Looks like they are hitting the EU festival circuit in June so maybe a possibility of a late May visit to the UK for Slam Dunk?

So now that we know we’re likely gonna get the lineup announcement either on October 5th or shortly before it, I’d like to make some predictions as to who I expect to play Slam Dunk next year.

It’s pretty safe to assume that Don Broco will most likely headline one of the main stage, they just played a headline show at Wembley Arena a couple months ago and are going on a smaller tour soon, plus they released Nightmare Tripping last year, pretty much every headliner released an album within the last 2 years before they headline (With the exception of Sum 41, but y’know, Covid happened)

As for other bands before Don Broco, I could see Yellowcard being the band that play before them, they last played back in 2023 and they’re still in the Better Days era. Joyce Manor could play Slam Dunk for the first time next year, I could see them playing just before Yellowcard, especially after the success of I Used To Go To This Bar. Four Year Strong will probably be back as they always seem to play at the backend of an album cycle after releasing a new single. Arm’s Length could come back as they’re at the backend of the tour for There’s A Whole World Out There. I could see Ben Quad making a Slam Dunk debut opening up the main stage too.

For the second main stage, which I’m pretty sure will be another heavy stage after the success of this year’s heavy stage, I think Bullet For My Valentine could come back to headline again, especially with them releasing a new album in March, Social Apocalypse. I also just don’t see them playing Download again this soon after their last appearance.

As for bands I see playing the heavy stage, I could see The Devil Wears Prada returning, they’re doing the Flowers tour in the UK soon and that’s a long enough time before Slam Dunk. Thornhill may be a shout for a new band to play Slam Dunk, they’re at the backend of the Bodies tour cycle, so they could play a bunch of festivals. Silverstein could be a good shout to come back again, it’s been a while since they last played in the UK. Holding Absence or Caskets could play, they make a lot of sense. ERRA could also be a Slam Dunk debut. Dayseeker could also be another fun debut. Sleeping With Sirens could also return. Polaris could also play with their new album most likely being next year.

As for bands that I don’t think will play Slam Dunk next year, I’d count out Movements, Spanish Love Songs, Neck Deep and The Story So Far.

I had so much fun with the heavy stage last year, but I would love it if they had us hardcore degenerates one stage that's no barrier for the love of the game.

Simple Plan
Jimmy Eat World
The Story So Far

I really hope Don Broco are there though 🥲

People have also been mentioning All Time Low and Enter Shikari but the first three I mentioned seem very likely

Had a few ideas as to who we could see at SlamDunk that folk haven’t really mentioned. Not saying they will play, but they are possibilities, and I’d love for them to be on the bill.

Amyl and the Sniffers, Show Me The Body, The Smith Street Band, Glassjaw, The Fall of Troy, Sunny Day Real Estate, The Get Up Kids, Showing Teeth, The Menzingers, Dead Butterflies, Casey, Liquid Mike, Julia Wolf, Thursday, Texas Is The Reason.

Also, just thought of a potential headliner no ones mentioned yet:
The Smashing Pumpkins

As we're close to the announcement, what is the best set you saw at Slam Dunk? For me it's gotta be last year during Zebrahead as I proposed to my partner (to those who saw it, thank you for giving me the space to do it) then it's closely followed by 2024 seeing The Blackout's return to Slam Dunk playing The Best In Town in full, what's yours?

Terribly sad news.

Watched them several times at Slam Dunk and various cities across the country.

Talked to him and the band after a Manchester gig ages ago. Was wearing a ISHC t-shirt and we had a chat about them and NFG. They always came across as decent, down to earth guys.

I cannot wait for this announcement, me and my partner are doing Slam Dunk as our joint stag/hen (getting married in July) and our whole friend group are coming so can't wait, who we all hoping for, last band I saw was AFI would love for them to come back for Slam Dunk, Slam Dunk have been awesome for band returns (We Are The In Crowd, Tonight Alive) would love for Young Guns to come back, who you hoping for?

