Image: Slam Dunk 2026 [Official Artwork]
The Slam Dunk Festival in the UK has long become one of Europe’s most important festivals for pop-punk, metalcore, hardcore, and alternative music. Every year, thousands of fans travel to England to experience a packed day full of breakdowns, circle pits, singalongs, and nostalgia. In 2026, the festival returns once again — and with a line-up that will especially excite fans of modern core and punk sounds.
To make sure you’re fully prepared, we’ve put together all the most important information about Slam Dunk Festival 2026 for you.
When And Where Does Slam Dunk Festival 2026 Take Place?
Slam Dunk Festival 2026 will once again take place during the UK’s Late May Bank Holiday weekend and, just like in previous years, will be split across two days and two locations:
Slam Dunk Festival South: Saturday, May 23, 2026 at Hatfield Park in Hatfield
Slam Dunk Festival North: Sunday, May 24, 2026 at Temple Newsam in Leeds
The concept remains the same: every band performs on both days. So if you only attend one of the two festivals, you won’t miss out on any acts.
Both locations have become an essential part of the festival experience over the years and offer plenty of space for multiple stages, food areas, merch stands, and of course lots of great music.
Entry, Organization And Festival Map
The Festival Village opens at 9 AM on both days. There you’ll find food trucks, drink stands, merch booths, seating areas, bars, and chill zones. The main arena opens afterward at 11 AM.
A detailed festival map makes navigating the site much easier. To avoid wasting too much time walking between stages, it’s definitely worth checking the map beforehand to plan your routes. Entrances are also clearly marked, including accessible entrances for visitors with disabilities. You can find all related information here.
By the way: if you’re attending both Slam Dunk editions, there’s a special package that allows you to book transport and accommodation together. More information can be found via this link.
Line-Up And Timetable
Musically, Slam Dunk Festival stays true to itself in 2026 by once again focusing on a strong mix of pop-punk, metalcore, hardcore, and alternative music. Fans of modern core sounds in particular should definitely get their money’s worth. As always, the festival balances nostalgia and modernity perfectly: while some bands have been staples of the scene since the 2000s, many newer acts shaping today’s pop-punk and core landscape are also part of the billing.
This year’s line-up includes acts such as Good Charlotte, Knocked Loose, President, Bury Tomorrow, Malevolence, Currents, and many more. You can find the timetable for both editions here.
And if you’re still looking for the perfect outfit for Slam Dunk, make sure to check out our festival merch page.
Tickets And Age Restrictions
There are no age restrictions. Slam Dunk Festival is an all-ages event. Children under the age of five even receive free admission, although they still require a valid ticket, which can be added during the booking process.
All visitors aged five and above require a regular ticket. However, it’s important to keep in mind that despite the lack of age restrictions, the festival is clearly aimed at fans of the rock, punk, and core scenes. There is no dedicated entertainment program for children on site.
Tickets for both festival days are still available. You can find all ticket options here.
What Can You Bring To The Festival?
A full overview of permitted and prohibited items can be found in the official festival regulations. Like many large festivals, there are security restrictions regarding bags, glass containers, professional cameras, and various other items.
There will also be lockers available on-site for storing your belongings. Booking one in advance is probably not the worst idea, as it helps you avoid long waiting times or sold-out lockers.
Are There Any Afterparties?
Of course! Just like every year, there will once again be official aftershows and parties surrounding the festival in 2026. At this point, they’ve become an essential part of the overall Slam Dunk experience, especially since many fans travel in for the entire weekend and turn the nights after the festival into part of the event itself. You can find an overview here.
Ready For Slam Dunk 2026?
Slam Dunk Festival has become much more than just a one-day music festival. The mix of pop-punk nostalgia, modern hardcore and metalcore acts, and the incredibly welcoming festival atmosphere make it one of the highlights of the year for alternative music fans.
