With Bloodstock Open Air 2026 almost upon us, the festival has locked in the final wave of Metal 2 The Masses winners for the Stowford Press New Blood Stage, closing months of regional battles across the UK and beyond.
Friday’s intake brings Merseyside hard rock and metal hybrid Archaea, Oxford skacore crew Redeemon and their promise of circle pits and skanking, Devon and Cornwall metalcore force Carrier, Bristol’s hardcore meets thrash outfit Martyrs Saint, and Nuneaton newcomers Thrash Mob, an old school thrash band barely eight months old and already tearing up the underground.
Sunday rounds things off with London groove metallers Solatia, Brighton grunge favourites Moth, and Stoke-on-Trent’s Return To Solace, forged in friendship and loss, delivering oppressive riffs and explosive vocals for fans of Lamb Of God and Architects. It caps a strong crop, following the first wave of winners revealed earlier in the year.
On tickets, weekend and Sunday day passes have sold out, though a final batch of bonus Wednesday early arrival add-ons has appeared in the store. Friday and Saturday day tickets remain at £99 plus fees, a fine taster for anyone yet to experience Catton Park. Under fours attend free, and pre-booking car parking saves money on arrival.
Merch has been shifting at record levels, so if you want to guarantee your shirt size or bag a coveted Stabubu or branded cup, click and collect closes on 18 July, with allocated weekend slots so there is no queuing. The Dixxon signing tent also returns between the RAM Gallery and the Ronnie James Dio main stage, with guests revealed closer to the gates.
Welfare stays front and centre. Free water points across the arena and campsites will not run dry, so bring a clear refillable bottle, and misters are on standby should another heatwave hit Catton Park. The welfare tent, Samaritans stand and Outreach 1625 team are on site around the clock, and Bloodstock has again joined the Safer Spaces 2026 campaign alongside the Association of Independent Festivals and Good Night Out.
We cannot wait to see what this New Blood crop bring. For a fuller taste of the weekend, our four day preview has you covered. See you all down the front.