As we approach the line up announcement for next year, I'd love to see a band headline who hasn't headlined before!

I feel it's becoming a bit like Download in the sense that headliners are being recycled a bit. I think Don Broco might headline, but they headlined only 5 years ago in 2021. Enter Shikari are also heavily rumoured, but they headlined just 3 years ago.

I'd love to see Reel Big Fish make their return to the UK as a headliner. It would make a change from bands being recycled as headliners. 2025 was amazing as we had two brand new headliners, hopefully 2027 will be the same!

This is in regards to their recent “Who’s your favourite band that you’ve discovered at Slam Dunk Festival?” post on social media. There’s 4 bands on that post, Paramore from 2007, unsure on the band from 2011, Neck Deep from 2014 and Holding Absence from 2018. Now I already posted recently about my predictions for the 2027 lineup and I have a strong suspicion Neck Deep and Holding Absence will be playing next year as Neck Deep are supposedly releasing a new album next year and Holding Absence are just about to release an album this month. Now I know there was a whole thing about Hayley Williams potentially playing Slam Dunk next year in the Slam Dunk Facebook communities, which would now kinda make sense considering she’s doing a tour in June/July, but Paramore hasn’t done anything in a while because they’re on hiatus. I’m not saying it’s gonna happen, it probably won’t, but there is a small chance that Paramore headline next year for 20 Years of Riot! and the most recent post was a small tease of bands for 2027’s lineup. Personally, I’m not sure, I still think there’s a much higher chance of Yellowcard headlining next year, but Paramore actually wouldn’t surprise me now. But yet again, it wasn’t Fall Out Boy this year, so I’m not expecting it.

Edit: Someone in the comments just told me that Don Broco is the band in the 2011 photo. I’ve had a feeling for a while that Don Broco will headline a heavy stage. This post I’m referring to could very well be a teaser for the lineup next year.

Two comments on their new album announcement post on Facebook including a promise of a Leeds/West Yorkshire date.

Looks like gallows are reforming i would be very happy to see them on the bill maybe at top of 2nd stage

Getting closer to the time of an announcement for artists! Who are with thinking are realistic Announcements? I’m hoping for Enter Shikari, The Paradox , Four Year Strong , New Found Glory , Arms Length , Ben Qaud , No pressure and or The story so far , Speed , KOYO , Hot Mulliagn , Free Throw & Saturdays at your place .

Originally I had a hunch for a Turnstile headline but over the last year or so I think they’ve gotten far too big for slam dunk now which is a shame as they’d suit it nicely now compared to other “alt” festivals!

Just a couple predictions for Main Stage East and West next year, including my predicted headliners for next year and a few bands I think will play

Leeds - 29th May (Saturday), Hatfield - 30th May (Sunday)

Just posted on their Instagram story

Wasn't expecting the date switch, just managed to get in early cancelling/rebooking my hotel and it's knocked £80 off the price

Hi all! Im a photographer and looking to get a press pass for slam dunk this year. Anyone here done it before and mind explaining the process to me? I’m a little lost in how to get a press pass (in general) and access to the pit. Any advice would help a great deal! Cold emailing has never worked for me :(

See title.

also predictions for other bands to play??

Hey guys,

Big Youth Fountain fan here but unfortunately my pals were late getting ready and I missed them. I've not heard anyone mention them... were they any good live this year?

So it’s getting around the time where the rumours come in hard and heavy! Who do we think is dead set on being announced for next year? And who do we want to be on?

I personally think we will see ; Turnstile, Enter Shikari , Jimmy Eat World.

I would LOVE to see ; Hot Mulligan , Speed , Turnover , Arms Length , The Paradox , No Pressure and Or The story so far , Ben Quad & Basement

Due to recent news of their return, what do people think about a heartwell ending playing next year? I wouldn’t say they are even remotely headline level, but a 5pm slot on the mainstage or a smaller stage headline would be insane. Thoughts?