Sabrina Carpenter made good on a year-old promise to her fans. The pop star shared a throwback video from Coachella 2024, where she told the crowd she’d return as a headliner. With the official 2026 lineup out, Carpenter’s words are coming true.
A Star Steps Into the Spotlight
The Empire Polo Club will host Coachella from April 10-12 and April 17-19, 2026, in Indio, California. This time, Carpenter isn’t just playing to the midday crowd, she’ll take center stage as one of the festival’s top-billed acts.
Joining her at the top of the poster are Justin Bieber and Karol G, while Italian DJ Anyma will debut ÆDEN, a large-scale electronic showcase billed as its own marquee slot. Radiohead fans will also get a treat: a revival of Kid A Mnesia in a new space called “the Bunker.”
Making History
Karol G’s appearance is especially noteworthy. She will become the first Latina artist to headline Coachella, marking a milestone for the globally renowned festival. Her addition reflects the growing influence of Latin music on the world stage and on festival lineups in particular.
From 2024 to 2026
In her resurfaced clip from Coachella 2024, Carpenter told the audience, “I’ll be back here as a headliner one day. Woman of my word.” The video now feels prophetic, as fans celebrate her leap from buzzy daytime sets to the main stage.
She’s not the only performer making a full-circle moment at Coachella. Justin Bieber, who has largely kept a lower profile in recent years, will return to the festival spotlight for the first time in over a decade.
Passing the Torch
Last year’s headliners, Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Post Malone, set a high bar for the desert party. But with Carpenter’s rise in pop dominance, Bieber’s enduring star power, and Karol G’s historic performance, the 2026 edition already feels like one for the books.
