Slam Dunk have revealed the first wave of acts for their twin day-festivals in Hatfield and Leeds. The 2027 roster boasts top pop-punk acts Bowling For Soup and Simple Plan, ska favourites Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake, as well as a metal billing featuring Killswitch Engage and Beartooth.
Since its 2006 inception in Leeds, Slam Dunk Festival has expanded to a double event with a twin show in Hatfield, as well as occasional European sister shows. In May 2026 Slam Dunk North at Leeds’ Temple Newsam and South at Hatfield Park were headed up by pop punk rebels Good Charlotte, metalcore stars Knocked Loose and the return of ska punk legends Sublime.
With next year’s event booked in for May 29 and 30, Slam Dunk dropped a trailer and poster with the first set of performers. The neon arcade-themed trailer reveals the artist names displayed on arcade cabinets, an air hockey table, and beer taps among other easter eggs.
The first category features the biggest names in North American pop punk and ska punk: Bowling For Soup bring their tongue-in-cheek hits like ‘Girl All The Bad Guys Want’ and ‘1985’, and Simple Plan promise to start a party with their TV theme tune ‘What’s New Scooby Doo?’. Slam Dunk staples Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake are also back to bring the bouncy ska vibes packed with trumpets and saxophones.
The rather heavy metal contingent is topped by US metalcore forerunners Killswitch Engage, with current torchbearers Beartooth and Wage War just below them. Australian group The Amity Affliction return to the UK following line-up changes and the release of 2026 album ‘House of Cards’, while technical shredders Erra continue touring their stellar album from this March, ‘Silence Outlives the Earth’.
Next up are things of an emo nature, with The Used following up their long-awaited 2025 Slam Dunk appearance, and Sleeping With Sirens topping the bracket. The Maine, We The Kings, The Academy Is… and Cute Is What We Aim For round off a selection of nostalgic throwbacks. Lower down the bill are an assorted mix of gems like The Front Bottoms, Four Year Strong, Hot Milk and Mouth Culture.
Slam Dunk 2027 North is at Temple Newsam, Leeds on Saturday May 29. and you can catch South at Hatfield Park on Sunday May 30. The first run of tickets go on pre-sale through their official app at 10am on Friday October 2, before a general sale for remaining tickets at 10am Monday October 5, with monthly payment plans available. More information is available at the Slam Dunk website. With further waves with more great acts scheduled, you can find the first line-up reveal on the poster below:
