SLAM DUNK FESTIVAL 2026 - ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
Slam Dunk Festival is officially marking its 20th anniversary, making it one of the most anticipated alternative music events of the summer. As the definitive kickoff to the UK festival season, it brings a packed lineup of pop-punk, emo, metalcore, and ska across two single-day events.
Dates & Locations
Slam Dunk is a split-site festival where the exact same lineup plays both days, swapping locations between the South and North. Slam Dunk South takes place on Saturday, 23rd May 2026, at Hatfield Park in Hatfield. The following day, Sunday, 24th May 2026, the entire festival shifts to Slam Dunk North, hosted at Temple Newsam in Leeds.
Gate & Arena Timings
The day begins early with the Festival Village opening at 9:00 AM. This area hosts food traders, bars, merchandise stands, and seating so you can fuel up before the music begins.
The Main Arena gates open at 11:00 AM, and the first bands of the day will take to the stages shortly after.
Headliners generally wrap up their sets between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM, leading directly into the closing crowds or the official late-night afterparties.
2026 Lineup Highlights & Stage Shakes-Ups
For the 20th anniversary, organizers have introduced side-by-side main stages (Left and Right setups) to minimize downtime between sets, mimicking major European festivals. The Scott's Key Club Stage, renamed this year in honor of the late Leeds Key Club manager Scott Hickinson, is also debuting a rotating stage format to eliminate dead space between acts.
On Main Stage West, fans can witness the anthemic side of the festival. Good Charlotte is performing a massive European exclusive, marking their first UK show in over seven years. They are joined by Sublime, making their first-ever UK appearances fronted by Jakob Nowell, and Taking Back Sunday, who are playing their seminal album Louder Nowfront-to-back for its own 20th anniversary. Other notable acts on this side include Dashboard Confessional, Goldfinger, and Zebrahead.
Over on Main Stage East, things get much heavier. Knocked Loose and Malevolence are co-headlining the heavy stages, representing the absolute best of modern US and UK metalcore. They are backed by a fierce undercard featuring Bury Tomorrow, Comeback Kid, Static Dress, and Dying Wish. Meanwhile, the Monster Energy Stage anchors the classic emo and indie punk crowd, featuring late-day slots from State Champs and Motion City Soundtrack alongside Bayside, The Menzingers, Hawthorne Heights, and Set Your Goals.
Good Charlotte closes the night in a European exclusive performance, fitting for a 20th anniversary bash / Photo: Jen Rosenstein
Travel & Transport
For Slam Dunk South at Hatfield Park, travelling by train is highly recommended. Hatfield Train Station is just a 22-minute direct journey from London King's Cross, and the walk from the station to the pedestrian festival entrance is roughly 900 meters. If you choose to drive, do not rely on your SatNav due to local road closures. Car parking must be pre-booked via See Tickets, as you will be mailed a physical pass to display on your dash. Be prepared for parking on grass lots accessed via bumpy farm tracks.
For Slam Dunk North at Temple Newsam, dedicated shuttle buses run continuously from Leeds City Centre to the festival site from 8:45 AM to 3:00 PM, and return from 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM. For those using drop-offs or taxis, the designated point is at the Go Ape Car Park, which can only be accessed via Temple Newsam Road. Drivers should avoid trying to drop off in the main car park lanes, as they are one-way and will lock egress until later in the evening.
Rules, Restrictions, & Packing Tips
Slam Dunk maintains strict security policies regarding what you can bring into the arena grounds. The bag policy states that all bags must be smaller than A3 size (30cm×42cm×19cm), meaning large hiking rucksacks will be turned away at the gates. Banned items include glass bottles, cans, flasks, professional audio or video recorders (including iPads and tablets), selfie sticks, large umbrellas, tents, and flags.
When it comes to age limits, Slam Dunk is an all-ages festival. Children under 5 get in free, though you must remember to add a free under-5s ticket to your online order. Anyone aged 5 or older requires a standard ticket. Keep in mind that there is no dedicated children's entertainment on-site, as this is a pure rock show environment.
Full terms: https://www.slamdunkfestival.com
That's the essentials. Twenty years of Slam Dunk - see you in the pit!
