Hellfest 2026 takes place from 18 to 21 June in Clisson, western France — the 19th edition featuring 183 bands across 6 stages. 4-day passes (€349) have been sold out since July 2025 — official resale is open at tickets.hellfest.fr. Iron Maiden plays on Friday 19 June on Mainstage 1 (9pm–11:10pm), Megadeth on Saturday, and a 6-metre bronze statue of Ozzy Osbourne will be unveiled on 18 June. Getting there from the UK: fly from London Gatwick or Stansted to Nantes (1h25), then TER train to Clisson (20 min). Official campsite is free with all passes.
Clisson, 18 June 2026: 60,000 festivalgoers per day descend on the 127-hectare Hellfest Open Air site for the 19th time. Iron Maiden on their Run For Your Lives Tour, Megadeth on what may well be their final farewell, Alice Cooper still commanding a stage at 78, and a crowd of 72 nationalities united under one banner: metal. According to hellfest.fr, this edition marks the 20th anniversary of the first festival and promises 85 bands performing at Clisson for the first time. This guide gives you everything you need — travel from the UK included — to make the most of the experience, with or without a ticket.
1. Hellfest 2026 by the numbers: a machine unlike any other
19th edition — the essentials
Hellfest has become Europe’s premier metal festival by a considerable margin. According to infos-nantes.fr, the 2026 budget is estimated at €53 million — 90% self-funded through tickets, bars, food and merchandising. The 55,000 four-day passes sold out in minutes on 8 July 2025, generating a record 220,000 simultaneous connections, according to France 3 Pays de la Loire. The site covers 127 hectares (21 ha of concert space), with 35,000 parking spaces — larger than Disneyland Paris.
Key highlights
- 20th anniversary of the first festival (2006): 85 bands performing at Clisson for the very first time
- 72 nationalities represented, average age 39, 35% female festivalgoers in 2026
- Free official campsite included with all passes, 5,000 volunteers on site
- UK fans: direct flights from London to Nantes from around £40 return (Ryanair/easyJet)
2. Day-by-day programme: what you can’t miss
Thursday 18 June — unveiling of the Ozzy statue
Thursday opens with an unprecedented moment in festival history: the unveiling of a six-metre bronze statue of Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away on 22 July 2025 aged 76. According to Consequence, sculptor Philippe Pasqua and the Osbourne family (Sharon, Kelly, Jack) will be present. The tradition began in 2022 with the Lemmy Kilmister (Motörhead) statue, into which a portion of his ashes was cast. On the musical side: Deep Purple open the evening on Mainstage 2 (8pm–9:15pm) with Ian Gillan (80) and the classics « Smoke on the Water » and « Highway Star », followed by Alice Cooper (10:30pm–11:30pm) bringing 50 years of shock rock. Bring Me The Horizon close out the night on Mainstage 1 (11:35pm–12:50am).
Thursday highlights
- Ozzy statue unveiling ceremony (Hellcity entrance, afternoon) — don’t miss it
- Alice Cooper: guillotine, demonic nurse, « School’s Out » — the full theatrical show
- Temple: SKÁLD (10:10pm) and Borknagar for folk/viking metal devotees
- Warzone: Social Distortion (12:30am) and All Time Low (10:10pm)
Friday 19 June — Iron Maiden, the night of all nights
Friday 19 June is the night every metalhead puts first in the diary. Iron Maiden take to Mainstage 1 at 9pm for 2 hours 10 minutes as part of their Run For Your Lives World Tour — celebrating 50 years of the band Steve Harris founded in London in 1975. According to ironmaiden.com, the setlist draws heavily from the first nine albums (1980–1992): « Murders in the Rue Morgue », « The Number of the Beast », « Powerslave », « Rime of the Ancient Mariner »… Long-serving drummer Nicko McBrain, who retired in December 2024 after 44 years, is replaced by Simon Dawson (British Lion). Meanwhile on Mainstage 2, Opeth deliver a progressive set (8pm–9:45pm) before Sabaton take over (11:15pm–12:45am). Also note: The Dillinger Escape Plan (Warzone, 12:55am) — a cult reunion since their 2017 split — and an exclusive Ultra Vomit set closing Mainstage 1 (12:50am–2am).
Friday highlights
- Iron Maiden without Nicko McBrain — world premiere with Simon Dawson at Clisson
- Setlist for the ages: classics from the first nine albums, rarely played together
- Sortilège (1:35pm): 1980s French heavy metal — a rare Clisson appearance
- Ultra Vomit (12:50am): Nantes-based band on MS1, returning after a 2025 health scare
Saturday 20 June — Megadeth and impossible choices
Saturday is known among regulars as « the day of impossible choices ». Megadeth hit Mainstage 2 at 9:50pm for their Global Farewell Tour — supposedly the final live chapter from Dave Mustaine, 43 years after founding the band in 1983. According to Loudwire, the setlist is built around the essential classics: « Peace Sells », « Holy Wars… The Punishment Due », « Hangar 18 », « Symphony of Destruction », « Sweating Bullets » — plus two tracks from the 2025 self-titled album. Mainstage 1 runs in parallel with A Perfect Circle (8:35pm–10:05pm, Maynard James Keenan’s supergroup), then Limp Bizkit (11:10pm–12:40am) in a highly anticipated Clisson return. On the Altar: Carcass (9:40pm); on the Temple: Behemoth (12:55am); on the Valley: the hour of Cult of Luna and Amenra.
Saturday highlights
- Megadeth Farewell Tour: likely your last chance to see them live in Europe
- Cavalera « Chaos A.D. » (5:45pm MS2): Max & Igor perform the full 1993 album
- Tom Morello (6:35pm MS1): Rage Against The Machine medleys and politically charged set
- World Cup 2026: the Metal Corner screens matches between concerts
Sunday 21 June — Punk rock day and the final fireworks
Sunday 21 June coincides with France’s Fête de la Musique national music day and shapes up as the festival’s punk rock day. According to ObjectifLive, Mainstage 1 runs from The Ataris, Pennywise (4:50pm), Rise Against (6:40pm), The Hives (8:50pm) before the absolute finale with The Offspring (11:15pm–12:30am). The most eagerly anticipated Valley moment: Acid Bath (8:50pm), making their first tour dates since the tragic death of bassist Audie Pitre in 1997 — a reunion 28 years in the making. Phil Anselmo plays twice on Sunday: with Down on the Valley (11:15pm) and with his black metal project Scour on the Temple. The evening closes with Hellfest’s traditional fireworks display, visible from across the entire campsite.
Sunday highlights
- Acid Bath: 28-year reunion, one of the most anticipated reformations in festival history
- Phil Anselmo double set: Down (Valley 11:15pm) + Scour (Temple, time TBC)
- The Hives: explosive Swedish garage rock — one of the most energetic live acts at the festival
- Closing fireworks: a Hellfest tradition since the earliest editions
3. Getting to Clisson from the UK: all your options
All travel options from the UK
The quickest option from the UK is to fly directly to Nantes Atlantique (NTE): Ryanair and easyJet both operate direct routes from London Gatwick and London Stansted, with journey times around 1 hour 25 minutes. June flights start from around £40–£70 return if booked early. Alternatively, you can take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris (2h15), then a TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Nantes (2h15), for a total of roughly 6h52 including transfers — a scenic and comfortable option. Once in Nantes, the TER regional train to Clisson takes just 20 minutes. According to the official Hellfest travel info, free shuttle buses run between Clisson station and the site 24 hours a day from 17 to 22 June. For those who prefer an organised trip, Argon Events / OnTours.co.uk offer UK coach packages (departing from 33 British cities including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh) including ferry crossings via Dover–Calais from £779. By car: access is via the A87 from Paris/Nantes/Angers to the West Car Park (Gorges, 12,000 spaces), with 3,200 secure, free cycle parking spaces also available on site.
Travel highlights
- Direct flights London–Nantes (Ryanair/easyJet): from ~£40 return, 1h25 flight time
- Eurostar + TGV: London St Pancras → Nantes in ~6h52, a comfortable option for night arrivals
- UK coach packages from £779 (Argon Events / OnTours): all-in from 33 British cities
- PMR/disabled parking « Arlekino » within 5 minutes’ walk of the entrance, on medical certificate
4. Accommodation: free campsite or hotel in Nantes
Accommodation options for every budget
According to hellfest.fr, the official campsite is included free of charge with all passes, open from 17 to 22 June. It has toilets, showers, water points, recycling stations and first aid posts. The premium Easy Camp is sold out; the DEV’HIL campsite (15 minutes on foot) offers pitches at €25/night/person (with brunch option at €14), and Hellfest Farm Camp (La Ferme d’Escouflant) is available 17–22 June. For those wanting comfort: Clisson has the Villa Saint Antoine hotel 10 minutes’ walk away, but availability is virtually nil for June 2026. Nantes, 30 km away (20 minutes by TER train), offers the widest hotel choice — the B&B Hotel Nantes Rezé is well-served by public transport. Airbnb rentals within a 15 km radius of Clisson are another option, but must be booked without delay. Hotels within 30 km are essentially fully booked.
Accommodation highlights
- Free official campsite: the simplest solution, right in the heart of the action
- Essential kit: blackout tent (heat), 5°C sleeping bag, inflatable sleeping mat
- Nantes + TER = hotel comfort + 20-minute festival access
- Leclerc Clisson within walking distance — avoids carrying four days of supplies
5. Clisson and the Muscadet wine country: beyond the festival
Clisson « the Italian town » and its surroundings
Clisson is far more than a festival venue. According to Destination Vignoble Nantais, this town of 7,500 people nicknamed « Clisson l’italienne » owes its surprising architecture to sculptor François-Frédéric Lemot, who in the 19th century introduced an aesthetic inspired by central Italy. The medieval castle (12th–17th century, ruined during the Vendée Wars) spreads across 4 hectares with views over the Sèvre Nantaise river. The Garenne Lemot park — a 19th-century villa with Tuscan flair — merits a full morning. The Muscadet vineyards stretch away in every direction around the town, a dream for lovers of crisp, dry white wines. The Hellfest site itself is visitable outside the build-up period (generally October–March): an open-air art museum with monumental Corten steel sculptures, including the Lemmy Kilmister statue inaugurated in 2022. Guided « Hellfest Essentials » tours are run by the local tourist office throughout the year.
Clisson highlights
- Château de Clisson: medieval ruins across 4 hectares with river views — free entry
- Garenne Lemot park: Tuscan-inspired 19th-century park with sculptures and fountains
- Muscadet wine tasting: local producers around Clisson, visits by appointment
- Hellfest site out-of-season: monumental sculptures and metal history on display
Practical information for the festival
72 nationalities at Hellfest. Travelling from the UK? A French eSIM from Airalo keeps you connected throughout the festival without roaming charges. Compatible with iPhone 12+ and recent Android devices.
From €5 / 7 daysCancellation, lost baggage, medical assistance: global coverage from $56/4 weeks. Ideal for UK festival-goers travelling to France for Hellfest. 10% off via our link.
From $56 / 4 weeksFrequently asked questions about Hellfest 2026
Is Hellfest 2026 sold out and how can I get tickets?
Yes, all 4-day passes (€349, 55,000 units) and day tickets have been sold out since 8 July 2025. The only official route is resale through tickets.hellfest.fr via Weezevent (mandatory waitlist sign-up). Beware of unofficial resellers: scams are common and fake tickets are non-refundable. Source: hellfest.fr.
Which day and time does Iron Maiden play at Hellfest 2026?
Iron Maiden play on Friday 19 June 2026 on Mainstage 1, from 9pm to 11:10pm. The band celebrate their 50th anniversary as part of the Run For Your Lives World Tour, with a setlist drawn from the first nine albums (1980–1992). Long-serving drummer Nicko McBrain is replaced by Simon Dawson. Source: Sortiraparis.
Which day does Megadeth play at Hellfest 2026?
Megadeth play on Saturday 20 June 2026 on Mainstage 2, from 9:50pm to 11:10pm, as part of their Global Farewell Tour. The expected setlist includes classics « Peace Sells », « Holy Wars », « Hangar 18 », « Symphony of Destruction » and two tracks from the 2025 self-titled album. Source: Sortiraparis.
