Stagecoach 2026 guide: What to know about the festival — and how to watch from home

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Alright, music fans, it’s time to swap out those festival vibes! Forget the flower crowns and sneakers because Stagecoach is taking over the Empire Polo Club in Indio from April 24th to 26th. Basically, Coachella’s packed up, and it’s all about country now. Get ready for boots and hats!

Post Malone, known for headlining Coachella in 2025 and performing country songs at Stagecoach in 2024, will return to headline the country music festival this year. He’ll be joined by headliners Lainey Wilson and Cody Johnson.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Stagecoach festival, including details about attending and how to watch if you can’t be there in person.

When is Stagecoach? Where is the venue?

Stagecoach 2026 runs April 24 to 26 at the Empire Polo Club at 81-800 Ave. 51 in Indio.

Who is performing at Stagecoach 2026?

This year’s main stage headliners are Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson and Post Malone.

As a huge music fan, I’m really excited about the stage setups they’re planning! We’re going to see incredible productions from artists like Brooks & Dunn and Bailey Zimmerman, and it’s awesome they’ve included some classic rock acts like Journey, Counting Crows, Third Eye Blind, and Bush. Plus, the lineup is so diverse – Ludacris and Pitbull are going to bring the energy, and I’m especially thrilled Diplo is bringing back his HonkyTonk dance area alongside his performance. It’s shaping up to be an amazing show!

See the full lineup.

Did you know Teddy Swims, who performed at Mane Stage, played Coachella for two weekends in a row? Fans are wondering if he’ll bring out David Lee Roth again like he has before. Plus, Diplo and Major Lazer were also part of the Coachella lineup.

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This year’s country music festival in Indio will include performances by Brooks & Dunn, Ella Langley, Bailey Zimmerman, and more.

What’s new at Stagecoach this year?

The highlight of this year’s Stagecoach is the new Mustang Stage. Years ago, there was a smaller tent called Mustang Stage that showcased cowboy poetry and bluegrass music. This new version will be much larger and located in the same spot where the Sahara Tent is during the Coachella festival.

As a huge Stagecoach fan, I’ve definitely experienced the massive crowds at the Palomino Stage when big names are playing – it gets packed. So, I’m really glad they’re doing something to help with that! Hopefully, it’ll make seeing artists like Journey, Hootie & the Blowfish, and the Red Clay Strays a little easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

The venue is now hosting late-night performances by artists like Diplo, Pitbull, and Ludacris, continuing the tradition previously established at the Palomino.

Can I still get tickets to Stagecoach? How much are passes?

Good news – passes for Stagecoach 2026 are still available! A standard three-day pass costs $619, but you can save money by buying six passes at once for $569 each. For $699 and up, you can get a pass that also includes shuttle service. If you’d like access to exclusive lounge areas – the Rhinestone Saloon near the main stage and the Rose Garden Saloon – a pass is available for $974.

For prime viewing near the main stage, a standing pit pass in the Corral area costs $1,899. Reserved seating in the Corral ranges from $1,199 to $2,299. These seats are folding camping chairs, with the most expensive option including drink holders. A great perk: you get to keep your chair after the event on Sunday night! Both standing and seated Corral passes also grant access to exclusive lounges – the Corral Saloon, plus the Rhinestone and Rose Garden Saloons.

You can buy tickets at stagecoach.com/passes.

What’s the difference between general admission and Corral passes?

As a Stagecoach fan, I’ve learned it’s a bit different than Coachella when it comes to getting close to the main stage. If you really want to be right up front, you’ll need to get a Corral pass. The Corral Standing Pit is where you’ll find the absolute closest views!

If you only have a general admission (GA) pass, you’ll likely watch the headlining performers on a large screen. Stagecoach sets up several screens throughout the festival grounds for GA ticket holders, and there’s usually another screen near the Beer Barn as well.

General Admission passholders who prefer to stand usually get a better view of the main stage compared to those who bring blankets or low chairs.

Generally, attendees with GA passes have always been able to get close to the other stages.

When does Stagecoach release set times?

The performance schedule for Stagecoach is now available. Just like Coachella often does, the festival recently revealed that Dan + Shay will be performing on Friday at the Palomino Stage.

When do gates open at Stagecoach? How late does the music go?

Parking lots become available at noon every day, and you can enter the event starting at 1 PM. Everything wraps up by midnight, or possibly sooner.

What’s the deal with parking? What about the shuttles? Can I take a rideshare? How’s traffic?

Who says you can’t get anything for free anymore? Day parking is free at Stagecoach.

Just like I suggested for Coachella, save the location of your parking spot on your phone so you can easily find your car later.

We offer a rideshare lot for convenient drop-off and pick-up. For those needing transportation to and from the event, shuttle passes are available for $130. Premium parking is also available for $299.

