2026 Slam Dunk Festival Features Good Charlotte and Sublime at the Helm for 20th Anniversary
Slam Dunk Festival has unveiled the initial lineup for its 2026 edition, with Good Charlotte and Sublime leading the charge. The UK’s largest independent rock festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary at Hatfield Park in Hertfordshire and Temple Newsam in Leeds on May 23 and May 24, respectively.
Good Charlotte is set to headline the festival with a European-exclusive performance, marking their first UK show since their performance at London’s Alexandra Palace in early 2019. They headlined Slam Dunk the previous year and recently released their first album in seven years, ‘Motel Du Cap.’
Sublime will be making their debut performance in the UK at the Slam Dunk Festival. The California ska-punk band has been working with Travis Barker on their first new album in almost 30 years. In addition to these headliners, the lineup includes acts like President (possibly fronted by Busted’s Charlie Simpson), Taking Back Sunday, Dashboard Confessional, Cancer Bats, Motion City Soundtrack, Hawthorne Heights, Driveways, and Tonight Alive.
The organizers expressed their excitement about the upcoming festival. Good Charlotte stated, “We are excited to come back and play the UK for the first time in seven years, and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Slam Dunk will be a great time. Kicking off this next chapter of GC in the UK this way will be a lot of fun and a great precursor for what is still to come! Some of our fav shows in our career have been in the UK, and this will be no exception.” Ben Ray, the founder of Slam Dunk, shared, “When I started the festival 20 years ago, I had no idea it would get to the milestone of 20 years, let alone be the size that it has grown to. I am overwhelmed by the continued support for the event, both from the dedicated fan base who come every single year, to all the bands that keep coming back to play! A massive thank you to all!”
Tickets for both editions of Slam Dunk Festival 2026 will go on sale on September 27. Last year’s festival featured acts like A Day To Remember, Neck Deep, and Alkaline Trio, with additional European legs launched in 2025. The festival is expanding and continues to attract a loyal fan base and artists alike.
In conclusion, the upcoming Slam Dunk festival promises to be an exciting event for music lovers, with an impressive lineup of acclaimed artists and bands set to perform. Fans can anticipate an unforgettable experience celebrating the festival’s 20th anniversary in style.