However, organizers announced a hiatus starting in 2020 to "rethink" the festival's future in the capital. As of 2023, while fans in Spain eagerly searched for a "Download España" return, the brand focused its energy on its record-breaking UK anniversary. Highlights of the 2023 Download 20th Anniversary
Even without a Madrid edition, 2023 was the biggest year in Download history. For the first time, the event spanned and featured a "no-repeat" double headline performance by Metallica .
The 60+ act lineup included Ghost , Evanescence , Architects , and Within Temptation .