BLOODSTOCK FESTIVAL 2025 - ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
Copyright: Katja Ogrin
📍Catton Park, Derbyshire
📅 7-10 August 2025
BLOODSTOCK festival returns next week! Here’s a round-up of important info to make sure you make the best of it!
OZZY OZBOURNE MURAL
A striking 17-metre Ozzy tribute wall will now stand beside the main stage, near the charity stands, and BLOODSTOCK invites all fans to leave their heartfelt messages of tribute and condolence. Additional commemorative moments will take place throughout the festival.
LINE-UP NEWS AND STAGE TIMES
BLOODSTOCK regretfully announces that SPIRIT ADRIFT will no longer be performing at this year’s festival. Frontman Nate Garrett has shared the following personal update:
“Hey guys, Nate here. Unfortunately we have a serious medical situation in my family. Sorry to be vague at this time, but it's out of respect for my loved ones. You'll be hearing more solid info at some point, but rest assured there is no feasible way we can responsibly go through with the tour. I promise we'll be back when the time is right, and hopefully with a new record and some new songs to play for you guys. Sorry to let you all down but we'll make it up to you. Thanks for all the support.”
Stepping up to fill the slot are London-based Middle Eastern progressive doom band LOWEN. Their second album, Do Not Go to War With the Demons of Mazandaran, dropped last October via Church Road Records.
📲 Want to know when your favourite bands are hitting the stage?
The all-important stage times will be available exclusively on the official BLOODSTOCK app - so if you haven’t downloaded it yet, head to your App Store now and grab it for free!
FREE PATCHES
Want a free Battle Jackets London x BLOODSTOCK patch for your battle jacket? A limited number will be given away each day of the festival - just track down Louis from Battle Jackets in the main arena to grab yours!
For full details, head over to the official BLOODSTOCK Facebook page.
COLLECT CUPS, donate your tent AND GET PRIZES
Got a knack for collecting? BLOODSTOCK’s popular cup recycling scheme is back - where tidying up earns you epic rewards!
Gather as many BLOODSTOCK paper cups as you can (pro tip: people are much more generous once their drink’s gone), then hand them in at Lemmy’s Bar. In return, you could score free drinks, merch, VIP upgrades, or even the chance to watch a band side of stage!
Help keep the site clean and bag yourself some killer prizes - everyone wins.
Can’t be bothered to pack up your tent (or certain other gear) at the end of the weekend? No worries - do your bit to help keep BLOODSTOCK clean by donating it at one of the designated Tent Donation points.
Your unwanted items can be put to good use, and as a bonus, donating gets you entered into a competition - so you’re doing good and could win something in return!
SIGNING TENT
Curious who's hitting the Signing Tent this year? All will be revealed on 4 August. You can also follow the Facebook page to stay updated!
Bonus tip: Collect enough cups through BLOODSTOCK’s cup recycling scheme (see above) and you might even get to skip the queue. Just another reason to help keep the site clean and score some face time with your favourite artists!
FREE WATER / FOOD / SHOPPING
Stay festival-ready with these essential BLOODSTOCK updates and creature comforts:
💧 Stay Hydrated
There’s free drinking water available at designated points throughout the campsites and main arena—so be sure to bring a refillable non-glass bottle and keep yourself topped up!
🍻 NEW: Black Beer Bar
Fans of darker brews, rejoice! This year introduces a Black Beer Bar in the main arena, serving a variety of rich black beers all weekend long.
🍹 Alcohol-Free Options
Prefer to go booze-free? Look out for Bitburger Zero, Peroni Zero, and Guinness Zero across the site.
🦑 The Kraken Returns
We’re thrilled to confirm the Return of the Kraken! Kraken rum will be pouring at all main bars - plus, brand new this year: the Kraken Slushie! Yes, really. Grab one at the Kraken Cocktail Bar, EMP Bar, or the VIP outside bar.
🌱 Food & Shopping
Hungry? There’s a wide range of food options across the site, including vegan and gluten-free choices.
Fancy a bit of heavy metal retail therapy? Check out the market traders in the main arena for alt clothing, accessories, face painting, jewelry, music, homeware, and more.
🛒 Forgotten Essentials?
No stress - head to the supermarket in the Midgard campsite or the small shop in the main arena. Need last-minute gear or a comfy night’s sleep? Fat Frank’s Camping Store has you covered - and they’ll even inflate your airbed for a bargain.
GAMING ARENA
🎮 Calling all gamers!
BLOODSTOCK 2025 just levelled up: the Gaming Arena is getting a brutal new makeover, thanks to award-winning creative agency Liquid Crimson, who are officially taking the reins and bringing their signature chaos and deep industry know-how to the festival.
Long a sanctuary for metalheads who live for gaming, the Gaming Arena is being reimagined for 2025 by a team that’s spent decades at the crossroads of metal culture and the games industry. Expect playable horror titles, all-weekend tournaments, drop-in sessions, and on-stage insanity - all dialled up to 11.
“Metal and games go hand-in-hand – this is the crossover event we’ve been waiting for,” said Lauran Carter, Comms Director at Liquid Crimson. “We’ve helped launch global games, built festivals from scratch, and now we’re throwing it all into something brutal, built-for-the-people, and 100% BLOODSTOCK.”
With deep roots in game dev and a portfolio spanning AAA releases, cult indies, and wild pop-culture collaborations, Liquid Crimson is building a Gaming Arena that’s equal parts fan-first and ferociously polished.
Here’s what you can expect in the 2025 Gaming Arena:
Playable Games
DOOM (Bethesda)
Two Point Museum + Fantasy Finds DLC (Two Point Studios)
Windblown – a kinetic co-op roguelite from Motion Twin
Neon Abyss – frantic, stylized run-and-gun chaos from Veewo
(Both courtesy of Kepler Interactive)
Live showdowns & tournaments – compete for prizes and bragging rights
Drop-in play sessions – hang out with devs, play your way, cause mayhem
Surprises & chaos – all weekend long
📍 Where to find it: Inside its own dedicated tent in the main arena, running all weekend.
WELFARE
BLOODSTOCK wants you to have an epic weekend full of unforgettable moments - and to stay safe, healthy, and looked after while you're here.
🩺 Feeling unwell or need support?
Head to the Medical / Welfare Tent in the main arena. The team will once again be working alongside 1625OUTREACH, providing extra support if needed.
🗣️ Need to talk?
Visit The Samaritans marquee in the Midgard campsite. They’re available 24/7 throughout the festival for confidential, non-judgemental conversations—no problem too big or small.
💬 BLOODSTOCK is proud to support #SaferSpaces and #AskForAngela – look out for these initiatives around site and don’t hesitate to use them if needed.
🛡️ A few friendly safety reminders:
BLOODSTOCK is a welcoming and safe space, but as with any large event, stay alert for pickpockets, especially in crowds.
Keep an eye on your phone and valuables - don’t leave them in your tent or unattended.
Never leave your drink unattended, and if something feels off, speak to a member of security right away.
We hope you’ll have a fantastic time at BLOODSTOCK 2025!
