Next year’s Slam Dunk Festival returns for its 20th anniversary across two UK locations: Hatfield Park (South) on Saturday 23 May 2026, and Temple Newsam (Leeds, North) on Sunday 24 May 2026.

To mark the milestone, the festival organisers have revamped the format — adding two brand-new, side-by-side “heavy” stages dedicated entirely to metalcore, hardcore and post-hardcore. The announcement came alongside the release of the video (below) shared across Slam Dunk’s social media channels. The key feature of these stages: no clashes! That means fans of heavier music can catch one set after another without worrying about missing anything due to overlapping times.

Headliners & big draws

So what are the major attractions for next year’s festival? For many, the headline return of Good Charlotte will be a standout moment, marking their first UK appearance in seven years. Their presence adds significant weight to the anniversary edition and is likely to draw long-time fans back to the front of the crowd.

Slam Dunk 2026 also brings two notable milestones. Sublime are set to play their first-ever UK show, offering a rare opportunity to see a band whose legacy stretches far beyond their limited touring history. Meanwhile, Taking Back Sunday join the line-up as they mark two decades of Louder Now, bringing a celebrated chapter of emo and alternative rock firmly back into focus.

A clear step up!

This 20th-anniversary line-up shows that Slam Dunk isn’t just resting on nostalgia. By introducing two parallel heavy stages with no schedule clashes, they’ve clearly upped their game. For lovers of alt-rock, emo, punk and hardcore, this could be one of the most inclusive festivals of the year.

Where previously fans might have had to choose between seeing, say, a melodic punk band or a hardcore set, 2026’s format means you can experience both without compromise. That willingness to cater to multiple sub-scenes underlines Slam Dunk’s ongoing commitment to being a home for the wider alt-music community.