2026 sees the Slam Dunk Festival celebrating its 20th anniversary, and to mark the occasion, they’re planning to celebrate in style. Today saw the first 23 names be announced for next year’s late May Bank Holiday gathering. The news is led by headliners Good Charlotte, who will be returning to the UK for the first time in seven years.
“We are excited to come back and play the UK for the first time in 7 years and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Slam Dunk will be a great time. Kicking off this next chapter of GC in the UK this way will be a lot of fun and a great precursor for what is still to come! Some of our fav shows in our career have been in the UK and this will be no exception!” Good Charlotte says in a statement.
With the festival marking two decades, the first wave of names provides plenty of blasts from the past. Taking Back Sunday and Cartel will be getting in on the celebrations as they celebrate 20 years of landmark albums, ‘Louder Now’ and ‘Chroma’ respectively. Motion City Soundtrack will follow up the recently released ‘The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World’ by making a long-overdue return to the UK. Meanwhile, ska/reggae-punk outfit Sublime will be playing their first-ever UK shows at Slam Dunk 2026. There will also be sets from A, Allister, Hawthorne Heights, Dashboard Confessional, Set Your Goals, and Tonight Alive. And it wouldn’t be Slam Dunk without Goldfinger or Zebrahead.
Some of the other names announced today are President, Bury Tomorrow, The Menzingers, Cancer Bats, Stand Atlantic, and unpeople.
On reaching the milestone, Ben Ray, Founder of Slam Dunk Festival said, “When I started the festival 20 years ago, I had no idea it would get to the milestone of 20 years, let alone be the size that it has grown to. I am overwhelmed by the continued support for the event, both from the dedicated fan base who come every single year, to all the bands that keep coming back to play! A massive thank you to all!”
Good Charlotte (European Exclusive)
Sublime (First-ever UK Show)
A
Allister
Broadside
Bury Tomorrow
Cancer Bats
Cartel
Dashboard Confessional
Driveways
Goldfinger
Hawthorne Heights
Motion City Soundtrack
President
Set Your Goals
Stand Atlantic
Taking Back Sunday
The Home Team
The Menzingers
The Suicide Machines
Tonight Alive
Unpeople
Zebrahead
Slam Dunk Festival takes place Hatfield Park on Saturday 23rd May and Leeds Temple Newsam on Sunday 24th May 2026.
Tickets are on sale this Saturday, 27th September, 10am at slamdunkfestival.com.
