Slam Dunk Festival has announced the first line-up for its 2026 edition, led by Good Charlotte and Sublime. Find all the details below.
The UK’s biggest independent rock festival will host its 20th anniversary instalments at Hatfield Park, Hertfordshire and Temple Newsam, Leeds on Saturday May 23 and Sunday May 24, respectively.
Good Charlotte will headline the dual event with a European exclusive performance. It’ll also mark the US pop-punk band’s first UK show since they headlined London’s Alexandra Palace in early 2019. They headlined Slam Dunk the previous year. The group released their first album in seven years last month with ‘Motel Du Cap’.
Sublime, meanwhile, are set to play their first-ever show on these shores at next year’s Slam Dunk Festival. Earlier this year, it was revealed that the California ska-punk outfit were working with Travis Barker on their first new album in almost 30 years.
Other acts on the Slam Dunk ’26 bill include the mysterious President (who are believed to be fronted by Busted’s Charlie Simpson), Taking Back Sunday, Dashboard Confessional, Cancer Bats, Motion City Soundtrack, Hawthorne Heights, Driveways and Tonight Alive.
Check out the official line-up poster below.
Good Charlotte said: “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, founder of Slam Dunk, added: “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 the southern and northern editions of Slam Dunk Festival 2026 go on general sale at 10am BST this Saturday (September 27). You’ll be able to buy yours here.
This year’s Slam Dunk hosted the likes of A Day To Remember, Neck Deep and Alkaline Trio. The festival also launched some additional European legs this year, as well as returning to France and Italy
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