iHeartRadio
Music Festival

A History of Unforgettable Moments

The iHeartRadio Music Festival has been a fixture of the Las Vegas entertainment scene for over a decade, and its history reads like a highlight reel of modern music. Past headliners include Taylor Swift, U2, Madonna, Ariana Grande, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, and Coldplay. The 2020 edition featured Alicia Keys, Bon Jovi, BTS, Miley Cyrus, John Legend, and Usher. In 2021, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, and Weezer took the stage. Year after year, the festival attracts artists at the peak of their powers and gives them a platform to deliver something special.

What has made the festival endure is its commitment to surprise. One-of-a-kind collaborations, debut performances of new material, and unexpected guest appearances have become hallmarks of the event. Artists feed off the energy of sharing a bill with performers from entirely different genres, and that cross-pollination creates moments that simply cannot be replicated at a single-artist concert. The 2026 lineup — spanning pop, rock, hip-hop, country, and electronic music — sets the stage for another weekend of the unexpected.

The 2026 Lineup: Genre by Genre

Pop and R&B: Ed Sheeran brings his arena-tested catalog of global hits, while Mariah Carey delivers the vocal fireworks that have defined popular music for three decades. Tate McRae represents the next generation of pop stardom with her dance-driven performances, and Maroon 5 brings two decades of hits and festival-proven charisma to the Strip.

Hip-Hop and Rap: Jelly Roll, whose crossover appeal has made him one of the most talked-about artists in music, headlines alongside GloRilla, whose explosive energy and chart dominance have made her a festival staple. LL COOL J brings hip-hop royalty status and a catalog that spans the genre's entire history. BigXthaPlug adds heavyweight Texas rap to the bill.

Rock and Country: Bryan Adams and John Fogerty provide classic rock gravitas, while The Offspring and Sammy Hagar keep the guitar-driven energy high. Tim McGraw represents country music at its stadium-filling best, and Bailey Zimmerman brings the genre's new generation to the festival stage.

Electronic and Dance: Diplo and Justice round out the lineup with the kind of beat-driven, crowd-moving sets that turn an arena into a dance floor. Their presence ensures that the festival's late-night hours will be as high-energy as anything that comes before.

Planning Your Las Vegas Festival Weekend

The iHeartRadio Music Festival turns Las Vegas into a music lover's paradise for an entire weekend. Here's how to make the most of it:

1. Book accommodations early — Hotels on and near the Strip fill up quickly during festival weekend. Properties connected to T-Mobile Arena via The Park promenade (Park MGM, New York-New York) offer the most convenient access.
2. Arrive early on show nights — Doors typically open well before the first performance. Getting to your seats early lets you settle in and soak up the pre-show atmosphere.
3. Plan for two full evenings — Each night features a stacked lineup of performances that runs several hours. The two-night format means you'll experience the full breadth of the festival's programming.
4. Explore the surrounding area — T-Mobile Arena sits within The Park, an open-air dining and entertainment district with restaurants and bars that buzz with festival energy before and after each show.

Quick Answers

What is the iHeartRadio Music Festival? The iHeartRadio Music Festival is an annual two-night concert event held in Las Vegas featuring a diverse lineup of major artists across pop, rock, hip-hop, country, and electronic music. Produced by iHeartMedia, it is one of the most prestigious live music events in the United States and has featured virtually every major recording artist of the past decade.

What is T-Mobile Arena? T-Mobile Arena is a 20,000-seat entertainment venue located on the Las Vegas Strip between New York-New York and Park MGM. Opened in 2016, it hosts major concerts, sporting events, and award shows, and serves as the home arena for the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival?

The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival takes place on Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The two-night format features multiple artist performances each evening, with shows running several hours per night. Both nights are included in most ticket packages, giving attendees the full festival experience across both evenings.

Who is performing at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival?

The confirmed 2026 lineup includes Ed Sheeran, Mariah Carey, Jelly Roll, Maroon 5, Tim McGraw, Bryan Adams, GloRilla, Tate McRae, The Offspring, LL COOL J, Diplo, Justice, John Fogerty, Sammy Hagar, BigXthaPlug, and Bailey Zimmerman. The festival is hosted by Ryan Seacrest. Additional artists and surprise guests may be announced closer to the event, as the festival has a tradition of delivering unexpected collaborations and last-minute additions to the bill.