Stagecoach typically sees less traffic than Coachella because it has fewer attendees. However, traffic can be heavy on Monday as festival-goers leave the desert.

Looking for ways to escape the Stagecoach crowds or explore beyond the festival grounds? Here are 14 fun desert activities to check out.

Where do I put my stuff? Are there lockers? Is there a place to charge my phone?

Stagecoach offers medium lockers for rent at $84 for the weekend. You can book these ahead of time. They also have smaller charging lockers available for $74 for the weekend.

Backpacks 18” x 13” x 8.5” or smaller are allowed inside the venue.

You can also charge your devices at various spots around the property, in addition to the charging lockers. Please remember to bring your own charging cable and adapter.

What’s the weather going to be like for Stagecoach and how can I prepare for it?

Accuweather is predicting a high of 90 degrees on Friday, with temperatures cooling to 81 on Saturday and 78 on Sunday. While it will be warm during the day, nighttime temperatures will drop into the 50s, so bringing a light jacket or sweatshirt is a good idea. Plus, you’re allowed to bring blankets or towels up to 50×70 inches – big enough to get really cozy, or even wrap yourself up completely!

You can also bring in handheld fans (paper or battery-powered).

You can bring small, personal water misters made of plastic, but they must be completely empty when you arrive.

The wind seems calm now, but it will likely pick up soon. Please protect yourself and others by wearing a face covering – a bandana or mask will do – and try not to bring any illness home with you.

The desert is hot. Are there water stations?

Lots of people love having beer at Stagecoach, but it’s important to remember it doesn’t hydrate you like water. My rule of thumb in April is to take dehydration seriously, and if you’re enjoying a beer, be sure to drink plenty of water too.

Luckily, you can easily refill your water bottle at several stations around the event, and if you need to purchase a new one, it’s just $2.

Similar to Coachella’s policy, you’re welcome to bring your own reusable water bottle or hydration pack – as long as it’s made of plastic, not metal or glass, and holds 64 ounces or less.

Need a quick hydration boost? The Electrolit booth is offering free electrolyte samples near the Mane Stage and Diplo’s HonkyTonk. (Insider tip: I made sure to grab one every morning at Coachella – staying hydrated is key!)

What’s the deal with food at Stagecoach?

Stagecoach is a barbecue lover’s dream! You’ll find plenty of delicious options, and Guy Fieri will be there with cooking demonstrations and friends all weekend long, bringing the flavors of Flavortown to the festival.

Several food vendors from Coachella will also be here, like Prince St. Pizza and Irv’s Burgers. Our food editor, Danielle Dorsey, was particularly impressed with Love Hour and Oh My Burger at the festival this year.

If you’re buying food on site, plan on $20 and up for most entrees, with a few deals to be had.

You can still find free stuff from Coachella! Electrolit and Coca-Cola are still giving away items, and Monster Energy has a booth with samples. Monster Energy is also hosting a meet-and-greet with Redferrin after his Saturday performance and a surprise DJ set on Sunday. Keep an eye out for free food samples handed out after Guy Fieri’s cooking demos.

Food

Okay, so I’m already dreaming about the food at Coachella Weekend 2! Seriously, they have everything this year. I’ve heard about amazing vegan crunch wraps, and if you’re feeling fancy, they even have $12 caviar bumps! Plus, tons of L.A.-style tacos. Basically, you won’t go hungry – or thirsty – at all!

What else can I do while I’m in the desert? Is there time to do anything outside of the festival?

Great question! We recently created a set of fun activities to do around the desert. Some, like taking a picture of the Marilyn statue in Palm Springs or checking out the old Coachella art piece “Sarbalé Ke,” are quick and easy to do before heading into Stagecoach each day. Others take a little more time and can help you avoid the Monday traffic on your way out.

For more ideas, check out our guide to Palm Springs for Gen Z, covering where to eat, drink, and shop. Plus, restaurant critic Bill Addison has recently updated his recommendations for the best restaurants in Palm Springs.

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For Subscribers

14 desert side quests to check out beyond Coachella, Stagecoach

Venture beyond the festival grounds and discover the desert’s hidden gems. Whether you’re looking for quirky roadside attractions like the Forever Marilyn statue or more substantial sights, here are some places to go when you’re trying to escape the crowds and traffic.

How can I watch Stagecoach from home?

In recent years, Stagecoach has been streamed on Prime Video, Amazon Music and Twitch.

The streams start each day at 3 p.m. Pacific. There are two channels set up.

While the exact timing isn’t available yet, Amazon has announced that the livestream will feature performances by Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, Post Malone, Third Eye Blind, Avery Anna, Ludacris, Michael Marcagi, Pitbull, the Red Clay Strays, Wynonna Judd, and Diplo.

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2026-04-23 02:33