By Stuart Peach
Slam Dunk Festival have revealed further details around their 2026 lineup, giving a clearer picture of how one of their biggest years to date is shaping up.
Marking the festival’s 20th anniversary, the lineup already stands out as one of their most packed, with Good Charlotte and Knocked Loose as the two main stage headliners across the weekend. Alongside them, the bill spans a wide mix of genres, continuing Slam Dunk’s tradition of blending pop punk, emo, and heavier acts across multiple stages. Good Charlotte headlined back in 2018 and drew a huge crowd (as you’d expect) so it’ll be great to see them back at SD’26.
As always, the festival will take place across its two sites at Hatfield Park and Temple Newsam, with a multi-stage setup that runs throughout the day, with South on May 23rd and North on the 24th. That format allows for a broad lineup, but also means performances are spread out rather than just grouped by genre. This year’s lineup leans heavily into both nostalgia and newer names. Artists like Dashboard Confessional, Motion City Soundtrack, and Hawthorne Heights bring a strong throwback element, reflecting the festival’s long-standing connection to the emo and pop punk scenes. At the same time, newer acts such as Dead Pony, The Home Team, and Dying Wish continue to represent the current wave of the genre.
On the heavier side, bands including Bury Tomorrow, Currents, and Comeback Kid add to the variety, highlighting how Slam Dunk has continued to expand beyond its original pop punk focus over the years and cater to all fans of alternative genres.
There are also a number of special sets confirmed across the weekend. Notably, Cartel are set to perform their album Chroma in full, adding to the list of anniversary moments tied into the festival’s 20th year. President will be playing second to last on the Main Stage East, sure to bring a huge crowd since their inception a year ago.
Overall, the 2026 lineup reflects the breadth that Slam Dunk has built over time, bringing together established names, returning favourites, and newer artists across a full day of performances. With multiple stages running across both sites, the festival continues to offer a wide range of acts for attendees across different parts of the alternative scene.
The lineup for Slam Dunk’s 20th anniversary really has something for everyone and will surely be a typical varied event. Check out the stage splits to start planning your weekend! (Image courtesy of Slam Dunk Festival). Also head over to Slam Dunk to check up on vital info for the event!
