JOHANNESBURG – Music fans across South Africa are in for a treat as Big Concerts has officially announced the star-studded line-up for Calabash South Africa 2026, with British rock titans Muse set to headline what promises to be the biggest stadium rock concert of the year.
The highly anticipated festival will take place across two major venues: FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 7 February 2026, and DHL Stadium in Cape Town on 11 February 2026.
Joining Muse on the impressive roster are international heavyweight acts A Day To Remember, Simple Plan, and Nothing But Thieves, alongside beloved South African favourites Prime Circle, Van Pletzen, and Die Heuwels Fantasties.
The festival’s headliners bring decades of combined experience and countless chart-topping hits. Muse, the multiple award-winning British trio, will deliver their signature blend of progressive rock and theatrical performance, featuring era-defining anthems like Uprising, Starlight, and Supermassive Black Hole.” Known for their jaw-dropping visuals and incredible live sound, the band’s headline performance is expected to be nothing short of spectacular.
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A Day To Remember, one of the most powerful rock acts of the 21st century, brings platinum-certified releases and nearly two billion global streams to the stage. Fans can expect high-energy performances of hits like All I Want, The Downfall of Us All, and All My Friends.
Pop-punk veterans Simple Plan will bring over two decades of experience, armed with multi-platinum hits including I’m Just A Kid, Welcome To My Life, and Perfect. With over 10 million albums sold worldwide and more than a billion YouTube views, their presence adds significant star power to the lineup.
Nothing But Thieves, the Southend five-piece that has taken the alternative rock world by storm, rounds out the international acts. With 1.6 million worldwide album sales, 2.1 billion streams, and multiple gold and platinum records, they represent the new generation of rock excellence.
The festival showcases the best of South African music alongside international acts. Prime Circle will deliver their chart-topping rock anthems, while Van Pletzen brings their infectious high-energy performance and razor-sharp wit to FNB Stadium on 7 February.
At the Cape Town show, iconic Afrikaans rock band Die Heuwels Fantasties will open the Calabash Stage at DHL Stadium on 11 February, setting the tone with their unmistakable sound and laying the foundation for an unforgettable night of world-class live music.
This monumental gathering builds on the massive success of previous Calabash events in 2024 and 2025, with organisers promising to raise the bar once more.
Ticket information
The ticketing process includes several pre-sale opportunities:
- Mastercard presale: Thursday, 11 December at 09:00 through Saturday, 13 December 08:59
- Big Concerts Fan Club Presale: Friday, 12 December 09:00 through Saturday, 13 December at 08:59
- General public sale: Saturday, 13 December at 09:00
Tickets will be available through www.calabashsouthafrica.co.za and Ticketmaster.co.za. Mastercard cardholders can access special presale information at priceless.com/music, while Big Concerts Fan Club members can purchase presale tickets from www.bigconcerts.co.za.
With this incredible lineup spanning multiple generations of rock music and combining international superstars with homegrown talent, Calabash South Africa 2026 is positioned to cement its status as one of the country’s premier live music events and deliver a truly unforgettable experience for rock fans nationwide.
