Rock The South 2026 postponed: When are the new dates?

Country music fans ready to experience the revamped Rock The South festival in its new Decatur home will have to adjust their calendars.

Originally slated for this Thursday through Saturday, the event has been officially pushed back due to poor ground conditions caused by significant recent rainfall. The festival is now set to run for four days, spanning October 1 – 4.

A Change of Plans

In an official statement, organizers noted that the heavy rainfall at the site made the postponement unavoidable. "The monumental amount of rain that has fallen at the event site gives us no choice but to postpone the festival," organizers stated. "We are thankful that the headliners are available for the new dates and appreciate the patience and support of all involved as we look to put on a great Rock the South later this year."

Safety remains the primary objective, with organizers confident the later dates will provide a much better experience for staff, performers, and attendees.

The Lineup and Expansion

The core headliners remain committed to the event: Zach Top will perform on Thursday, October 1, followed by Jason Aldean on Friday, October 2, and Alabama's own Riley Green on Sunday, October 4. The festival is also expanding its schedule, adding a Saturday, October 3 headlining set from Alabama star Jessie Murph at no additional charge to current ticket holders.

Scheduling Hurdles

While the October timeline offers relief from the typical June heat, the new dates place the festival directly in the path of SEC football. On October 3, the University of Alabama faces Mississippi State, while Auburn University takes on the University of Tennessee. This creates a challenging overlap reminiscent of the South Star festival, a one-and-done experiment in Huntsville that struggled with weather complications, a Jane’s Addiction cancellation, and a direct conflict with an Alabama-Georgia game.

Moving Forward

Organizers plan to share a daily lineup update in the coming weeks and will email ticket holders next week with refund information. The festival is hosted at a 150-acre former farm known as The Fields. Originally launched in Cullman in 2012, Rock The South has hosted icons including Morgan Wallen, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ella Langley, Kid Rock, Luke Combs, Gregg Allman, Chris Stapleton, Hank Williams Jr., Luke Bryan, and Buckcherry.

Following record-breaking attendance in 2023 and a massive turnout in 2024, the festival remains a major event for the state. Visit the festival website for official updates on the transition.