Katy Perry has been announced as the headliner for one of Europe’s biggest festivals – just weeks after announcing she and Justin Trudeau are actually a romantic coupleDaniel Bird Assistant Celebrity and Entertainment Editor
16:33, 18 Oct 2025
Katy Perry will be headlining one of Europe’s biggest festivals(Image: Redferns)
Katy Perry has been announced as the headliner for Rock In Rio Lisbon 2026. Rock In Rio Lisbon has announced that Firework singer is set to light up the Palco Mundo stage in a vibrant display of energy, colour, and emotion.
Joining previously announced Linkin Park on 21st June, Katy will take centre stage on 20th June, making a triumphant return to the City of Rock following her acclaimed 2018 performance. The first day of Rock in Rio Lisbon 2026 is billed as Pop Day, a day of dancing, celebration, unity, and joy, where music lovers of all generations come together.
The Palco Mundo stage will host a mix of performances, combining Katy’s pop spectacle with the infectious energy of Brazilian music sensation Pedro Sampaio, the emotive Lusophone artist Calema, and one of Portugal’s most lauded new bands, NAPA, on the new Super Bock Stage.
Katy’s announcement that she will be headlining comes after she confirmed she was dating former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In recent months, the pop star and former Prime Minister of Canada have been at the centre of speculation after they were spotted out for dinner with each other.
Katy Perry has been announced as a Rock In Rio Lisbon headliner
Perry is currently on her Lifetimes Tour across the globe(Image: WES ALLEN)
But while both attempted to brush off any speculation that they were dating one another, it appears that they’re no longer hiding their feelings. The pair have been seen cuddling each other, with Justin placing his hand on bikini-clad Katy’s bum while enjoying a day out on a luxury yacht.
Speculation about their relationship started in June when they were seen out on a date together in Montreal. But since then, they have kept things down low until their outing on a yacht in the Santa Barbara Channel, California, at the end of last month.
The yacht, Caravelle, belongs to Katy Perry, according to local residents on a Facebook group, who say it is kept at a nearby marina. Local whale watchers caught the couple while they were on a whale-spotting charter. An onlooker said: “She pulled up her boat next to a small public whale-watching boat, then they started making out. I didn’t realise who she was with until I saw the tattoos on the guy’s arm, and I immediately realised it was Justin Trudeau.”
Linkin Park also joins the line-up
Katy will headline the Pop day of the festival
In 2026, Rock in Rio Lisbon is set to evolve once more, expanding the City of Rock by over 25,000 m². The festival promises even more comfort, unforgettable experiences, and spectacles that can only be found at a Rock In Rio show. Come next June, Lisbon will undoubtedly be the world’s entertainment hotspot.
In 2026, Rock in Rio Lisbon is set to light up the capital’s sky with a dreamy spectacle. The festival will debut ‘The Flight’, an exclusive aerial show crafted specifically for the 11th edition of the event, promising to leave a lasting impression and take the festival’s thrill beyond the usual music stages.
Roberta Medina, Executive Vice President of Rock in Rio Lisbon, said: “We are preparing the largest and best edition of Rock in Rio Lisbon with unique and memorable experiences. In this way, we position Lisbon and the festival as global references in entertainment tourism. We want Rock in Rio Lisbon to continue being much more than a festival, a stage for unique, live, and collective experiences showing that people united in peace and harmony are the greatest transformative force to build the world we want to see.”
This year, bosses have announced The Flight, which will certainly leave a lasting impression on festivalgoers
Rock in Rio Lisbon 2026 is boosting its hospitality and premium packages with fresh areas focused on comfort and connection. The Comfort Zone will provide a reserved space featuring an exclusive bar and toilets, views of Palco Mundo, and enhanced comfort at the festival’s core.
The Premium Club delivers 36 suites accommodating 10 guests apiece, a private area with bespoke service, shuttle transport to City of Rock, catering and complimentary bar, plus spectacular stage vistas. The VIP Zone features a lounge with a complimentary bar, upmarket gastronomy, a panoramic balcony, and shuttle service included.
Rooftops offer exclusive areas for larger parties with a complimentary bar and the finest stage perspectives, plus optional shuttle and catering services. Event spaces will come fully equipped and ready for gatherings of up to 2,500 attendees.
These areas blend exclusivity, hospitality, and festival atmosphere, providing agencies, operators, and corporations with distinctive experiences bearing the Rock in Rio Lisbon hallmark. Bespoke packages including dinners and backstage access are also on offer.
The 11th edition of Rock in Rio Lisbon will make history on June 20, 21, 27, and 28, 2026. Tickets for 20th and 21st June are available at tickets.rockinriolisboa.pt