Mad Cool 2026 opens in Madrid with Foo Fighters, Florence + The Machine and a reinforced transport plan
The four-day festival returns to the Iberdrola Music venue in Villaverde from 8 to 11 July, drawing around 57,000 attendees per day and headliners including Foo Fighters, Moby, Lorde and Nick Cave.
Festival returns for 10th anniversary
Mad Cool 2026 marks a decade since the festival's debut in 2016, though this is its ninth edition in the capital. The event runs from Wednesday 8 July to Saturday 11 July at the Iberdrola Music site in Villaverde, a venue that has drawn repeated complaints from residents over noise and mobility problems in previous years. Organisers have prepared a special transport and traffic plan to avoid the access issues that marred earlier editions.
Lineup and schedule
More than 70 artists will perform across six stages over four days. Wednesday's opening night features Foo Fighters and Moby, while Thursday brings Florence + The Machine, Jennie and Lorde. Friday and Saturday include Twenty One Pilots, Kings of Leon, Pixies, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Pulp and David Byrne. Gates open at 18:00 each day; music runs from 18:30 to 00:30 on Wednesday, 18:30 to 02:00 on Thursday and Friday, and 18:40 to 02:00 on Saturday.
- Gates 18:00, music 18:30–00:30. Headliners: Foo Fighters, Moby.
- Gates 18:00, music 18:30–02:00. Headliners: Florence + The Machine, Jennie, Lorde.
- Gates 18:00, music 18:30–02:00. Headliners: Twenty One Pilots, Kings of Leon, Pixies.
- Gates 18:00, music 18:40–02:00. Headliners: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Pulp, David Byrne.
Transport and mobility plan
Authorities have reinforced Metro Line 3 to Villaverde Alto and Line 12 to Los Espartales, along with Cercanías lines C3, C4 and C5. EMT buses and special shuttle services will operate, with a direct Cercanías shuttle between Villaverde Alto and Atocha running every 15 to 60 minutes. Road closures will affect the M-45 roundabout and several local streets; the city council advises using public transport and avoiding private vehicles.
Economic impact and past controversies
The festival is expected to boost Madrid's economy through high hotel occupancy and increased activity in hospitality, transport and retail. Previous editions were marked by noise complaints and mobility failures, prompting this year's expanded transport measures. The 2026 edition aims to consolidate Madrid's position as a major European festival destination while addressing the operational shortcomings of the past.
