Among the most iconic venues in all of motorsports, the Daytona International Speedway, home to the Daytona 500, welcomed a sea of humanity deadset on celebrating heavy music as the 2026 installment of Welcome to Rockville opened for the first of their four day stretch. 

Highlighted by stellar showings from the likes of Ice Nine Kills, Five Finger Death Punch and Godsmack, the start of the four-day weekend was jam packed with spectacle. In addition to the heavyweight names that anchored the mainstage, the theatric theme of the day was emphasized as dramatic showings from Amon Amarth, Behemoth, Cradle of FIlth and Castle Rat were without a doubt some of the day's most memorable instances. 

All this capped by a headlining set from the inimitable Guns N Roses, all eyes were on Daytona Beach as rock music spanning generation and subgenre was on full display. 

Check the gallery of images from the opening day of Welcome to Rockville 2026 below. 

 

GUNS N ROSES

ICE NINE KILLS

photos by @danvirchow

GODSMACK

photos by @nathanzucker

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH

photos by Steve Thrasher

AMON AMARTH

photos by @justnjames_

BEHEMOTH

photos by @justnjames_

CRADLE OF FILTH

photos by @danvirchow

CASTLE RAT