Here’s to twenty-five years of blood, sweat, and riffs. In 2026, BLOODSTOCK Open Air celebrates its landmark 25th anniversary, promising the biggest and most ambitious edition in the festival’s history. Returning to Catton Park, Derbyshire from 6–9 August 2026, BLOODSTOCK once again unites the global grassroots and metal community for four days of world-class performances, emerging talent, charity initiatives and the unrivalled atmosphere that has made it Britain’s premier independent heavy metal festival.
Leading the charge on the Ronnie James Dio Stage are four titans of heavy music. Headliners this year include Lamb of God, Slaughter To Prevail and the legendary heavy metal pioneers Judas Priest, while British metal royalty Saxon complete an extraordinary anniversary headlining bill. Meanwhile, the Sophie Lancaster Stage showcases an equally diverse line-up with Cryptopsy, Wednesday 13, Leprous, and Carpenter Brut closing each evening. Across the weekend, fans can also witness performances from dozens more established favourites, underground heroes and rising stars, with further artists still to be announced.
Since its beginnings, BLOODSTOCK has grown from a boutique indoor event into one of Europe’s most respected heavy metal festivals, renowned for championing new talent alongside legendary artists. The festival’s celebrated Metal 2 The Masses initiative once again brings the next generation of heavy music to Catton Park, giving grassroots bands the opportunity to perform on one of metal’s biggest stages. The festival also continues its longstanding support of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, helping tackle prejudice and intolerance through education, while welcoming Heavy Metal Truants as a charity partner for 2026. Participants in the annual fundraising cycle will once again ride into BLOODSTOCK to raise vital funds for children’s charities before enjoying a hero’s welcome at the festival gates.
Weekend tickets for BLOODSTOCK 2026 (including Kyrr Camping) have now completely sold out, underlining the excitement surrounding the festival’s silver anniversary. A limited allocation of day tickets (£99 plus booking fees) remains available, providing newcomers and returning fans alike with the opportunity to experience one of the UK’s premier heavy music events. Child tickets are also available, with children under four admitted free.
With a quarter-century of unforgettable performances behind it and one of the strongest line-ups in its history ahead, BLOODSTOCK Open Air 2026 is set to be a celebration worthy of its legacy.
BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2026
Catton Park, Derbyshire
6–9 August 2026
10 ACTS YOU CANNOT MISS AT BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2026
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, BLOODSTOCK Open Air has brought together one of the strongest line-ups in its history. Whether you’re into old-school heavy metal, modern deathcore, thrash, hardcore or progressive experimental music, there’s something waiting around every corner of Catton Park.
Here are ten performances that deserve a place at the very top of your schedule.
1. Judas Priest
We may have a personal bias here but there are very few bands that embody heavy metal quite like Judas Priest. With over five decades of genre-defining classics, blistering guitar solos and Rob Halford’s unmistakable vocals, the legends return to BLOODSTOCK as one of the festival’s landmark anniversary headliners. Expect a set packed with timeless anthems and an atmosphere unlike anything else all weekend.
2. Lamb of God
Modern metal simply wouldn’t look the same without Lamb of God. Renowned for their devastating live performances, razor-sharp riffs and Randy Blythe’s commanding stage presence, their BLOODSTOCK headline appearance promises one of the festival’s most intense moments.
3. Slaughter To Prevail
Few bands have exploded onto the international scene quite like Slaughter To Prevail. Frontman Alex Terrible has become one of extreme metal’s most recognisable figures, and their breakdowns and unwavering energy are perfectly suited to a packed Ronnie James Dio Stage.
4. Saxon
A BLOODSTOCK anniversary wouldn’t feel complete without one of NWOBHM’s true pioneers. Saxon’s catalogue remains packed with singalong classics, making this headline performance both a celebration of the band’s enduring legacy and the festival’s own remarkable journey.
5. Cryptopsy
Thirty years after releasing the brutal death metal masterpiece “None So Vile”, Cryptopsy will perform a special anniversary set on the Sophie Lancaster Stage. For fans of technical extremity, this is one of the weekend’s genuine once-in-a-lifetime performances.
6. Sepultura
As the legendary band approaches the end of its historic career, every performance carries extra significance. Expect an emotional celebration of one of metal’s most influential catalogues, spanning everything from “Chaos A.D.” through to their modern material.
7. Black Label Society
Led by the legendary Zakk Wylde, Black Label Society bring decades of Southern swagger and guitar heroics to BLOODSTOCK. From the heavy grooves of “Stronger Than Death” to the emotional power of “In This River”, BLS have built a devoted following through their combination of thunderous metal, blues influence and one of the most recognisable guitar sounds in the genre. Expect walls of sound, walls of death and a true celebration of heavy metal guitar.
8. Fit For An Autopsy
For over a decade, Fit For An Autopsy have sat at the forefront of modern deathcore, blending heaviness with atmosphere, technical precision and socially conscious songwriting. Their live shows are relentless, balancing bone-crushing breakdowns with soaring melodic passages that have earned them a reputation as one of the genre’s most consistently powerful bands. Whether you’re already a fan or discovering them for the first time, their BLOODSTOCK appearance is set to be one of the heaviest (and most memorable) performances of the weekend.
9. Carpenter Brut
Offering something completely different after a day of riffs and blast beats, Carpenter Brut’s cinematic synthwave spectacle delivers pounding electronic rhythms, spectacular visuals and one of the most unique performances of the entire weekend.
10. Bleed From Within
Flying the flag for modern British metal, Bleed From Within have steadily become one of Europe’s most formidable live bands. Their combination of crushing grooves, melodic hooks and relentless intensity makes them one of the strongest non-headlining acts on the bill; and a band many believe is destined for future headline status.
11. Honourable Mentions
With such a stacked line-up, narrowing the list to ten is no easy task. Don’t overlook Testament, Municipal Waste, Death Angel, Northlane, Orbit Culture, Kittie, Biohazard, Mushroomhead, Skynd, 200 Stab Wounds, Nevermore, The Scratch, Of Mice & Men, and the winners of Metal 2 The Masses, who consistently deliver some of the festival’s biggest surprises.