KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

Organizers of the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival have begun providing updates on The Farm, as well as offering clues and causing speculation about who’s coming in 2026.

After canceling the music festival after the first day due to weather and conditions of the grounds this past June, organizers began issuing surveys out to attendees for feedback on different dates, frequencies of the festival and what genres and artists they would want to see. They then announced in July the first change to the festival would be moving up the date for the 2026 festival to take place on June 11 through June 14.

In addition, organizers revealed that during the off-season they would be dedicating an additional multi-million-dollar budget and initiating improvements that prioritize the campgrounds and other areas affected by weather, including reseeding the property, continuing to increase access roads within the campgrounds, adding more drainage and reinforcing primary water runoff pathways.

Then earlier this month, festivalgoers receive their first update from organizers, this time in regards to the presale for tickets.

“We want you to see the adjustments we’ve cooked up for 2026 before you buy tickets, so we will pause the traditional blind presale this year,” organizers said. “That doesn’t mean the Troo Roo presale will go away completely. 2025 ticket-holders will have a special opportunity to get first dibs on tickets at the lowest prices once the lineup is out! Stay tuned for more details and keep an eye out for updates from our team on the farm coming very soon!”

Bonnaroovians didn’t have to wait too long as the festival then began to offer “Roo Clues” to see who will be on the lineup for the 2026 festival. Not only have festivalgoers been figuring out he clues given to them, but they have been speculating who will also be on the card based on availability in tour schedules. Thus far the confirmed acts include Amyl & The Sniffers, Daily Bread, The Dare, Turnover, Turnstile and Skrillex, who has been confirmed to headline Bonnaroo Thursday.

Organizers then released an update video regarding what’s been happening to The Farm. According to Justin Billcheck, the sites operations manager, where they have been focused on three priorities: improving the grounds with turf management, improving stormwater management systems sitewide and campgrounds and significantly expanding the road system and the pads that host some of the campground areas, and the plaza services like the showers and bathrooms.

 In a follow-up update that went over some of the specifics, Billcheck said they planted 135 acres of Bermuda grass around Plazas 2 and 3 and around the venue.

“One of the strengths of the Bermuda grass is that, if we do get rain, it’s ability to absorb water in its root system because at that time of year its growing and thirsting for water,” Billcheck said.

Dale Green, head groundskeeper for Bonnaroo since 2001, said they used fescue grassed previously and during the summer the grass didn’t grow so well during the summer and would go into shock because of the heat.

“Bermuda loves hot weather, so hopefully this is going to be a better carpet for people to be able to walk on and enjoy a whole lot more than what the Fescue does,” Green said.

Additionally, Bonnaroo has announced that all 4-day ticket buyers will receive their free bandanas when they enter the campgrounds, which was something that was removed last year that upset many attendees. Another request from attendees is the return of Bonnaroo Radio, which will curated legendary performances at the festival, updates on traffic and weather and other important announcements and special interviews during the weekend. Bonnaroo Radio will be heard exclusively on 101.5 FM The Rooster, which had been a staple back when 101.5 FM was Fantasy Radio.

As the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival starts to take shape for 2026, many fans are feeling excited about what’s to come, and are looking forward to the future announcement of the lineup and ticket presale.