It has become a Bloodstock Open Air Festival tradition to announce the first name for next year’s event as the current festival is ongoing. So like clockwork, the organisers have announced several bands for 2026, including the three Ronnie Jame Dio stage headliners. They are Lamb of God, Judas Priest, and Slaughter To Prevail.
On returning to Bloodstock, Lamb of God frontman D. Randall Blythe states, “We are thrilled to return to headline Bloodstock in 2026! The UK is one of our favourite countries in the world to play and Bloodstock is one of our favourite festivals. And to Bloodstock security… I will make sure I have my pass on me at all times. See you next August!”
Today’s announcement also sees Sepultura, Bleed From Within, Orbit Culture, Biohazard, Northlane, Death Angel, Vended, Life Of Agony, Imperial Age, and The Scratch playing the festival’s main stage next summer.
Cryptopsy, Wednesday 13, Leprous, and Carpenter Brut will headline the Sophie Lancaster stage across four days. It will feature performances from Nevermore, 200 Stab Wounds, Shining, The Hell, Heavysaurus, and Black Spiders.
Heavy Metal Truants Heads to Bloodstock for the First Time
In additional news, cycling charity, Heavy Metal Truants, will celebrate Bloodstock‘s 25th anniversary by doing its annual charity journey to the festival for the first time. The charity has become known for its yearly voyage from London to the Download Festival.
“Heavy Metal Truants is more than a cause – it’s a family, and our success and longevity is testament to the power of this metal community which we are so proud to be a part of,” said Heavy Metal Truants co-founder Alexander Milas . “The help and generosity we’ve had from our friends at Download Festival has been nothing less than legendary, but after 13 years, the timing felt right to carry the torch to new, hallowed ground. The response from Bloodstock when we floated the idea was nothing short of phenomenal.”
When and Where is Bloodstock 25th Anniversary?
Bloodstock 2026 will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 6th – 9th August, 2026.
Early bird tickets for 2026 are available now at the box office on-site,. Weekend (Thu – Sun) early bird tickets are priced at £185 and with no booking fee! Child (age 4-11) weekend early birds are £50. Children under 4 attend for free.
For those wanting early access from Wednesday, tickets cost £215. There is no additional cost for children under 4, or aged 4-11, to arrive with a parent on Wednesday.
Early bird tickets will be available online from 9am on Monday, August 11th. The organisers have stated, once early bird tickets sell out, adult standard weekend tickets will increase to £210 + fees, and child weekend tickets will rise to £69 + fees.
