Festival Guide · Heavy Metal · 25th Anniversary · 2026
Bloodstock Open Air 2026
Dates, headliners, full lineup by day and stage, tickets, camping,
travel to Catton Park and RockHeardle band guides — everything you
need to plan the weekend.
Bloodstock Open Air is one of the UK's biggest dedicated heavy
metal festivals. Unlike broader rock events, Bloodstock is built
around metal first — classic heavy metal, extreme metal, thrash,
death metal, metalcore, progressive metal and underground
discoveries across four stages.
Bloodstock 2026 runs
Thursday 6 August to Sunday 9 August at Catton
Park, Walton-on-Trent, Derbyshire. The 2026 edition marks the
festival's 25th anniversary year, making it one
of the most significant editions in the festival's history. The
four Ronnie James Dio Stage headliners are Saxon (Thursday), Lamb
of God (Friday), Slaughter to Prevail (Saturday) and Judas Priest
(Sunday).
Always verify lineup details, stage times and ticket availability
on the official Bloodstock website before booking — information
can change as the festival approaches.
Bloodstock 2026 Headliners
Thursday 6 Aug · Dio Stage
Saxon
British heavy metal legends celebrating Bloodstock's 25th
anniversary. One of the most iconic names in the New Wave of
British Heavy Metal.
No guide yet
Friday 7 Aug · Dio Stage
Lamb of God
Groove metal heavyweights and one of the biggest heavy acts on
the planet. Laid to Rest, Redneck and Walk With Me in Hell in a
festival field.
Russian deathcore titans and one of the most talked-about modern
extreme metal acts. Expect devastating heaviness and a huge
Bloodstock moment.
No guide yet
Sunday 9 Aug · Dio Stage
Judas Priest
Heavy metal royalty closing Bloodstock 2026. Painkiller,
Breaking the Law, Living After Midnight — one of the greatest
closing sets in festival history.
Carpenter Brut200 Stab WoundsMushroomheadDream StateThrown Into ExileNoisepickerTrivaxAlunahFlayed DiscipleAcid Throne
New Blood Stage
Overpower
EMP Stage
AethoriaThe Cartoon CartelFollowing the SignsWrexStitched
Set times not yet confirmed — check the official Bloodstock app
closer to the event.
Best Bands to See at Bloodstock 2026
Sunday Headliner
Judas Priest
Heavy metal royalty closing Bloodstock 2026 — Painkiller,
Breaking the Law, Living After Midnight. One of the greatest
sets of the weekend.
Friday Headliner
Lamb of God
Groove metal heavyweights and a Bloodstock crowd pleaser. Laid
to Rest and Redneck will hit harder in a metal festival field
than anywhere else.
Thursday Headliner
Saxon
A perfect anniversary opener — British heavy metal heritage in
full force for Bloodstock's 25th year. Essential for NWOBHM
fans.
Saturday Headliner
Slaughter to Prevail
One of the heaviest acts on the 2026 bill and a major moment for
modern extreme metal fans. Expect something genuinely crushing.
Friday · Dio Stage
Sepultura
Thrash and groove metal legends on what is rumoured to be one of
their final touring runs — essential viewing for any serious
metal fan.
Sunday · Sophie Stage
Carpenter Brut
Cinematic, dark and electronic — a wildcard Bloodstock pick that
rewards curiosity. Something completely different from the rest
of the Sunday bill.
RockHeardle Band Guides for Bloodstock Acts
Use these guides to discover the Bloodstock bands before the
festival — best songs ranked, essential albums and band history.
Judas PriestLamb of GodSepulturaSaxonSlaughter to PrevailBody CountBlack Label SocietyTestamentMunicipal WasteBiohazardNorthlaneBleed From WithinCryptopsyLeprousCarpenter BrutMushroomhead
Bloodstock 2026 Tickets
🎟 Weekend Camping Tickets
Full festival access plus camping. The most popular ticket type
— best value for the complete Bloodstock experience across all
four days.
🎟 Day Tickets
Single-day access without camping. Best if you want a specific
headliner or don't want the full camping weekend. No campsite
access.
👑 VIP Options
Bloodstock lists VIP camping and upgrade options separately.
Check the official ticket page for current VIP availability and
inclusions.
📋 Ticket Rules
Always read the official ticket terms before purchasing — age
restrictions, re-entry rules and transfer policies can vary year
to year.
Always buy Bloodstock tickets from the official website or
authorised ticket partners only. Check the official site for
current availability — some ticket types can sell out early.
Bloodstock is a camping festival and the campsite is a major part
of the community experience. Because the audience is
metal-focused, many fans treat the weekend as a social gathering
as much as a set of shows — the campsite atmosphere is part of
what makes Bloodstock distinct from bigger mainstream festivals.
Pack for August weather: Catton Park in August
can be hot, muddy, cold overnight and sometimes all three in the
same weekend. Bring layers and a waterproof.
Sleeping gear matters: a good tent, sleeping
bag rated for cold nights and a roll mat make a significant
difference over four days.
Mark your campsite: take a photo of nearby
signs or landmarks when you set up — Bloodstock camping can be
disorienting after dark.
Check campsite rules: food, drink, gas stoves,
glass containers and campsite items may be restricted — check
the official Bloodstock guidelines before packing.
Respect the community: Bloodstock has a
particularly strong metal community feel — look after your space
and your neighbours.
Getting to Bloodstock at Catton Park
🚗 By Car
Nearest postcode DE12 8LN. Plan parking, arrival time and exit
route — festival traffic builds up significantly on main arrival
days. Pre-book parking where possible.
🚂 By Train
Burton upon Trent is the nearest station, served from Birmingham
New Street and Derby. Shuttle buses run from Burton on festival
days — check official Bloodstock travel info.
🚌 By Coach
Organised coach travel from major UK cities is the simplest
option if you don't want to drive. Check the Bloodstock website
for official travel packages.
🚕 By Taxi
Pre-book taxis for arrival and departure. Rural festival sites
can be difficult for last-minute bookings — agree pick-up points
in advance.
Bloodstock Festival 2026 FAQ
When is Bloodstock Festival 2026?
Bloodstock Open Air 2026 runs
Thursday 6 August to Sunday 9 August 2026. It
is the festival's 25th anniversary year. The campsite typically
opens the day before main arena days.
Where is Bloodstock Festival held?
Bloodstock is held at
Catton Park, Walton-on-Trent, Derbyshire —
approximately 8 miles south of Burton upon Trent. Nearest
postcode for sat nav is DE12 8LN.
Yes — Bloodstock is primarily a camping festival. Weekend
camping tickets give access to the campsite from Wednesday or
Thursday. Day tickets are also available but do not include
campsite access. Check the official Bloodstock site for current
ticket types and campsite information.
How do I get to Bloodstock at Catton Park?
By car: nearest postcode DE12 8LN. By train: Burton upon Trent
station with shuttle buses on festival days. By coach: official
travel packages from major UK cities. Pre-plan all travel — the
site is rural and last-minute options are limited.
Is Bloodstock good for metal fans?
Yes — Bloodstock is one of the UK's strongest dedicated heavy
metal festivals, with classic, extreme, underground and modern
heavy bands across four stages. It draws a passionate metal
community and the atmosphere is notably different from broader
rock festivals.
