AEG Presents Announces Roundhay Park Festival In Leeds For 2026

AEG Presents announced a major new music festival scheduled to take place at Roundhay Park in Leeds, England, next summer. The exact dates have yet to be announced.

Once Roundhay Festival debuts in 2026 it will develop into “a central fixture of the north of England’s cultural calendar,” according to the press announcement. The festival’s presenting partner is American Express, which also sponsors AEG Presents highly acclaimed BST Hyde Park in London.

Indeed, from the initial press announcement, it sounds like Roundhay Festival will follow a similar model like BST Hyde Park: Superstars on the weekend, supported by a stellar cast of up-and-coming talent and established acts, with a free week-day program for the locals.

Roundhay Park in Leeds is steeped in music history, having hosted legendary performances from the likes of Madonna, the Rolling Stones and, more recently, Ed Sheeran.

The first headliner for the first edition of Roundhay Festival will be announced “very soon,” according to the announcement.

The festival is launched in collaboration with Leeds City Council, and is expected to “deliver substantial benefits to the local area, including increased economic activity by engaging local suppliers, employing local staff, and boosting spending on accommodation, food and entertainment.

The festival’s midweek program of free-to-access activities for all ages will consist of high-quality arts, culture and wellbeing activities, while providing a platform for local talent and encouraging continuous use of the park during the summer.

Like AEG Presents other events, Roundhay Festival is committed to sustainability, from powering the festival responsibly to managing waste and partnering with local food vendors. “The festival will continually refine its policies to minimize environmental impact while maximising benefits for the local community,” stated AEG Presents.

As part of this year’s Leeds festival, promoted by Melvin Benn’s Festival Republic, a Live Nation company, a partnership with Roundhay School will offer students the chance to get involved in the live music industry and event management, promising to “provide vital skills and insight into opportunities in the creative industries.”

Roundhay Park, one of Europe’s largest city parks, spans over 700 acres of lakes, woodlands, formal gardens, playgrounds and the Tropical World visitor attraction.

Legendary acts that have performed at the park include The Rolling Stones (1982), Genesis (1987), Madonna (1987), Michael Jackson (1988), U2 (1997) and Ed Sheeran (2019).

American Express card members will have exclusive presale access to all of the shows and will have a range of benefits available on site at the festival.

Comments:

Jim King, CEO of AEG Presents UK and European Festivals: “Everyone at AEG is thrilled to announce the launch of the Roundhay Festival in Leeds. This landmark event gives us the opportunity to bring world-class artists and world-leading production to even more fans, while building on the park’s incredible musical legacy.

“Roundhay Park already holds an extraordinary place in music history, having hosted concerts from some of the biggest artists of all time and we cannot wait to add to that story.

“As with all our events, we are committed to delivering the very best in every aspect, from welcoming some of the greatest artists in the world, to creating an unforgettable fan experience, and upholding industry-leading sustainability standards.

“We are determined to bring value to the park, the city, and the wider region. By working closely with local people and businesses, we aim to create a festival that everyone in Leeds can be proud of.”

Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council: “I’m absolutely delighted that we are working with AEG to bring some of the biggest names in music to Roundhay Park once again.

“The park is a fabulous setting for concerts, as legendary artists like Madonna, U2 and the Rolling Stones will know from their own fondly-remembered appearances there.
“It’s also a much-loved part of the fabric of life in Leeds, so it’s fitting that this event will be doing as much as possible to support local vendors, suppliers and staff. AEG’s commitment to the highest standards of sustainability is another very welcome plus point for us.

“Roundhay Festival will act as a wonderful showcase for our city, raising its profile with national and international audiences while delivering an important boost to the local economy. I’m sure music fans, not just in Leeds but across the region and beyond, will agree with me when I say ‘roll on next summer’.”

Shiz Suzuki, vice president of global brand sponsorships & experiential marketing at American Express: “We are thrilled to be headline sponsor of American Express presents Roundhay Festival, in the incredible city of Leeds. Music is one of our Cardmembers’ passion points – and through this new event we can’t wait to bring even more Card Members closer to the artists and bands they love, with festival perks that include early access tickets, as well as offers and experiences at the festival. Alongside other Amex sponsored music events such as BST Hyde Park and All Points East, there’s no doubt this brand-new festival will be another defining moment in our Card Members’ summer calendars.”

Roundhay Festival headliners, full line up and program are to be announced.

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