Lisbon, May 19, 2026 (Lusa) – The Tagus Park in Portugal is gradually transforming into 'rock city', the Rock in Rio Lisbon venue, which celebrates its 11th edition in June with more space in front of the stages and new circulation areas.
The sounds of drills and hammers reverberate through the open-air venue facing the River Tagus, near the Vasco da Gama Bridge in eastern Lisbon, as dozens of workers move around the site.
Thousands of people will replace this noise on 20, 21, 27 and 28 June.
Lusa visited the site on Tuesday and, although the setup continues, changes from the previous edition are visible.
The executive vice-president of Rock in Rio, Roberta Medina, said, “The major change from one edition to another was expanding the space.”
The public area increased by 25,000 square metres, raising the venue's capacity to 100,000 people per day. In the 10th edition in 2024, the capacity was 80,000 people.
The expanded space allowed organisers, for example, “to spread out the circulation areas more.”
When visitors enter the venue, they immediately find Route 85, which includes the traditional chapel or the School of Rock stage.
Next, they will find the Digital Stage, which is “growing the most in terms of set design and programming in 2026.”
She said that “the clearing for the Palco Mundo [the main stage], although it may not look like it, is bigger,” because “the rooftops and bars moved back on the grounds.”
The Music Valley stage moved slightly from its previous location “so that circulation, which became a little restricted [in 2024] between one stage and the other [Palco Mundo], flows more smoothly.”
Although the Palco Mundo is the largest, she considers that the venue now has three large stages acting as main stages.
The Palco Mundo clearing accommodates 100,000 people, Music Valley holds 60,000 people, and Super Bock accommodates 35,000 people.
“Artists who previously could only perform on the Palco Mundo now perform on Music Valley and Super Bock, such as Kaiser Chiefs, Joss Stone, Alok, and Sepultura. Circulation has become absolutely crucial because people actually walk a lot from one stage to another,” she said.
Workers are setting up the stages and stands, the chapel stands, and the platform for people with reduced mobility, overlooking the Palco Mundo, is ready.
The production area under the Tagus Park canopy – which organisers built to shelter Pope Francis during World Youth Day - has been operating for a few weeks.
The toilet spaces, which increased by 40% this edition, and the food courts, which grew by 30%, are also visible.
Although no signs exist yet, “traditional attractions like the zip line and the Big wheel” will return for the 11th edition.
The 'rock city' will also feature the Football Arena, “a space showing FIFA World Cup matches constantly,” especially since organisers expect “many foreigners at the venue.”
The 11th edition line-up includes “a moment that has become a Rock in Rio tradition.”
“If Portugal plays a match, we broadcast it. On 27 June, at 12:30 a.m., when the Rod Stewart concert ends, the Portugal-Colombia match begins. Anyone here does not need to rush home; they can watch the match with us,” she said.
Organisers design each day's line-up at Rock in Rio Lisbon with a different audience in mind to “cater to everyone.”
“The first day, 20 June, featuring Kate Perry, Pedro Sampaio and Calema, is the day to bring children. The second day, 21 June, featuring Linkin Park, is sold out to rockers. The 27 June, with Rod Stewart, Cyndi Lauper and Shaggy, is the day to leave children at home. The final day, 28 June, featuring 21 Savage and Central Cee, is the day to leave parents behind. It attracts a younger crowd coming to enjoy urban and current music. However, we welcome families, and many people come together,” Medina said.
Usually, the day ends when the final performance on Palco Mundo finishes, but this edition will be different: “The Digital Stage closes the party.”
The organisation believes that scheduling performances after the final Palco Mundo concert finishes “helps the crowd flow, allowing people to leave more calmly.”
“This also eases the transport exit operation. It ensures the audience leaves gradually, just as they arrive, little by little,” Medina said.
The shuttle service from Lisbon's public bus operator, running between Gare do Oriente train station and 'Rock City', will double its capacity this edition, with 25 articulated buses running throughout the afternoon and 50 operating for the exit.
Road closures around the venue represent the biggest mobility difference from the previous edition, alongside the reinforced shuttle service.
Medina noted that irregular parking ultimately “disrupted the shuttle exits during the previous edition.”
“Therefore, authorities will restrict the roads, taking care to accommodate residents and shopkeepers, so the changes do not severely impact their lives. No one can arrive by car near the park,” she said.
Drivers can find “Telpark (a parking network operator) car parks across the city with special 24-hour rates” as an alternative, and “all transport operators will offer special rates for Rock in Rio ticket holders.”
Medina also said that Sacavém train station is a 7-minute walk from the venue, reinforcing that public transport is the best option to reach it.
JRS/LYT // ADB.
Lusa
