The most popular metal festival in the UK is just hours away from confirming which acts will headline the festival in 2024 and anticipation is high!
Following on from this summer's mammoth four day special edition that saw thrash icon Metallica play not one but TWO headline sets, the rumours of who will top the bill at Donington next year, with rumours of Queens Of The Stone Age, Iron Maiden, Rammstein and Fall Out Boy have swirling around for a number of weeks now.
But who could realistically headline the festival this year? We look at 10 bands that could potentially be announced as the headline act ahead of next week's announcement.
1. Iron Maiden
They only headlined as recently as 2022 but if you type in 'Iron Maiden UK tour 2024' on Google, Download Festival is listed as a date. Bruce Dickinson also confirmed his European tour earlier today and - while it would be tight - the Download weekend is available.
2. Avenged Sevenfold
Known as A7X, the Californian metal giants seem the most likely headliners with no other confirmed UK dates as yet and new album 'Life Is But A Dream' released recently. We're pretty confident the 'Unholy Confessions' hitmakers will headline one of the three nights at Download.
3. Korn
Despite being on of the most consistent and successful metal bands on the planet, Jonathan Davis and his band have never headlined Download, despite playing many times. It is the 30th anniversary of their debut album too. Could this year be their crowning moment in Donington? We'd be all for it.
4. Queens Of The Stone Age
Huge band with a big fanbase? Check. New album? Check. QOTSA tick all the basic boxes to be able to headline Download and, while they do have a UK headline tour soon, it does take place a full six months before Download Festival.