Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 announced for Sunderland

BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 is going to be held in Sunderland, it has been announced.

The annual music festival will take place in the city’s Herrington Country Park from 22 to 24 May next year.

Radio 1 Breakfast Show host Greg James told listeners it was “very exciting for the city” as he revealed the news on air.

Tens of thousands of fans are expected to attend the three-day event, which will feature about 100 acts from international headliners to new emerging artists.

Big Weekend, BBC Radio 1’s flagship event, is held in a new location each year – often in towns and cities which don’t get many big live music events.

In previous years acts such as US pop star Taylor Swift came to Norwich and Swansea, grime star Stormzy performed in Exeter, pop rock band The 1975 in Dundee and US singer Bruno Mars in Londonderry.

Breakfast host Greg said he was excited for the local acts of Sunderland.

“This is one of the great things about the North East,” the presenter said.

“There’s so much good music (that) comes out of the North East, and we’re not just talking about Sam Fender in the last couple of years.

“I mean the heritage of music and bands in that part of the world is unbelievable.”

He was joined by local musician Alex from the band Swindled to announce the location on air, who said: “Everything in the city is just going one way at the minute, with the music and the football club’s doing really well – it’s all positive news really.”

Alex said his band was aiming to perform on the Introducing stage, which platforms up-and-coming talent.

Sunderland last hosted Radio 1’s Big Weekend in May 2005, when the-line up included Gwen Stefani, Foo Fighters and The Black Eyed Peas.

Last year, about 100,000 music fans attended the event in Sefton Park in Liverpool, which was dubbed “Scouse Coachella“.

Tom Grennan, Sam Fender and Mumford & Sons topped the bill, while Ed Sheeran made a surprise appearance and JADE, from Little Mix, got teary on stage.

About 90% of the tickets for the most recent Big Weekend went to locals, but Liverpool City Council had to defend spending £250,000 on hosting the event, saying the funding was from its events budget and the festival was great publicity for the city.

In 2023, the event generated nearly £7m for Luton’s economy following £500,000 of investment.

It has not yet been revealed when tickets will go on sale for the 2026 event and at what price.

Radio 1’s Big Weekend is the latest in a string of music events being held in the north-east of England after the Mercury Prize and Mobo Awards were hosted in Newcastle earlier this year.

Bar worker Matthew Lounton, 20, said it was “about time” more major music events were held in the North East, as he feels the region has been overlooked.

He said Big Weekend coming to his hometown was “absolutely brilliant” and hopes it will showcase the positive atmosphere within the city.

“Honestly I’m over the moon,” he added. “To get more things in Sunderland, it’s absolutely top tier, I couldn’t ask for more.

“I’m absolutely buzzing. I think it will be a great event.”

Daisy Scollen, 19, who uses social media to promote Sunderland’s music scene, said her parents attended the 2005’s Big Weekend and its return next year proves the city is “back on the map”.

Sunderland City Council is working closely with the BBC to make sure it is a “safe, inclusive and enjoyable event”, according to the broadcaster.

Leader of the council, councillor Michael Mordey, said it was “a fantastic opportunity to show people who haven’t been to Sunderland, what a brilliant city it is and how much is happening here”.

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