Over the past two decades, the Slam Dunk Festival has risen to become a highlight of the UK’s festival calendar. From what started as an all-dayer in Leeds’ Millennium Square, to becoming a dual-site, and for a few years, a three-site event, Slam Dunk has become a recognised name in rock, metal, pop-punk, emo, and beyond.
This year’s event once again sees Slam Dunk taking place over the late May Bank Holiday weekend. As always, it’ll be split between the South and the North with 50 acts across six stages. With 2026 marking the 20th anniversary of SDF, they’ve booked a stacked line-up that defines what the festival is all about in recent years; putting the spotlight on the best and brightest in alternative music. You’ve got your Slam Dunk regulars, arena-bothering headliners, up-and-coming names, and a dose of nostalgia threaded throughout. A handful of bands will be getting in the celebratory mood with multiple album anniversaries scattered throughout this year’s bill.
For a festival marking two decades, there’s plenty to celebrate across every corner of the site. Here’s what each stage has in store.
Main Stage West
In recent years, SDF has grown so large that it now has two main stages. The East side will be hosting some heavyweights; its West counterpart promises to be a reminder of where Slam Dunk started, putting emo, pop-punk, and ska punk front and centre.
Good Charlotte will be on hand to deliver an abundance of anthems to close the festival. Before them, Main Stage West will host some of the best emo, pop-punk, and ska punk bands to ever do it. We’re talking Slam Dunk mainstays Goldfinger and Zebrahead, heart-tugging emo anthems from Dashboard Confessional, the live UK debut of ska and reggae punks, Sublime, and ‘A’ flying the UK rock flag. The day will kick off with two of the UK’s gems in Unpeople and Beauty School. The former has become a standout at many festivals in the past.
For some, including us, witnessing Taking Back Sunday performing 2006’s ‘Louder Now’ album in full is sure to be a highlight.
Recommended Viewing:
Good Charlotte 9pm – 10:20pm
Taking Back Sunday: 6:05pm – 7:05pm
Unpeople 12:35pm – 1:10pm
Beauty School 11:40am – 12:10pm
Stage Times
| Artist | Time |
|---|---|
| Good Charlotte | 21:00 – 22:20 |
| Sublime | 19:30 – 20:30 |
| Taking Back Sunday | 18:05 – 19:05 |
| Dashboard Confessional | 16:55 – 17:40 |
| Goldfinger | 15:45 – 16:30 |
| Zebrahead | 14:40 – 15:20 |
| ‘A’ | 13:35 – 14:15 |
| unpeople | 12:35 – 13:10 |
| Beauty School | 11:40 – 12:10 |
Main Stage East
For years, Slam Dunk has been pigeonholed as a punk and emo festival. However, there’s always been a heavy element, and for 2026, they’re going all in. Main Stage East is going to be split into two, with a relentless run of bands. From visceral headliners Knocked Loose and Steel City mob Malevolence topping the bill, Main Stage East is set up to be a celebration of metalcore and hardcore.
Names such as Bury Tomorrow, Cancer Bats, Comeback Kid, and Heriot are no strangers to the Slam Dunk masses. There are also the likes of President, Guilt Trip, Static Dress, and Pest Control to show what the UK has to offer. You’ve also got sets from Currents, Dying Wish, Saosin, and Angel Du$t adding to the chaos.
Recommended Viewing:
Knocked Loose 9:05pm – 10:05pm
Bury Tomorrow 7:05pm – 7:55pm
Saosin 4:10pm – 4:45pm
Static Dress 2:50pm – 3:25pm
Stage Times
| Artist (Left) | Time | Artist (Right) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knocked Loose | 21:05 – 22:05 | ||
| Malevolence | 20:05 – 20:55 | ||
| Bury Tomorrow | 19:05 – 19:55 | ||
| President | 18:15 – 18:55 | ||
| Currents | 17:30 – 18:10 | ||
| Comeback Kid | 16:50 – 17:25 | ||
| Saosin | 16:10 – 16:45 | ||
| Guilt Trip | 15:30 – 16:05 | ||
| Static Dress | 14:50 – 15:25 | ||
| Dying Wish | 14:10 – 14:45 | ||
| Cancer Bats | 13:30 – 14:05 | ||
| Angel Du$t | 12:50 – 13:25 | ||
| Heriot | 12:15 – 12:45 | ||
| Pest Control | 11:40 – 12:10 |
Monster Energy Stage
If Main Stage West wasn’t enough to get your fill of nostalgic pop-punk and emo, the Monster Energy Stage has you covered. State Champs, The Menzingers, Stand Atlantic, Hawthorne Heights, Bayside, and Set Your Goals have all left their mark on Slam Dunk in the past. Meanwhile, Tonight Alive, Motion City Soundtrack, Madina Lake, and A Loss For Words will all be making rare visits to the UK, as will Cartel, who will be celebrating 20 years of ‘Chroma’.
