This morning on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, Greg James revealed that Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 will be held in Herrington Country Park, Sunderland, from Friday 22 May to Sunday 24 May.
Over the course of the weekend, around 100 acts will perform, from the biggest names in music to exciting new and emerging artists. With around 80,000 music fans expected to attend, the event promises to be an unforgettable start to the UK’s festival season.
Radio 1’s Big Weekend, the station’s flagship live music event, brings some of the biggest UK and international artists to locations across the country that may not otherwise host such a large-scale event. From Taylor Swift in Norwich to 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 at this year’s event, music fans across the UK have seen superstar acts perform on their doorstep.
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The festival annually shines a light on its host city and provides a major boost to the local economy, with previous events generating millions of pounds for host cities across the UK and tickets selling out almost immediately every year.
This year, the BBC is working closely with Sunderland City Council to ensure that Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 is a safe, inclusive and enjoyable event for everyone attending.
James said: “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, added: “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, said that the event would add further bite to the city’s Music City status: “With our vibrant music scene, Music City status, and fantastic track record for hosting world class events, we can’t wait to welcome the Big Weekend to Sunderland,” he said. “Opportunities like this can bring real benefits, from increased visitor numbers and spend to creating a buzz for residents and visitors 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 information about Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026, including headliners, full line-up and ticketing details will be announced on Radio 1 in the coming months.
BBC Radio 1 will broadcast live from the festival site across the weekend, with performances and highlights available live and on demand across Radio 1’s iPlayer channel and BBC Sounds.
