headliner at 8:30 PM, overlapping with Twenty One Pilots.
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Geese — 6:30 PM set that shares the time slot with Sofi Tukker.
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SOFI TUKKER — 6:30 PM.
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The War on Drugs — 7:30 PM.
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Parcels — 7:30 PM.
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Blood Orange — 7:30 PM, according to the released schedule.
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Audrey Hobert, Saint Motel, Claire Rosinkranz, Noga Erez, Max McNown, Fcukers — Additional undercard acts.
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Cannons, Underscores — Weekend One-exclusive artists on the Sunday lineup.
BMI Stage — Sunday, Oct. 4:
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RUBIO — 12:45–1:15 PM
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Aaron Rowe — 2:00–2:45 PM
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Fancy Hagood — 3:30–4:15 PM, per BMI’s official schedule.
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Lauren Sanderson — 5:30–6:30 PM, closing the BMI Stage for Weekend One.
OnesToWatch Spotlight: Lauren Sanderson (BMI Stage, 5:30–6:30 PM)
Lauren Sanderson closes the BMI Stage on Sunday from 5:30 to 6:30 PM, arriving at ACL after a busy 2026. She released her album LAUREN in May and collaborated with Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst on “COME SAY SUM.” A surprise appearance with Limp Bizkit at Download Festival preceded her run as an opener for the band in fall 2026. The ACL BMI slot extends that momentum into the U.S. festival circuit and positions her in front of a cross-genre crowd.
Also on Sunday’s BMI Stage: RUBIO, the project of Chilean songwriter, composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Fran Straube, has earned a Latin GRAMMY nomination, an NPR Tiny Desk performance, and praise from Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and Billboard. She also composed the soundtrack for International Emmy Award-winning film La Caída. Dublin singer-songwriter Aaron Rowe spent nearly 13 years gigging five nights a week before wider recognition, supporting David Gray at Dublin’s 3Arena before releasing any music and later joining Dermot Kennedy in Boston to sing “The Parting Glass” for 20,000 people. Fancy Hagood, who moved to Nashville at 17 to pursue a career as an openly queer country artist, released the album American Spirit and now enters a 2026 chapter that blends bluegrass and roots textures with pop melodies after opening UK dates for CMAT.
Additional Weekend One Highlights and BMI Stage Overview
Weekend One includes several artists who do not appear during Weekend Two. Skrillex headlines only on Friday, October 2. Brandon Flowers performs a rare solo set on Friday of Weekend One. Cannons and Underscores appear exclusively on Sunday of Weekend One. Rebecca Black and Asleep at the Wheel are also Weekend One-only acts. Palace joins the Saturday lineup as another Weekend One-exclusive artist.
Across the weekend, the BMI Stage concentrates emerging talent. BMI lists 22 affiliated artists on the stage across both ACL weekends. Weekend One’s roster includes Elle Coves, Grocery Bag, FIGHTMASTER, Emma Ogier, Coleman Jennings, Fai Laci, RUBIO, Aaron Rowe, Fancy Hagood, Lauren Sanderson, and Izzy Escobar.
Patterns, Themes, and Artist Discovery
ACL 2026 Weekend One tilts toward pop and electronic dance music, anchored by Skrillex as an exclusive electronic headliner and Charli xcx’s brat-pop and EDM-forward Friday set. Weekend Two opens with Kings of Leon as a rock-leaning exclusive headliner alongside Charli xcx. Fans who favor heavier or more electronic sounds will likely find Weekend One more aligned with their tastes.
The BMI Stage has a long record as a career springboard, with alumni such as Ryan Bingham (2008), Alessia Cara (2015), Gary Clark Jr. (2011), Luke Combs (2017), Khruangbin (2016), Miranda Lambert (2003), Maren Morris (2016), and Billy Strings (2019). Izzy Escobar and Lauren Sanderson join that lineage in 2026, which places their sets in a context that has often anticipated future headliners.
Official late-night aftershows at venues such as Stubb’s and Emo’s typically cluster more heavily around Weekend One, giving attendees additional chances to see artists in club settings.
For deeper context on rising artists across genres, explore OnesToWatch for in-depth coverage of emerging talent, and review OnesToWatch’s 2026 Top 30 Artists To Watch to map the broader landscape around this year’s ACL lineup.
Check Current ACL 2026 Pricing
Planning Your Weekend One Schedule
The full ACL 2026 schedule went live on August 17, 2026 and is available through the official ACL Fest website and the Festiverse app. Festiverse serves as the official ACL app and provides the schedule and festival map. Download it before you arrive to save time at the gates.
Headliner conflicts shape every night of Weekend One. Friday pits Skrillex against Charli xcx. Saturday forces a choice between Lorde and RÜFÜS DU SOL. Sunday closes with Twenty One Pilots and The xx performing at the same time. Plan your route between the American Express and T-Mobile stages early so you can move quickly once sets end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Are the Headliners for ACL 2026 Weekend One?
Weekend One headliners are Charli xcx and Skrillex on Friday, October 2; RÜFÜS DU SOL and Lorde on Saturday, October 3; and Twenty One Pilots and The xx on Sunday, October 4. Skrillex appears only during Weekend One, while Kings of Leon take the Friday headliner slot on Weekend Two.
Which Artists Perform Only at ACL Weekend One?
Weekend One-exclusive artists include Skrillex, Brandon Flowers, Rebecca Black, Asleep at the Wheel, Palace, Cannons, and Underscores. On the BMI Stage, Weekend One-only performers include Elle Coves, Izzy Escobar, Grocery Bag, FIGHTMASTER, Emma Ogier, Coleman Jennings, Fai Laci, RUBIO, Aaron Rowe, Fancy Hagood, and Lauren Sanderson.
What Are the Set Times for Izzy Escobar and Lauren Sanderson?
Izzy Escobar performs on the BMI Stage on Friday, October 2, from 3:30 to 4:15 PM. Lauren Sanderson performs on the BMI Stage on Sunday, October 4, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. Both sets are part of Weekend One at Zilker Park in Austin, TX.
What Is the Bag Policy and Are There Re-Entry Rules at ACL Fest 2026?
Clutches or fanny packs measuring 6″ × 9″ or smaller with one pocket do not need to be clear. Larger bags must be clear and smaller than 12″ × 6″ × 12″. Small empty hydration packs are allowed without being clear, and every bag is searched. Attendees may re-enter the festival two additional times per day after first entry, with a wristband scan and security check each time.
Where Can I Buy Tickets for ACL 2026 Weekend One?
Tickets for Austin City Limits Music Festival Weekend One (October 2–4, 2026, at Zilker Park in Austin, TX) are available through the official ACL ticket link. Starting prices include one-day General Admission from $170 and three-day General Admission from $390. The festival is cashless, and children 8 and under receive free General Admission with a ticketed adult, limited to two children per adult.
Purchase ACL Weekend One Tickets
For more context on emerging artists across the lineup, explore OnesToWatch and dive into the 2026 Top 30 Artists To Watch to connect ACL sets with the broader next-wave landscape.