Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 to happen in Sunderland

This morning on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, Greg James revealed that Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 shall be held in Herrington Country Park, Sunderland, from Friday 22 May – Sunday 24 May 2026.

Over the course of the weekend, round 100 acts will carry out – from the most important names in music to thrilling new and rising artists. With round 80,000 music followers anticipated to attend, the occasion guarantees to be an unforgettable begin to the UK’s pageant season.

Radio 1’s Big Weekend, the station’s flagship reside music occasion, brings among the greatest UK and worldwide artists to places throughout the nation that will not in any other case host such a large-scale occasion. From Taylor Swift in Norwich, Miley Cyrus in Middlesbrough, Stormzy in Exeter, Lana Del Rey in Hull, Ed Sheeran in Coventry, Bruno Mars in Derry/Londonderry, The 1975 in Dundee, Sabrina Carpenter in Luton, and Sam Fender in Liverpool, music followers throughout the UK have seen celebrity acts carry out on their doorstep.

The pageant shines a lightweight on its host metropolis and gives a significant enhance to the native financial system, with earlier occasions producing hundreds of thousands of kilos for host cities throughout the UK and tickets promoting out nearly instantly yearly.

This 12 months, the BBC is working intently with Sunderland City Council to make sure that Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 is a protected, inclusive and gratifying occasion for everybody attending.

Greg James says: “Radio 1 is going back to the glorious North East! The best nights out by far. I started my radio career there, some of my favourite artists are from there and I can’t wait to be adopted as a Mackem next summer.”

Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, says: “Radio 1’s Big Weekend is one of the most anticipated moments in our calendar and we’re thrilled to be bringing it to the North East in 2026. I’m excited not only to bring some of the biggest names in music to the area, but also to provide a platform for new local talent to be heard across Radio 1.”

Councillor Michael Mordey, Leader of Sunderland City Council, says: “It’s good to be internet hosting Radio 1’s Big Weekend. With our vibrant music scene, Music City standing, and improbable monitor file for internet hosting world class occasions, we will’t wait to welcome the Big Weekend to Sunderland.

“Opportunities like this may convey actual advantages, from elevated customer numbers and spend to making a buzz for residents and guests alike.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to show people who haven’t been to Sunderland, what a brilliant city it is and how much is happening here.”

Further details about Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026, together with headliners, full line-up and ticketing particulars shall be introduced on Radio 1 within the coming months.

BBC Radio 1 will broadcast reside from the pageant website throughout the weekend, with performances and highlights accessible reside and on demand throughout Radio 1’s iPlayer channel and BBC Sounds.

FM2

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