Pledge of £1m investment ahead of Big Weekend

1 January 2026

Daniel HollandLocal Democracy Reporting Service

News image — BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend was last in Sunderland in May 2005

BBC A picture taken from the stage of a crowd of people singing and dancing with arms in the air. Several are wearing red and white-striped Sunderland shirts, in one corner there is a couple kissing. A man at the front with short ginger hair is blowing a whistle, there are two young women with blonde hair cheering next to him and many people are clutching plastic drink glasses and bottles. — BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend was last in Sunderland in May 2005

Almost £1m investment has been pledged for a city as it prepares to host Radio 1's Big Weekend.

About 80,000 music lovers are set to descend on Sunderland's Herrington Country Park in May, when the festival makes its return there.

The money from the North East Combined Authority and Sunderland City Councilwill go towards the cost of hosting the event.

It would cover the funding of a week-long fringe festival across the North East, masterclasses to promote careers in the arts and upgrades to the park.

North East mayor Kim McGuinness said the event was "a huge opportunity" for local talent and would provide a multimillion-pound boost for businesses.

North East Combined Authority Kim McGuinness is at a lecturn addressing a room of people. She has long blonde hair and is wearing a navy jacket. — North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said she would invest £495,000 into hosting Radio 1's Big Weekend

The Labour politician said: "We expect the Big Weekend to be worth more than £3.5m to Sunderland and the North East, which is why we're happy to back Sunderland in meeting the local cost of bringing the event to the region."

Her office has pledged to put £495,000 out of a total £975,000 investment into the event, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

McGuinness said it would help build on the region's reputation, after it hosted the Mobo and Mercury Awards in Newcastle in 2025.

She added: "The money we're putting into the Big Weekend will help establish and develop Herrington as a venue for future major events and festivals."

Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.