For the first time since 2019, BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend is taking place in the North East, as it has been announced that Sunderland will host 2026’s event.
The 3 day festival is set to take place from the 22nd to the 24th of May, returning to Herrington Country Park.
Over 100 acts are to take to the stage, with approximately 80,000 fans estimated to attend over the course of the weekend.
Ticket prices are yet to be announced, but recent tickets for the event have started at £33 on Ticketmaster, with priority given to local residents.
Attendees of 2005’s event watched headliners The Black Eyed Peas and Foo Fighters, with recent years featuring the likes of Sam Fender, the 1975 and Coldplay. There is no lineup news for 2026 as of yet.
We sat down with local band Swindled, to talk about the big announcement, and it’s potential impact on the local area and musicians.
