The Chicks are headed to the Grandstand in Springfield, with Gov. JB Pritzker announcing Tuesday that the Grammy-winning trio will headline the 2026 Illinois State Fair. The fair runs from August 13 through August 23, and the group tops a bill that also includes Bailey Zimmerman, Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley, Shinedown, and Matchbox Twenty. For fairgoers, that means multiple big-name country and rock nights built into one 11-day stretch at the fairgrounds.
Big-name headliner confirmed
The governor’s announcement surfaced publicly through a report from ABC7 Chicago, which noted that Emily Robison, Natalie Maines, and Martie Maguire are slotted as Grandstand headliners. ABC7 highlighted an AP photo of the trio performing the national anthem at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, a reminder that the band still plays on some of the country’s biggest stages. The station’s story marked the first time The Chicks were publicly tied to the 2026 State Fair lineup.
Other Grandstand acts and dates
The rest of the Grandstand picture comes into focus through the fair’s schedule and local coverage. FOX 32 Chicago outlined a roster that features Bailey Zimmerman, Lainey Wilson, and Matchbox Twenty as reserved Grandstand acts, with Ella Langley and Shinedown filling other nights. That breakdown also notes that ticket on-sale dates and tiered pricing will depend on the performer. The shows are spread across the fair’s 11-day run, giving concertgoers several chances to pick a night and genre that suits them.
Tickets and digital entry
According to the Illinois State Fair’s Grandstand information page, Ticketmaster is the authorized online seller for Grandstand concerts, and the fair is continuing its shift toward mobile ticketing for 2026. Box-office guidance explains that in-person and phone orders will be available once the Grandstand box office opens and lays out accessibility details, fees, and will-call options. Fair organizers are urging visitors to download mobile tickets ahead of time to avoid slowdowns at the gates.
About The Chicks
The Chicks, made up of Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire, and Emily Robison, remain one of country music’s most recognizable groups and continue to anchor major tours and festival bills. ABC7’s coverage pointed to the band’s recent high-profile appearances as a sign that their Springfield date is likely to be one of the marquee Grandstand shows of the season. Fans should expect demand to be strong once their night at the fair is officially on sale.
Springfield’s fair returns as a crowd magnet
Record attendance at the 2025 fair helped set the stage for this kind of lineup, as reported by Hoodline, and offers a clear incentive for organizers to keep chasing major touring acts for the Grandstand. The concert slate has become a key attraction for visitors and a boost for nearby businesses, and promoters have leaned on recognizable names to keep those crowds coming. In that context, landing The Chicks is positioned as another big draw for Springfield’s summer tourism.
Plan if you’re going
Officials are urging would-be concertgoers to stick with authorized sellers and to make sure mobile tickets are downloaded before heading to the fairgrounds, in line with the State Fair’s box-office guidance and local reporting. Ticketmaster handles most online Grandstand sales, and the fair warns that secondary-market purchases can run into problems at the gate if barcodes do not scan correctly. For the latest details on concert dates, seating options, and box-office hours, the Illinois State Fair Grandstand page remains the go-to resource.
