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Slam Dunk Festival 2026

Slam Dunk Festival returns in May 2026 for a huge pop punk, emo, punk rock, ska, hardcore and metalcore weekend. This guide covers the South and North dates, locations, lineup, festival poster, bands playing, tickets, travel and FAQs — with RockHeardle band links so you can discover the artists before the day.

View Lineup Bands Playing Tickets + Travel
Slam Dunk Festival crowd and alternative music stage
SouthHatfield Park · 23 May 2026
NorthTemple Newsam, Leeds · 24 May 2026
FormatOne-day festival at each site
Best ForPop punk, emo, punk, ska and metalcore

What is Slam Dunk Festival?

Slam Dunk Festival is one of the UK’s biggest alternative music festivals, especially for fans of pop punk, emo, punk rock, ska, hardcore and metalcore. It is known for stacked one-day lineups, scene favourites and fast-moving stage clashes.

Slam Dunk 2026 takes place at Hatfield Park for the South date on Saturday 23 May and Temple Newsam, Leeds for the North date on Sunday 24 May. The official information says all artists perform both days, so fans can choose the site that works best for them.

Unlike camping-heavy festivals such as Download or Bloodstock, Slam Dunk is mainly a day festival. That makes travel planning, stage choices, set times and comfortable shoes especially important.

Slam Dunk Festival 2026 Poster

Slam Dunk Festival 2026 lineup poster

Slam Dunk Festival 2026 Lineup by Stage

Click a festival site below. The official information says the artists perform both days, so the same stage breakdown works for South and North unless stage times change. Linked artists open RockHeardle band pages where available.

Main Stage West

Good Charlotte Sublime Taking Back Sunday Dashboard Confessional Goldfinger Zebrahead A unpeople Beauty School

Main Stage East

Knocked Loose Bury Tomorrow Malevolence President Currents Comeback Kid Saosin Static Dress Cancer Bats Heriot Guilt Trip Dying Wish Angel Du$t Pest Control

Monster Energy Stage

State Champs Motion City Soundtrack Tonight Alive The Menzingers Stand Atlantic Boston Manor Cartel Set Your Goals Hawthorne Heights Bayside Madina Lake A Loss for Words Youth Fountain

Scott's Key Club Stage

Deaf Havana Vukovi The Suicide Machines Allister Punk Rock Factory The Home Team Origami Angel Trash Boat Hands Like Houses Driveways Broadside SiM Dead Pony Call Me Amour

Same Lineup · Temple Newsam, Leeds

Slam Dunk’s official info says all artists perform on Saturday at Hatfield Park and then again on Sunday at Temple Newsam, Leeds. Use the same stage sections above for the North date, then check the official app and stage times before travelling.

Good Charlotte Sublime Taking Back Sunday Knocked Loose Bury Tomorrow State Champs Motion City Soundtrack Dashboard Confessional Goldfinger Boston Manor

Stage times and final running orders can change. Use this as a fan-friendly guide and check the official Slam Dunk app or website before travelling.

Bands Playing Slam Dunk Festival 2026

Slam Dunk is a great festival for discovering pop punk, emo, punk, hardcore and metalcore bands. Use these links to learn the lineup before the day.

Good Charlotte Band guide Taking Back Sunday Band guide Bury Tomorrow Band guide Boston Manor Band guide Sublime Lineup artist Knocked Loose Lineup artist Dashboard Confessional Lineup artist Motion City Soundtrack Lineup artist State Champs Lineup artist Goldfinger Lineup artist Hawthorne Heights Lineup artist Saosin Lineup artist Cancer Bats Lineup artist The Menzingers Lineup artist Stand Atlantic Lineup artist Tonight Alive Lineup artist

Best Bands to See at Slam Dunk 2026

The best acts depend on your taste, but these are strong starting points when planning your day.

Good CharlotteBest for pop punk nostalgia, huge choruses and one of the biggest names on the 2026 poster.
SublimeBest for ska-punk, reggae rock and a rare chance to see a major name in the Slam Dunk setting.
Taking Back SundayBest for emo singalongs and one of the most recognisable alternative bands on the bill.
Knocked LooseBest for heavy music fans who want one of the most intense sets of the weekend.
State ChampsBest for modern pop punk hooks and festival-ready choruses.
Bury TomorrowBest for UK metalcore fans and a heavier way to end the day.

Slam Dunk Festival 2026 Tickets

Slam Dunk ticket options can include South tickets, North tickets, VIP options and official extras depending on availability. Because the festival runs at two different sites, make sure you buy the correct location for your travel plans.

South ticketsFor Hatfield Park on Saturday 23 May 2026.
North ticketsFor Temple Newsam, Leeds on Sunday 24 May 2026.
VIP ticketsCheck official ticket pages for available VIP or upgrade options.
Correct siteDouble-check your location before buying because South and North are different events.

Travel to Slam Dunk Festival

Travel is one of the most important parts of Slam Dunk planning because it is mainly a day festival. Plan how you will get there and how you will get home before the headliner finishes.

Slam Dunk SouthHeld at Hatfield Park, Hatfield. Check official South travel guidance before booking trains, parking or coaches.
Slam Dunk NorthHeld at Temple Newsam, Leeds. Check official North travel information for shuttle, parking and public transport details.
After the festivalExpect queues and busy transport after the final bands. Save battery for maps, tickets and travel.
Meeting pointsAgree a meeting point with friends in case phone signal is poor.

First Time at Slam Dunk?

Slam Dunk is a great first festival because it is mainly a one-day event, but it can feel intense because there are lots of clashes and stages. Pick your must-see bands early, wear comfortable shoes and do not try to sprint between every set.

New to festivals? Read the first time festival guide and the festival packing list before you go.

Slam Dunk Festival 2026 FAQs

When is Slam Dunk Festival 2026?Slam Dunk South takes place at Hatfield Park on Saturday 23 May 2026. Slam Dunk North takes place at Temple Newsam, Leeds on Sunday 24 May 2026.
Where is Slam Dunk Festival?Slam Dunk South is at Hatfield Park. Slam Dunk North is at Temple Newsam in Leeds.
Do all bands play both Slam Dunk dates?Yes. The official Slam Dunk information says all artists perform on Saturday at Hatfield Park and again on Sunday at Temple Newsam, Leeds.
Is Slam Dunk a camping festival?Slam Dunk is mainly a day festival, so most visitors plan travel or accommodation rather than a full camping weekend.
What music is Slam Dunk best for?Slam Dunk is best for pop punk, emo, punk rock, ska, hardcore, metalcore and alternative scene bands.
How should I plan Slam Dunk clashes?Pick your top must-see bands first, then use the official set times to plan realistic stage moves.