The Saturday lineup for BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend 2026 has been revealed, featuring Zara Larsson as headliner alongside Louis Tomlinson, Ellie Goulding, and Lola Young on the main stage. The festival returns to Sunderland's Herrington Country Park from May 22 to 24, building on the previously announced dance-focused Friday headlined by Fatboy Slim. Tickets for Saturday and Sunday go on sale March 11 at 5pm, with priority for local residents.
BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend 2026 will take place at Herrington Country Park in Sunderland from Friday, May 22, to Sunday, May 24. The event, which last visited Sunderland in 2005 with acts like Foo Fighters and Gwen Stefani, expects over 100,000 attendees across three stages: the Main Stage, New Music Stage, and BBC Introducing Stage.
Saturday's Main Stage features Zara Larsson as headliner, known for her 2016 hit "Lush Life" and current track "Midnight Sun." Joining her are Louis Tomlinson, who is releasing new music this year; Ellie Goulding; Lola Young, a recent Grammy winner who returned to performing after a break; Nothing But Thieves; Skye Newman; Jeremiah Asiamah; Maia Beth; and hosts including Ricky Haywood-Williams and Melvin Odoom, Charlie Hedges, Dean McCullough, Nat O'Leary, and Vicky Hawkesworth.
The New Music Stage on Saturday will host James Blake, Rachel Chinouriri, Florence Road, Erin LeCount, Wasia Project, MUNA, and Mitski, with additional acts like Sarah Story. BBC Introducing performers include Bella Barbe, BombayMami, Heidi Curtis, LeoStayTrill, Aaron Rowe, Tom A Smith, and Swindled.
No acts have been announced for Sunday yet, with details expected on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show on March 10. Tickets for Friday are already on sale, while Saturday and Sunday general admission costs £44.50, with VIP at £106. To ensure accessibility, 30 percent of tickets are reserved for Sunderland residents, 60 percent for the surrounding NECA region, and 10 percent for the rest of the UK. Attendees can purchase up to two tickets per day but are limited to Friday plus one weekend day.
