iHeartMedia announced the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival lineup on June 2. The two-night event hits T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on September 18 and 19.
What We Know: BTS, Cardi B, Kenny Chesney, Lainey Wilson, and Snoop Dogg headline the festival. Benson Boone, Goo Goo Dolls, Major Lazer, Muse, Weezer, and Zara Larsson round out the announced bill. Ryan Seacrest returns as host. Additional artists are still to be announced ahead of the September dates.
What’s at Stake: This festival is one of iHeart’s most visible annual programming investments. The lineup spans CHR, country, hip-hop, rock, and dance — a direct reflection of iHeart’s full station portfolio. Capital One returns as presenting sponsor, with Audible, Burlington, Hyundai, and Oreo also on board. Live broadcasts will reach more than 150 markets nationwide.
What Remains Unclear: The full lineup isn’t set yet, so marquee additions could still shift the story. Night-by-night artist assignments haven’t been revealed. It’s also unclear whether the Disney+ and Hulu livestream will carry the full performance or an edited broadcast window.
What It Means: This lineup signals iHeart is playing offense in the live events space. The genre diversity isn’t accidental — it protects every format cluster iHeart operates. BTS’s return from military hiatus adds genuine global draw. For radio programmers, this is a content engine for the brand.
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David Hill serves as a Music Radio Editor, Columnist and Features writer for Barrett Media. A radio lifer with more than 30 years behind the mic, in the control room, and in the program director’s chair, David’s career spans influential stops at brands such as WIYY 98 Rock, WBAL-AM, and 99X. He has worked across multiple formats and ownership groups, including iHeartMedia and Cumulus Media, developing talent, breaking music, and navigating every major industry shift from diary to PPM and terrestrial dominance to streaming disruption. When he’s not writing or analyzing the industry, Dave runs The Tune Farm, a marketing firm built to help artists and brands grow audience the same way great radio always has—by creating connection, not just impressions. He can be reached at David@BarrettMedia.com.
