Bloodstock Presents Pillow Fight Club, Hellbent Hoedown, and more
BLOODSTOCKers, first a quick band update! Purely due to some unavoidable logistical issues, there’s been a little switch around on Saturday’s line-up. Everyone announced is still playing, but now OF MICE & MEN and DEATH ANGEL will perform on the Sophie Lancaster stage whilst NEVERMORE and URNE have moved to the Ronnie James Dio main stage. See the newly updated line-up poster at the bottom below for positioning.
Lots more news to share about BLOODSTOCK 2026! Wondering what there is to do at BLOODSTOCK besides watch bands and visit the signing tent? There’s always something fun going on in the Battle Arena and this year is no exception!
Get ready for the ultimate showdown of fluff and fun! BLOODSTOCK presents PILLOW FIGHT CLUB - a hilarious, action-packed, pillow fighting competition inspired by the legendary 'Fight Club' (but with way more feathers and far fewer bruises). Compere extraordinaire will be none other than Sam Strachan from Raised By Owls, ably assisted by a referee - his band mate Lee Deane - whose decisions are final!
At 4:30pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, head to the Battle Arena for a series of epic pillow battles. Each day, contestants will face off in a tournament-style event, battling through heats, semi-finals, and a grand final to crown the day's Pillow Fight Club Champion!
The first rule of PILLOW FIGHT CLUB is: you do not talk about PILLOW FIGHT CLUB.
Other rules include:
- One-Handed Only: Swing your pillow with one hand - no two-handed attacks!
- Stay in the Ring: Step outside the circle and you forfeit.
- Knockdown: If you’re floored, you have 5 seconds to get up.
- No Rough Stuff: No pushing, grabbing, or hitting with anything but the pillow.
- Sportsmanship: No unsportsmanlike conduct.
- Showmanship Counts: Creative stage names, costumes, and crowd engagement can help you win!
- Referee Decisions: The referee’s whistle signals warnings, stops, and the end of matches.
Safety First
- Remove glasses, jewelry, and piercings before fighting.
- Don’t participate if you’re heavily pregnant, recently injured, very drunk, or have relevant health conditions.
- All participants must sign a waiver before competing.
Bring your best moves, wildest costumes, and get ready for a pillow fight like no other. Sign up at the arena - may the best pillow warrior win!
Get ready for the HELLBENT HOEDOWN! Heavy metal meets line dancing at 2:30pm Fri, Sat, and Sun - led by Steel City Line Dancers and built for everyone! Whether you’re a battle-jacket veteran, a two-left-feet newcomer, or just there to “see what happens after the third beer”, come two-step to Trivium. Full instructions will be given to join in with the boot-stompin’ chaos! Think circle pit energy… but with cowboy boots on (or dino costumes, no judgement)!
No experience needed. No shame allowed. Just show up, throw shapes, and try not to spill your pint. Unleash your inner outlaw and throw down at the hellbent hoedown!
Ever been curious to LEARN TO SCREAM like a professional singer? Or perhaps you’d like some tips to improve? On Saturday at 12pm in the Battle Arena, you can join SHAY HOCHBERG - a metal vocalist, performer, and vocal coach specialising in safe, extreme vocal techniques including screams, growls, distortion, and fry vocals!
During this interactive workshop, participants will explore how extreme vocals actually work through guided demonstrations, vocal warm-ups, group exercises, and hands-on practice. The session is open to all levels - from complete beginners with no experience to experienced vocalists - with a strong focus on vocal health, expression, confidence, and body awareness. Just bring your willingness to make some noise!
Get your blood pumpin’ every morning Fri - Sun at 10:30am for 45 mins by joining the free ROCKFIT class! RockFit is an alternative, high-energy fitness class designed specifically for metal fans, combining rock/metal music with dance, cardio, and strengthening exercises. An all-abilities workout to shake off the night before and prepare for the festival day.
