Big Weekend 2026 - General FAQs

Radio 1’s Big Weekend is organised in partnership by the BBC and Sunderland City Council.

Radio 1’s Big Weekend will be held at Herrington Country Park, in Sunderland.

Friday 22nd, Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th May 2026.

All event times will be confirmed in due course.

General Admission capacities for this event will be confirmed in due course.

Details of how to purchase tickets will be announced by the BBC in March 2026. As in previous years, tickets for this event will be geographically weighted with the majority share ringfenced for local people.

Age restrictions for Radio 1’s Big Weekend will be shared in due course.

Anyone living or operating a business in close proximity to Herrington Country Park and wanting to attend the event will need to follow the standard ticket purchase process – full ticketing information will be shared by the BBC in March 2026.

There will be a Drop In Session organised prior to the event, giving residents and local business owners the chance to speak to representatives from Sunderland City Council, the BBC and other key stakeholders involved in the organisation of the event. More details will be provided in due course.

The event will operate under an existing Premises Licence for Herrington Country Park and will adhere to the conditions of this licence. It is being organised by a team with a long track record of delivering major live music festivals and events across the UK and internationally, and a dedicated noise management team will be in place to manage this area.

There will be a dedicated helpline for any residents with any concerns including noise during the event, this phone number will be made available nearer the time.

There will be a comprehensive cleansing plan in place in the run up to, during and after the three-day festival, which will see that the park is kept clean and tidy.

It is the aim of the event organisers to minimise disruption as much as possible for regular users of Herrington Country Park whilst also adhering to Health & Safety legislation to keep everyone safe. In the lead up to the event and during the breakdown there will be some restricted areas as the event site is built / taken down.

Full information regarding accessible facilities available at this event and how ticketholders can register for these will be shared on bbc.co.uk/bigweekend in March 2026.

There will be no camping permitted within Herrington Country Park.

Only assistance dogs will be allowed for pre-registered access customers who have purchased tickets – full details on how to register for this will be made available via bbc.co.uk/bigweekend in due course.

Further details regarding volunteering opportunities will be shared in due course.

Details of all artists performing at this event will be available on bbc.co.uk/big weekend in due course.

The line-up for Radio 1 Big Weekend is curated by the Network’s Music Programming Team and will feature Artists from the Radio 1 playlist.

For bands wanting to perform on the BBC introducing stage which is for new and upcoming artists , the best way forward would be to send your music to the BBC Introducing uploader
https://www.bbc.co.uk/introducing

Uploaded tracks get sent to the BBC's local radio shows where they get listened to by a team of local presenters and producers. If they like them the tracks could get broadcast on those local stations and even propelled onto the national stage through BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, 6 Music, Radio 3, Asian Network and World Service.

To note, any artist under the age of 16 would need a family member, guardian or carer to upload on their behalf.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/usingthebbc/terms-of-use/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/usingthebbc/privacy-policy/

Full event information will be published on www.bbc.co.uk/bigweekend in March. Follow Radio 1 on Instagram and X for all the latest updates.

Queries from local residents and businesses please use contact forms on www.mysunderland/BBCbigweekend

Enquires from food traders should be directed to [email protected]