Radio 1 Big Weekend tickets to go on sale this week - here's what you need to know
It’s one of the most anticipated events in Sunderland this year - and you’ll soon be able to get your hands on tickets for Radio 1’s Big Weekend.
One of Britain’s biggest music events, Big Weekend will take over Herrington Country Park, from May 22-24, 2026.
Sunderland residents will get priority for tickets, with tickets for the Friday of the event going live from 9am on Friday, March 6.
Tickets for the Saturday and Sunday will then be released from 5pm on Wednesday, March 11.
The much anticipated lineup has not yet been announced, but with tickets going on sale so soon, it’s expected we could get an announcement this week, ahead of the first ticket release.
The booking process will be handled by Ticketmaster - the only official ticketing agent for Radio 1’s Big Weekend.
Over the course of the Big Weekend, around 100 acts will perform - from the biggest names in music to exciting new and emerging artists.
With around 80,000 fans expected to attend, the weekend promises to be one to remember.
The festival will shine a light on the city and the surrounding area as well as providing a major boost to the local economy, with huge demand for tickets ensuring the event sells out almost immediately every year.
How much will it cost?
You can purchase a maximum of two tickets per person per day, and may attend Friday and one weekend day only (Saturday or Sunday), but not both.
Friday, May 22
There will be 31,000 General Admission tickets and 2,960 VIP tickets available to purchase for Friday 22nd May 2026. Friday is an over-18s event only. Entry will not be permitted for anyone under 18.
*General Admission Tickets will cost £34.50
*VIP Tickets will cost £86
Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24
There will be 31,000 General Admission tickets and 2,960 VIP tickets available to purchase per day for Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th May.
General Admission tickets for those aged 15 and under will need to be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over at all times.
If you are under 18 please ensure you have permission from your parent and/or guardian to attend.
Those aged 2 and under do not require a ticket but must be in the care of an adult aged 18 or over.
*General Admission Tickets for Saturday and Sunday will cost £44.50 per ticket, per day.
*VIP Tickets for Saturday and Sunday will cost £106.00 per ticket, per day. To purchase a VIP ticket you must be aged 18 or over.
Priority for Sunderland residents
General admission tickets are divided into three pots - and your postcode will be required for pots 1 & 2.
Pot 1 - 30% of General Admission tickets will initially be reserved for Sunderland City Council Residents. Tickets will be reserved in Pot 1 for seven days after being made available, after which any unsold will be offered for general sale.
Pot 2 - 60% of General Admission tickets will initially be reserved for Residents from the wider NECA Region (County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland and South Tyneside). These tickets will be reserved in Pot 2 for seven days after being made available, after which any unsold will be offered for general sale.
Pot 3 -The remaining 10% of General Admission tickets being made available for sale will be unreserved and available for anyone in the UK to purchase.