Stray Kids are poised to achieve a milestone that few artists ever reach: headlining Rock in Rio 2026, one of the most prestigious and iconic music festivals in the world. This achievement not only marks a first for a K-pop group but firmly positions the eight-member boy band among the legends who have defined music history — artists such as Queen, AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Elton John, Beyoncé, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart, George Michael, and Ozzy Osbourne. To headline Rock in Rio is to step onto a stage that has hosted the greatest performers of generations, and Stray Kids will now join this exclusive lineage.
Rock in Rio, established in 1985, is far more than a festival; it is a cultural institution. Artists who headline this event are not merely performing; they are inscribing their names into music history. For Stray Kids, this moment is the culmination of years of relentless international growth and a testament to their enduring global influence.
The official festival account teased their participation with #Hyunjin’s 🥟 emoji, sending fans into a frenzy — a subtle yet unmistakable signal of the historic announcement.
— Rock in Rio 🎸 (@rockinrio) November 25, 2025
The official reveal quickly went viral, solidifying their status as a worldwide phenomenon.
Tem Stay nessa rede? Chegou o momento de vocês!@stray_kids é o headliner do dia 11.SET, a primeira vez que o K-pop sobe no palco da Cidade do Rock e vai ser HISTÓRICO! 🫰✨#RockinRio2026 #STRAYKIDSnoRockinRio pic.twitter.com/8xVFmcufjk
— Rock in Rio 🎸 (@rockinrio) November 25, 2025
This achievement is part of a broader trajectory of Stray Kids’ international prominence. They have headlined major global festivals, including Lollapalooza Paris 2023, I-Days Milano 2024, BST Hyde Park London 2024, and Lollapalooza Chicago 2024, consistently delivering show-stopping performances that became festival highlights. Each headlining slot has been a showcase of their unmatched energy, artistry, and connection with global audiences — and Rock in Rio will be their most monumental stage yet.
Brazilian fans are already well acquainted with Stray Kids’ power as live performers. Earlier this year, as part of their record-breaking dominATE world tour, the group performed two sold-out nights at São Paulo’s Estádio do Morumbi, entertaining 120,000 fans across a single weekend. These performances cemented Stray Kids as trailblazers in K-pop’s global expansion and proved their ability to captivate massive stadium audiences. Returning to Brazil as Rock in Rio headliners is not just a homecoming; it is a declaration of their enduring influence and reach.
With legends like Elton John performing their highest-profile shows since retiring from touring, Stray Kids are now sharing the stage with artists who shaped the history of modern music. This is a moment that underscores the band’s meteoric rise and highlights the global recognition of K-pop as a dominant cultural force.
Stray Kids’ ascent to the Rock in Rio headliner position is more than an impressive career milestone. It is a definitive statement: K-pop is not a niche phenomenon; it is a commanding global movement. And Stray Kids are leading the charge. When they take the Rock in Rio stage on September 11, 2026, they will not simply be performing — they will be claiming their place in the pantheon of music history, standing shoulder to shoulder with the greatest artists of all time.