Slam Dunk Festival celebrates 20 years with its biggest lineup yet—Knocked Loose, Good Charlotte, Sublime, and over 40 more acts will ignite Hatfield and Leeds next May. Two new heavy stages promise nonstop chaos with zero set clashes.

From its humble beginnings as a Leeds club night in 2001 to becoming the UK’s biggest independent rock festival, Slam Dunk has always been about community, chaos, and cathartic riffs. Now, in 2026, the festival celebrates its 20th anniversary with a lineup that’s nothing short of monumental—bringing together genre-defining legends, rising stars, and a brand-new stage setup that promises wall-to-wall energy.

Dates & Venues

Saturday 23rd May – Hatfield Park (South)
Sunday 24th May – Leeds Temple Newsam (North) Tickets are on sale now at slamdunkfestival.com

In a move that’s set to thrill metalcore and hardcore fans, Slam Dunk introduces two side-by-side main stages dedicated to metalcore, hardcore, and post-hardcore—with zero set clashes. That means fans can catch every breakdown, blast beat, and guttural scream without missing a moment.

Headlining these stages are:

Knocked Loose – Kentucky’s hardcore juggernauts, known for their feral live shows and genre-defining tracks like Counting Worms.
Malevolence – Sheffield’s groove-metal titans, fresh off their 2025 release Where Only The Truth Is Spoken.
Bury Tomorrow, Cancer Bats, and President round out the chaos.

Beyond the heavy stages, Slam Dunk 2026 delivers a genre-spanning feast:

Good Charlotte – Returning to the UK for the first time in seven years.
Sublime – Playing their first-ever UK show, continuing the legacy with Jakob Nowell.
Taking Back Sunday, Dashboard Confessional, State Champs, Boston Manor, and Saosin bring the emo and pop-punk nostalgia.
Rising acts like Beauty School, Call Me Amour, and Pest Control represent the next wave of UK alt-rock.

Other highlights include:

Deaf Havana celebrating 15 years of Fools and Worthless Liars
Dying Wish, Currents, Comeback Kid, and Heriot delivering metalcore mayhem
Origami Angel, Trash Boat, Static Dress, and Youth Fountain adding emotional depth and sonic variety

Since its first festival in 2006 (headlined by Fall Out Boy), Slam Dunk has hosted icons like Paramore, Enter Shikari, Sum 41, and NOFX. Now, 20 years on, it continues to champion both legacy acts and underground heroes, proving that the UK’s alternative scene is as vibrant and vital as ever.

Slam Dunk 2026 is a celebration of two decades of sweat, sound, and subculture. Whether you’re moshing to Knocked Loose, singing along with Good Charlotte, or discovering your new favourite band, this year’s edition promises to be the destination for alt-music lovers across the UK.

Slam Dunk Festival returns to Hatfield Park on Saturday 23rd May and Leeds Temple Newsam on Sunday 24th May 2026. Tickets are on sale NOW at www.slamdunkfestival.com.