Knocked Loose, Malevolence, State Champs and loads more join Slam Dunk 2026

Slam Dunk Festival have added a whole bunch of bands to next year’s line-up, including Knocked Loose, Malevolence, State Champs, VUKOVI, Deaf Havana, Saosin and many more.

October 31, 2025

Words:: Emily Garner
Photo:: Stu Garneys

Slam Dunk have just made a genuinely whopping new 2026 line-up announcement.

The festival – which for its 20th anniversary next year is set to host two side-by-side main stages, dedicated to metalcore, hardcore and post-hardcore with no clashes whatsoever – have added Knocked Loose, Malevolence, State Champs, VUKOVI, Deaf Havana, Static Dress, Saosin, Dying Wish, Heriot, Madina Lake, Pest Control, Trash Boat, SiM and even more. They join everyone from Good Charlotte to Sublime, PRESIDENT, Bury Tomorrow, Taking Back Sunday and Dashboard Confessional.

Recently speaking to K! about their monumental slots, Good Charlotte’s Benji Madden enthused that, “We love the folks at Slam Dunk. Beyond that, it covers all the bases when it comes to different elements and variations within the [alternative] scene. You have pop-punk. You have the new school of hardcore. You have screamo and metalcore. It feels great to see all those facets to be acknowledged. And they do go hand-in-hand. As a fan, I could names from every different area that I love. Slam Dunk has always been about that variety since day one.

“We’re not doing a ton of shows. We’re trying to pick our moments and make them special. In terms of a way to do that while coming back to say ‘Hi!’ to everyone in the UK, there isn’t a stage much better than Slam Dunk. It’s very Good Charlotte!”

Slam Dunk Festival 2026 takes place at Hatfield Park on Saturday, May 23 and Leeds Temple Newsam on Sunday, May 24.