Slam Dunk Festival has mapped out the first stage of its 2027 gathering, placing Bowling For Soup, Simple Plan, and Killswitch Engage at the head of the roster. The two-day event dedicated to pop-punk, alternative rock, and heavy music continues its established twin-site format over the late May bank holiday weekend. The live dates open at Temple Newsam in Leeds on Saturday, May 29, before the entire roadshow moves south to Hatfield Park on Sunday, May 30.
Turn-of-the-century nostalgia anchors the top tier of the bill, with both pop-punk headliners arriving to commemorate major album milestones. Bowling For Soup return for their first appearance at the festival since 2023, an outing frontman Jaret Reddick later described as one of the finest live performances in the band's history. For their 2027 run, the group will mark a quarter of a century since releasing their breakthrough record, Drunk Enough To Dance. Meanwhile, Montreal group Simple Plan end an eight-year absence from Slam Dunk stages, celebrating twenty-five years since their debut full-length, No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls, introduced them to mainstream audiences.
The announcement also brings a notable return for ska-punk fans, led by an exclusive UK reunion performance from Reel Big Fish. The long-running California outfit have remained off the road since entering an official hiatus in 2019, making their upcoming appearance their first live activity in several years. They headline an energetic brass-focused selection that includes fellow veterans Less Than Jake and The Interrupters, with UK street-punk band Grade 2 expanding the lineup of traditional, up-tempo punk acts.
At the heavier end of the musical spectrum, Killswitch Engage will make their first appearance at Slam Dunk. The Massachusetts metalcore pioneers released This Consequence in 2025, an album that ended a six-year recording gap during a period vocalist Jesse Leach noted had turned his entire life upside down. Their debut booking leads a prominent contingent of aggressive guitar acts on the 2027 poster, joining a roster that includes Beartooth, Wage War, The Amity Affliction, and ERRA.
The first wave of names also reaches deep into emo and alternative rock. The Used and Sleeping With Sirens bring theatrical post-hardcore weight to the bill, joined by pop-rock regulars The Maine, Australian group Trophy Eyes, and Chicago outfit Knuckle Puck. Rounding out the opening artist reveal are Hot Milk, Mouth Culture, Melrose Avenue, and From Ashes To New, with further additions due to follow in future announcements.
Pre-sale access for both sites opens on Friday, October 2, with the general ticket sale launching on Monday, October 5. The unveiling arrives after a period of administrative adjustment for the festival team. In April, organizers confirmed that one of Slam Dunk's festival directors stepped down from operational duties in the wake of allegations shared online. The 2027 edition follows a run that featured Good Charlotte, Sublime, Knocked Loose, Taking Back Sunday, and Boston Manor, alongside appearances from State Champs, Dashboard Confessional, Motion City Soundtrack, Hawthorne Heights, Driveways, Tonight Alive, Cancer Bats, and President. By balancing album anniversaries, a rare ska revival, and heavyweight metalcore debuts across Leeds and Hatfield, Slam Dunk has pieced together a sturdy platform for its upcoming spring weekend.
