Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 is set to bring huge crowds to the North East when it lands in Herrington Country Park from Friday 22 May to Sunday 24 May 2026. With more than 100,000 music fans expected across the weekend, accommodation around Sunderland will fill up quickly.
If you’re heading to the festival and want somewhere affordable to stay, here are three budget-friendly hotel options near Sunderland where you can rest up between sets.
Metro Inns Newcastle
Metro Inns Newcastle is one of the cheapest options within easy reach of Sunderland, sitting about 13 miles away in Newcastle upon Tyne. Rooms regularly start around £50 per night, making it a solid option for festival-goers who just need a clean, simple place to sleep.
The hotel offers basic, no-frills accommodation with comfortable beds and essential amenities. While it’s not luxury, the value for money makes it popular with travellers on a tight budget. Newcastle also has great transport links to Sunderland, so getting to the festival site should be straightforward.
Why stay here:
- Around £50 per night
- Simple, budget-friendly rooms
- Good access to public transport from Newcastle
Hayat Hotel, Durham
Located roughly 10 miles from Sunderland, Hayat Hotel is another affordable option for Big Weekend visitors, with rooms from around £50 per night.
Durham is a beautiful historic city known for its cathedral and riverside walks, so staying here gives you the chance to combine the festival with some sightseeing. The hotel itself is simple and practical, ideal for those planning to spend most of their time at the music festival.
Why stay here:
- Budget-friendly price point
- Close to Sunderland
- Opportunity to explore historic Durham
Travelodge Sedgefield
If you’re willing to travel a little further, Travelodge Sedgefield sits about 18 miles from Sunderland and offers dependable budget accommodation from around £60 per night.
Travelodge hotels are known for their consistent quality and comfortable beds, which can be a blessing after a full day of festival crowds and late-night performances. The hotel also has easy road access if you’re driving to the festival.
Why stay here:
- Reliable Travelodge comfort
- Quiet location away from crowds
- Good option if travelling by car
Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026: What to Expect
BBC Radio 1’s flagship live music festival will take place at Herrington Country Park from Friday 22 May to Sunday 24 May 2026.
The festival traditionally kicks off the UK summer festival season and brings some of the world’s biggest artists to locations that might not otherwise host a major music event.
More than 100,000 fans are expected across the weekend.
Saturday 23 May Line-up
Radio 1 Main Stage (alphabetical order)
- Charlie Hedges
- Dean McCullough
- Ellie Goulding
- Jeremiah Asiamah
- Lola Young
- Louis Tomlinson
- Maia Beth
- Melvin Odoom
- Nat O’Leary
- Nothing But Thieves
- Rickie Haywood-Williams
- Skye Newman
- Vicky Hawkesworth
- Zara Larsson
Radio 1 New Music Stage
- Erin LeCount
- Florence Road
- James Blake
- Mitski
- MUNA
- Rachel Chinouriri
- Sarah Story
- Wasia Project
Sunday 24 May Line-up
Radio 1 Main Stage (alphabetical order)
- Charlie Hedges
- CMAT
- Dean McCullough
- Dermot Kennedy
- Jeremiah Asiamah
- Kehlani
- Maia Beth
- Melvin Odoom
- Myles Smith
- Nat O’Leary
- Niall Horan
- Olivia Dean
- Rickie Haywood-Williams
- Vicky Hawkesworth
Radio 1 New Music Stage
- Alessi Rose
- Ezra Collective
- FLO
- Holly Humberstone
- Jack Saunders
- Jorja Smith (Party Set)
- Maisie Peters
- Odeal
Across the weekend, fans will also see major acts including Fatboy Slim and Sonny Fodera, who headline on Friday 22 May.
Tickets and How to Get Them
Tickets for Saturday 23 May and Sunday 24 May go on sale at 5pm on Wednesday 11 March.
- Price: £44.50 (£40 + £4.50 booking fee)
- Sold via Ticketmaster, the only official ticketing agent.
As in previous years, tickets will be geographically weighted:
- 30% reserved for Sunderland residents
- 60% reserved for the wider North East Combined Authority region
- 10% available to the rest of the UK
Demand is expected to be extremely high, with tickets often selling out within minutes.
How to Watch or Listen
BBC Radio 1 will broadcast live from the Big Weekend festival site, with performances available:
- On Radio 1
- Via BBC Sounds
- On the Radio 1 iPlayer channel
Top tip: Book accommodation early — budget hotels near Sunderland are likely to fill up quickly once tickets go on sale.