Rolling Loud music festival comes to Orlando for first time

Tens of thousands of people will congregate in Orlando this weekend for what is billed as the world’s largest hip-hop festival, moving to Central Florida from its former home in Miami.

Rolling Loud is coming to Camping World Stadium for three days this weekend with headliners Playboi Carti, Don Toliver and YoungBoy Never Broke Again. The lineup also features Soulja Boy, Snow Strippers, Chief Keef, Destroy Lonely, Sexyy Red, EsDeeKid, FakeMink, Nettspend, NoCap, BossMan Dlow, OsamaSon, Homixide Gang, PlaqueBoyMax, SkaiWater, TiaCorine, Lazer Dim 700 and more.

“This lineup is a statement,” said Tariq Cherif, Rolling Loud’s co-founder, in a news release. “Playboi Carti, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, and Don Toliver each represent different forces shaping hip-hop right now, and bringing them together for our only U.S. festival of 2026 felt intentional.”

The sold-out festival — which comes to Florida for the festival’s only U.S. stop this year — expects to welcome around 50,000 fans per day at the site that also hosts EDC Orlando and Vans Warped Tour. While about a quarter of the audience is based in Florida, the event draws people from the Southeast, Midwest, California and international destinations.

The festival was founded in Miami in 2015 by South Floridians Cherif and Matt Zingler, who were childhood friends. Since then, the festival has grown to include events in New York, California, Australia and India.

Facing rising costs of flights and accommodations for festival attendees in Miami, the Rolling Loud team decided to make the move to the City Beautiful.

Rolling Loud, the world's largest hip-hop festival, lands in Orlando for the first time May 8-10 with an expected 50,000 fans per day in attendance. (Blaise Joseph Photography/Courtesy of Rolling Loud)
Rolling Loud, the world’s largest hip-hop festival, lands in Orlando for the first time May 8-10 with an expected 50,000 fans per day in attendance. (Blaise Joseph Photography/Courtesy of Rolling Loud)

“In Orlando, there’s a million hotels. Flights are cheap coming in from all around the world. It saves the fans a lot of money and still provides an amazing experience,” Zingler said. “Being centralized in Florida, you can bring all the colleges together. You can drive from Atlanta and Tampa is right across from Orlando.”

Festival organizers also passed cost savings onto fans, offering tickets for around $100 less than previous events. General admission passes started at $279 and are now available only by joining the official waitlist.

Rolling Loud, the world's largest hip-hop festival, lands in Orlando for the first time May 8-10 with an expected 50,000 fans per day in attendance. The event takes place at Camping World Stadium. (Fleck Media/Courtesy of Rolling Loud)
Rolling Loud, the world’s largest hip-hop festival, lands in Orlando for the first time May 8-10 with an expected 50,000 fans per day in attendance. The event takes place at Camping World Stadium. (Fleck Media/Courtesy of Rolling Loud)

“It’s always been about the fans for me. Ideally I make the same product at a cheaper price,” Zingler said. “Things are so expensive nowadays, I just think it’s important to be fair.”

While previous festivals have featured huge names like Kendrick Lamar, Future, Lil Wayne, A$AP Rocky and Travis Scott, this year focuses more on up-and-coming artists that are increasingly relevant on social media and streaming platforms.

Rolling Loud, the world's largest hip-hop festival, comes to Camping World Stadium, landing in Orlando for the first time May 8-10 with an expected 50,000 fans per day in attendance. Headliners include Don Toliver, Playboi Carti and NBA YoungBoy. (Kadeem Cobham/Courtesy of Rolling Loud)
Rolling Loud, the world’s largest hip-hop festival, comes to Camping World Stadium, landing in Orlando for the first time May 8-10 with an expected 50,000 fans per day in attendance. Headliners include Don Toliver, Playboi Carti and NBA YoungBoy. (Kadeem Cobham/Courtesy of Rolling Loud)

“We’ve really curated the lineup specifically to cultural relevance in today’s market. It’s up-and-coming, it’s hot and new,” Zingler said. “You have 120-140 artists and you can see them all for around $300. There’s no way you could ever do that.”

In addition to hearing music on three stages at the event, fans can ride a Ferris wheel, explore activations from sponsors, browse merch, or enjoy bites from food trucks and vendors.

The Orlando Police Department is ramping up security at Camping World Stadium, in the areas surrounding the venue and in downtown Orlando in anticipation of this weekend’s event. A special event zone will be in place on Orange Blossom Trail from State Road 408 to Colonial Drive with double fines and increased penalties for drivers committing criminal or even minor traffic violations.

“It will be all hands-on deck. Our officers have extensive experience managing large-scale events, and we have a comprehensive plan in place,” said Chief Eric Smith of Orlando Police Department in a news release. “We will do everything necessary to ensure that everyone attending the festival, as well as the residents throughout our city, remains safe.”

Outside of the festival footprint, fans can explore a “citywide cultural takeover” with parties, artists appearances and performances at downtown venues, Universal ticket add-on packages and a collaboration with Trophy Room, an Orlando retailer.

Rolling Loud, the world's largest hip-hop festival, comes to Camping World Stadium, landing in Orlando for the first time May 8-10 with an expected 50,000 fans per day in attendance. Headliners include Don Toliver, Playboi Carti and NBA YoungBoy. (Devon Dickson/Courtesy of Rolling Loud)
Rolling Loud, the world’s largest hip-hop festival, comes to Camping World Stadium, landing in Orlando for the first time May 8-10 with an expected 50,000 fans per day in attendance. Headliners include Don Toliver, Playboi Carti and NBA YoungBoy. (Devon Dickson/Courtesy of Rolling Loud)

“All in all, it’s like the hip-hop Disney World,” Zingler said. “We’re going to open your eyes and show you talent that has amazing fan bases. That is worth your money and worth seeing something new.”

For those who live within several miles of Camping World Stadium where concert noise can travel, the event will wrap at 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 10 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, visit 2026.rollingloud.com.

Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. Stay up to date with our latest travel, arts and events coverage by subscribing to our newsletters at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.

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