Sunderland, UK – Radio 1’s Big Weekend, the UK’s largest free music festival, is heading to Sunderland in 2026, the BBC announced today.The event will take place in the city’s Stadium of Light, marking a notable cultural and economic boost for the North East.
The proclamation builds on a recent trend of major music events choosing northern cities, following the Mercury Prize and Mobo Awards being held in the region earlier this year. Radio 1’s Big Weekend is expected to draw tens of thousands of attendees, providing a platform for both established and emerging artists and generating considerable revenue for the local economy. The 2023 event in Luton generated nearly £7m for the local economy following half a million pounds of investment.
Sunderland City Council is collaborating closely with the BBC to ensure a “safe, inclusive and enjoyable event,” according to the broadcaster. Councillor Michael Mordey, Leader of the council, stated, “It was a fantastic opportunity to show people who haven’t been to Sunderland, what a brilliant city it is and how much is happening here.”
Last year’s festival in liverpool’s Sefton Park, nicknamed “Scouse Coachella,” attracted approximately 100,000 fans and featured performances by Tom Grennan, Sam Fender, and Mumford & Sons, alongside a surprise appearance by ed Sheeran and an emotional performance from JADE of Little Mix. Around 90% of tickets for the Liverpool event were allocated to local residents.
While liverpool City Council previously defended spending £250,000 on hosting the 2023 event, citing its value as publicity for the city and funding from its existing events budget, the Sunderland event is anticipated to deliver a significant return on investment for the region.