How do I get to Hellfest from the UK?
The quickest route from the UK is to fly from London Gatwick or Stansted directly to Nantes Atlantique (NTE) with Ryanair or easyJet (1h25, from ~£40 return), then take the TER regional train from Nantes to Clisson (20 min). Alternatively, Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris (2h15), then TGV Paris Montparnasse to Nantes (2h15) totals around 6h52. Free shuttles run between Clisson station and the festival site 24 hours a day from 17 to 22 June. UK coach packages (from £779, departing 33 cities) are available from Argon Events / OnTours.co.uk. Source: hellfest.fr.
Is camping free at Hellfest 2026?
Yes, the official campsite is free with all passes (open 17–22 June). It has toilets, showers, water points, recycling stations and first aid posts. The premium Easy Camp is sold out. Paid alternatives exist: DEV’HIL at €25/night (15 min on foot), Hellfest Farm Camp (La Ferme d’Escouflant). Source: hellfest.fr.
What is Hellfest Le Off 2026?
Hellfest Le Off takes place on 16 and 17 June 2026 in the Clisson Leclerc car park — free entry, no festival pass needed. The programme includes 31 concerts on 2 stages: tribute acts (Cowboys From Jam, Lovedrive, Soldier Side) and original bands. On 17 June, a « Kids Off » session is tailored for children (Disney rock, rock puppet shows). Source: Metalzone.
What is the total budget for attending Hellfest 2026 from the UK?
Excluding the ticket (€349 for 4 days, sold out): return flights from London to Nantes from ~£40, or Eurostar + TGV from ~£100 return; accommodation is €0 (free official campsite included) to €70–180/night for a hotel in Nantes; food and drink on site roughly €100–200 over 4 days (beer from €3.50 for 25cl, €5.50 for 60cl); merchandise varies. All-in budget estimate excluding ticket: approximately £200–600 per person depending on travel choice. Sources: CreditNews, OnTours.co.uk.
The Ozzy Osbourne statue at Hellfest 2026: who made it and where will it be?
The six-metre bronze statue of Ozzy Osbourne (who passed away on 22 July 2025) was sculpted by Philippe Pasqua. It will be unveiled on 18 June 2026 at the Hellcity entrance in the presence of Sharon Osbourne and the family. It joins the Lemmy Kilmister (Motörhead) statue inaugurated in 2022 by Caroline Brisset, into which a portion of his ashes was cast. Source: Consequence.
Sources
- hellfest.fr — Official 2026 lineup — Full programme, dates and artists
- Sortiraparis — Full running order by day and stage — Detailed timings
- ObjectifLive — Running order and clashes to watch out for — Editorial analysis
- Consequence — Ozzy Osbourne statue at Hellfest — Philippe Pasqua, Sharon Osbourne
- Iron Maiden official — Run For Your Lives Tour at Hellfest — Band announcement
- Loudwire — Megadeth Global Farewell Tour 2026 — Setlist and context
- France 3 Pays de la Loire — 55,000 passes sold in minutes — Sell-out ticketing
- hellfest.fr — Official travel information — TER, parking, official shuttles
- hellfest.fr — Official free campsite — Facilities and dates
- Metalzone — Hellfest Le Off 2026 — Free programme 16–17 June
- Destination Vignoble Nantais — Clisson l’italienne — Tourism and heritage
- InfosNantes — Hellfest key statistics — Budget, attendance, economy
- Argon Events / OnTours — UK coach packages to Hellfest 2026 — From 33 British cities from £779
- Ryanair — London to Nantes direct flights — From ~£40 return
- Eurostar — London to Nantes by rail — St Pancras → Paris → Nantes
- Metal Injection — Acid Bath reunion 2026 — 28-year reformation
Research conducted on 14 May 2026.
Plan your Hellfest 2026 adventure
Hellfest is far more than a festival: it’s a complete travel experience, combining Clisson’s medieval heritage, Muscadet wine country and four nights of unforgettable concerts. Browse all our guides for planning your stay in western France.
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