Another band marking their appearance with an anniversary set will be Boston Manor. It’s somehow already been a decade since they released their debut full-length, ‘Be Nothing.’ Although they have considerably evolved their sound since its 2016 release, it’s still remembered as a highlight of the UK’s 2010s pop-punk scene.
Recommended Viewing
Motion City Soundtrack 7:10pm – 8pm
The Menzingers 5:30pm – 6:15pm
Boston Manor 4pm – 4:40pm
Monster Energy Stage
| Artist (Left) | Time | Artist (Right) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Champs | 20:05 – 20:55 | ||
| Motion City Soundtrack | 19:10 – 20:00 | ||
| Tonight Alive | 18:20 – 19:05 | ||
| The Menzingers | 17:30 – 18:15 | ||
| Stand Atlantic | 16:45 – 17:25 | ||
| Boston Manor | 16:00 – 16:40 | ||
| Cartel | 15:15 – 15:55 | ||
| Set Your Goals | 14:35 – 15:10 | ||
| Hawthorne Heights | 13:55 – 14:30 | ||
| Bayside | 13:15 – 13:50 | ||
| Madina Lake | 12:40 – 13:10 | ||
| A Loss For Words | 12:05 – 12:35 | ||
| Youth Fountain | 11:30 – 12:00 |
Scott’s Key Club Stage
Renamed in honour of Scott Hickinson, the manager of Leeds’ The Key Club venue and a vital member of the Slam Dunk team, Scott’s Key Club Stage will consist of non-stop music with a rotating stage.
Spanning several eras of Slam Dunk‘s 20 years, its bill exemplifies how varied the festival has become. From Vukovi‘s infectious brand of alt-rock to pop-punk jams courtesy of Drive-Thru Records vets Allister and cover specialists Punk Rock Factory, to versatile emo punk from Origami Angel and ska-punk from The Suicide Machines. Japan’s SiM will also be making an appearance, bringing their ska and reggae-infused brand of metal.
It also puts the spotlight on up-and-coming names such as Dead Pony, The Home Team, Driveways and Call Me Amour. They’ll be sharing the stage with some SDF favourites, some of whom will be following the album anniversary trend. First up, Trash Boat will celebrate 10 years of ‘Nothing I Write You Can Change What You’ve Been Through’. The stage will be closed by Deaf Havana performing ‘Fools and Worthless Liars’ in full as it celebrates its 15th birthday.
Recommended Viewing
Vukovi 7:15pm – 7:55pm
Punk Rock Factory 5:15pm – 5:50pm
origami angel 3:55pm – 4:30pm
Dead Pony 12:15pm – 12:45pm
Scott’s Key Club Stage
| Artist | Time |
|---|---|
| Closing Party | 22:15 – 23:00 |
| Deaf Havana | 20:05 – 20:55 |
| Vukovi | 19:15 – 19:55 |
| The Suicide Machines | 18:35 – 19:10 |
| Allister | 17:55 – 18:30 |
| Punk Rock Factory | 17:15 – 17:50 |
| The Home Team | 16:35 – 17:10 |
| origami angel | 15:55 – 16:30 |
| Trash Boat | 15:15 – 15:50 |
| Hands Like Houses | 14:35 – 15:10 |
| Driveways | 14:00 – 14:30 |
| Broadside | 13:25 – 13:55 |
| SiM | 12:50 – 13:20 |
| Dead Pony | 12:15 – 12:45 |
| Call Me Amour | 11:40 – 12:10 |
Slam Dunk Festival takes place Hatfield Park on Saturday 23rd May and Leeds Temple Newsam on Sunday 24th May 2026.
Visit slamdunkfestival.com for ticket information and more.
