There can be no Bonnaroo Music & Arts Competition in 2027. Here is the rationale why.
The competition says it is on a break after depressing climate the final two years, however that is simply a part of the complete story.
- Bonnaroo is an annual music and humanities competition in Manchester, Tenn.
- It began in 2002 and audiences grew to 100,000 for the weekend earlier than declining in recent times.
- 2027 will really be the second time in three years there was no Bonnaroo.
Headliners and supporting artists weren’t but introduced for the 2027 competition. Final June, the three-day fest was headlined by The Strokes, Rüfüs Du Sol and Noah Kahan.
What Is Bonnaroo Canceled?
The official Bonnaroo web site blames climate, and in equity the competition’s June weekend has been crushed by storms for 2 straight years.
After 2025 was canceled (extra on that later), they spent some huge cash to enhance the campgrounds main as much as the 2026 competition.
“That included improved drainage, 4.5 miles of latest roadways and 135 acres of latest grass, all which strengthened The Farm’s resiliency to Mom Nature,” the cancelation word reads.
“With restricted time to recuperate from again to again years of storms, together with the heavy rainstorm on Sunday this yr, The Farm, notably the primary venue, wants a break to relaxation and get well.”
There’s numerous methods to interpret this “relaxation,” nevertheless it’s clear extra time is required for additional enhancements or to make a plan to climate these storms (and the unfavourable press) a bit extra successfully.
Bonnaroo Attendance – Was This the Actual Drawback?
There is not any denying that Bonnaroo has been drawing smaller crowds since a peak in 2012. There was an uptick in 2019 when Phish and Put up Malone headlined. That yr, the fest offered out for the primary time in six years, with 80,000 folks attending (per the Tennessean).
The COVID pandemic pressured the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 festivals. The viewers was all the way down to an all-time low of 40,000 in 2022, however bounced again with 85,000 in 2023.
In 2025, they canceled shortly after they began when heavy rains, flooding and the prospect of extra dangerous climate made persevering with not possible.
READ MORE: 2025 Bonnaroo Refunds Made Accessible Amid Backlash
This uncertainty could have led to simply 45,000 folks in 2026. It is comprehensible if organizers want extra time to determine how one can not develop into referred to as the competition that will get rained out loads.
See different huge 2026 rock and steel festivals within the gallery beneath.
2026 Rock + Steel Competition + Cruise Information
What can be your rock and steel journey in 2026? See all of the rock and steel competition and cruise choices.
Gallery Credit score: Chad Childers, Loudwire
