First wave of line-up announced for 2026 Slam Dunk festival
Slam Dunk Festival has released the initial group of performers for its upcoming 2026 lineup. The festival, which will take place at Hatfield Park in its “south” edition on May 23, 2026, is poised to commemorate its 20th anniversary with what the organizers promise will be “the largest and most outstanding Slam Dunk yet.”
Among the highlighted acts is a headline performance by iconic pop-punk band Good Charlotte hailing from Maryland, who will be exclusively headlining in Europe for this event. Additionally, the lineup includes the California-based ska-punk trio, Sublime, making their inaugural appearance in the UK, and a UK-exclusive anniversary show by Taking Back Sunday, honoring two decades since the release of their third studio album, Louder Now.
Expressing their excitement, Good Charlotte expressed, “We are thrilled to return to the UK after a seven-year hiatus and celebrate the 20th anniversary of Slam Dunk. Starting this new chapter of Good Charlotte in the UK promises to be an enjoyable preface for what lies ahead. Some of our most memorable performances have been in the UK, and this one will be no exception.”
Since its inception as a humble gathering in Leeds featuring emo, punk, ska, and metal genres in 2006, the festival has evolved into the UK’s premier independent rock festival. Organized by the team at Slam Dunk Records, the event now draws artists and bands from across the globe.
Further additions to the 2026 lineup include acts like Bury Tomorrow, Cancer Bats, Dashboard Confessional, with more surprises yet to be announced. Ben Ray, the festival founder, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support, stating, “When I initiated the festival 20 years ago, I never imagined reaching this milestone or achieving the scale it has. I am deeply moved by the ongoing backing from the devoted fan base who return every year and the bands that consistently participate. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved.”
Tickets for the festival are set to go on sale on Saturday, September 27, at 10 am through slamdunkfestival.com. Stay tuned for more updates on the event as additional announcements are unveiled.