Outside Lands 2026 Sets the Stage for a Fan-First Festival Season

San Francisco’s beloved summer ritual is officially warming up. Outside Lands is back with major early-year announcements that signal a thoughtful evolution for one of North America’s most celebrated music festivals. Now entering its 18th year, the festival returns to the iconic Golden Gate Park from August 7–9, and the road to 2026 kicks off with a lineup reveal scheduled for Tuesday, March 3.

What makes this year’s buildup especially exciting is Outside Lands’ newly reimagined presale approach, one designed squarely with fans in mind. For the first time, the festival is retiring its long-running Eager Beaver presale model and replacing it with two new options: the Loyalty Presale and the Ranger Presale. The key difference is clarity. Fans will be able to see the full 2026 lineup before committing to tickets, removing the guesswork and letting excitement drive decisions rather than blind faith.

The Loyalty Presale opens Tuesday, March 3 at 12pm PT, immediately following the lineup announcement. This option is available to fans who have purchased Outside Lands tickets through Front Gate Tickets or registered a wristband within the past five years, from 2021 through 2025. Eligible fans must sign up by 11:00am PT on March 3 to receive their unique presale code, delivered via SMS the morning of the sale. It’s a clear nod to the community that’s helped define Outside Lands across nearly two decades.

For everyone else, the Ranger Presale offers another early access window. Open to all fans, it begins Wednesday, March 4 at 12pm PT and runs through Thursday, March 5 at 11:45am PT. Signup remains open through Tuesday, March 3 at 4:00pm PT, and like the Loyalty Presale, access requires a code sent via text. Chase cardholders also receive a dedicated presale beginning March 3 at 12pm PT, running through March 5 at 11:45am PT, with no signup required.

All presales unlock access to the full range of three-day ticket options, including GA, GA+, VIP, and the ultra-premium Golden Gate Club, along with festival shuttle passes. Each presale starts at the lowest available pricing tiers, giving early buyers both value and peace of mind. The General On Sale follows on Thursday, March 5 at 12pm PT, with tickets available to the public while supplies last.

As always, Outside Lands promises more than just a stacked lineup. It’s a full sensory experience where music, art, food, and atmosphere collide beneath towering trees and open skies. Fans can expect lineup clues to surface across the festival’s social channels in the days leading up to March 3, adding a layer of playful anticipation to an already buzzing moment.

With a fan-first ticketing overhaul and another summer weekend on the horizon, Outside Lands 2026 is shaping up to be a confident, community-driven chapter in the festival’s storied history. We love this festival more than anything and are confident it’s going to deliver as always!!