Where is the iHeartRadio Music Festival held?

The festival is held at T-Mobile Arena, located at 3780 Las Vegas Boulevard South on the Las Vegas Strip. The arena sits within The Park, an open-air dining and entertainment promenade between the New York-New York and Park MGM hotel-casinos. Its central Strip location makes it easily accessible from virtually any Las Vegas hotel, and the surrounding area offers extensive dining, nightlife, and entertainment options before and after each show.

How many people does T-Mobile Arena hold?

T-Mobile Arena has a seating capacity of approximately 20,000 for concert configurations. The venue features floor seating, lower bowl sections, club level seats, and upper bowl seating. Every section benefits from the arena's advanced sound engineering and massive video screens, ensuring a high-quality experience regardless of seat location. The compact bowl design keeps even the upper sections relatively close to the stage compared to larger stadium venues.

Is the iHeartRadio Music Festival televised?

Yes, the iHeartRadio Music Festival is broadcast on ABC and made available for streaming on Hulu the following day. However, the televised broadcast captures only a portion of the full experience. Being in the arena allows you to see every performance in its entirety, feel the crowd energy in real time, and potentially witness surprise moments and collaborations that may not make the final broadcast edit.

Can I buy tickets for just one night of the festival?

Ticket availability and configurations can vary by year. The iHeartRadio Music Festival is traditionally structured as a two-night event, and many ticket packages cover both evenings. Check our marketplace listings for the specific ticket options available for the 2026 festival, including any single-night options that may be offered. Two-night packages provide the most complete festival experience and access to every performer on the bill.

What should I wear to the iHeartRadio Music Festival?

The festival takes place inside the climate-controlled T-Mobile Arena, so temperature is not a major concern. Most attendees dress in stylish casual or concert attire appropriate for a high-profile Las Vegas event. Comfortable shoes are recommended since you may be standing, dancing, or moving between sections throughout the multi-hour show. The Las Vegas setting tends to inspire slightly more dressed-up looks than a typical outdoor festival.

Are there hotels within walking distance of T-Mobile Arena?

Yes, several major Las Vegas Strip hotels are within easy walking distance of T-Mobile Arena. Park MGM and New York-New York are directly adjacent to the venue via The Park promenade. Aria, Vdara, the Cosmopolitan, and MGM Grand are all within a short walk. The arena's central Strip location means that most major hotels between Mandalay Bay and the Bellagio are accessible on foot, and rideshare services can cover any additional distance in minutes.

What time do doors open at the iHeartRadio Music Festival?

Door times for the iHeartRadio Music Festival vary by night but typically open one to two hours before the first performance begins. Exact door times are confirmed closer to the event date and printed on tickets. Arriving early is recommended to clear security, find your seats, and enjoy the pre-show atmosphere inside the arena. The festival typically runs late into the evening, so plan accordingly for a full night of entertainment.

How is the iHeartRadio Music Festival different from other music festivals?

Unlike outdoor festivals spread across multiple stages over several days, the iHeartRadio Music Festival condenses its programming into two nights on a single indoor stage. Each artist performs a focused set showcasing their biggest material, and the single-stage format means you never have to choose between overlapping acts. The genre diversity is also exceptional — pop, rock, hip-hop, country, and electronic artists all share the same stage, creating a cross-genre experience that other festivals rarely attempt at this scale.

Are resale tickets for the iHeartRadio Music Festival legitimate?

When purchased through a reputable verified resale marketplace like ours, resale tickets are completely legitimate. All sellers on our platform are verified before they can list tickets, and every transaction includes buyer protection. The price displayed includes all fees with no hidden charges at checkout. Our marketplace has been connecting fans with authentic event tickets for over 20 years, and our transparent pricing model ensures you know exactly what you are paying before you complete your purchase.

Will there be food and drinks available inside T-Mobile Arena?

Yes, T-Mobile Arena offers extensive food and beverage options throughout the venue. Concession stands are located on every level, offering a range of options from traditional arena fare to premium dining experiences. Bars and beverage stations are positioned throughout the concourses for convenient access between performances. The surrounding Park promenade also features several restaurants that are popular pre-show dining destinations for festival attendees looking for a more relaxed meal before heading inside.