And if you just need some space to take a little time out, every night from 6pm - 3am, Fri - Sun, the Battle Arena becomes a CHILL ZONE.
THE 100 RETURNS - AND IT COULD BE YOU!
BLOODSTOCK is thrilled to announce the return of The 100 for 2026, the exciting initiative that gives 50 winners and their chosen +1’s a truly unforgettable festival experience!
Drawn completely at random from the 2026 weekend ticket purchasers, The 100 offers fans the chance to experience the festival like never before, with exclusive access, rare merch, and more!
Those selected for The 100 can look forward to:
- An exclusive backstage tour and meet & greet with one of the Festival Directors
- An official ‘The 100’ goody bag with exclusive merchandise and limited-edition rarities
- An exclusive lanyard and laminate
- Access to a private undercover chill-out area inside the arena
- Additional surprises throughout the weekend
If you’ve purchased a full weekend ticket for BOA2026 (standard or VIP), then you’re automatically entered into the draw! Keep an eye on your inboxes over the coming days because this is one email you will not want to miss!
Please note, The 100 experience is strictly non-transferable. If selected participants decline, transfer, or sell their ticket. then they will no longer qualify and the same random selection process will take place to determine a new winner. Winners and their chosen +1 must both be over 18 and hold valid full weekend tickets.
As we mentioned last month, on Sunday there’s a special treat in the RAM Gallery, as festival founder and renowned artist Paul Gregory will be exhibiting his original, oil on canvas, Lord Of The Rings-inspired painting ‘Morannon’ (shown above)! An impressive 1.8m x 3m in size, it was last exhibited over 20 years ago at the indoor BLOODSTOCK. But that’s not all you can see in the RAM Gallery this year! Don’t miss your chance to check out….
A wealth of special and rare JUDAS PRIEST items on a dedicated JUDAS PRIEST wall, including one of Rob Halford’s infamous stage jackets and a custom themed guitar made by Paul Cutting and commissioned by Paul Gregory, plus artwork by artist Mark Wilkinson (Instagram: @masquestudio).
BLOODSTOCK is also keen to support new artists, so do stop by and check out up and coming artist Emperical Mallum, discovered by festival director Vicky Hungerford on TikTok! Learn more at: www.empiricalmalum.com / Instagram: @malum.artist
There will also be a stunning Ozzy Osbourne inspired custom guitar made by Paul Cutting (no sneaky photos, you’ll have to wait and admire it in the RAM Gallery), a throwback section to BLOODSTOCK’s indoor days, featuring classic photos and memorabilia, the return of the iconic Lemmy Kilmister bust, an area focused on Heavy Metal Truants history marking their first charity cycle to BLOODSTOCK this year, and a custom Alex The Terrible painting by Danny Edwards (Instagram: @danslayer666tattoo).
And there’s still more to be revealed or discover on the day!
If you missed the news, standard weekend tickets for 2026 are now SOLD OUT. However, all hope is not lost, because if you sign up to official resale partner Tixel, you might still be able to snap up your preferred ticket type. Simply set an alert for notification if your tickets of choice become available, or pre-authorise your card in advance, so no need for constant checking back. Tixel also allows you to safely re-sell tickets to a new home if plans have changed. You can sell ALL ticket types, including installment plan purchases. Click through to https://tixel.com/uk/bloodstock-tickets for more information on how it works.
Stay tuned for more info to come soon on day tickets and last year’s new Kyrr campsite.
If you’ve already snapped up your tickets, Wednesday early access is also available in some campsites for those who want to max out their BLOODSTOCK experience. For early access or to pre-book parking, go to the official ticket store.
BLOODSTOCK’s 25th anniversary is going to be truly unforgettable.
BLOODSTOCK 2026 is delighted to present RJD headliners LAMB OF GOD, SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL, JUDAS PRIEST, and SAXON. Over on the Sophie Lancaster stage, the headliners are CRYPTOPSY (None So Vile 30-year anniversary set), WEDNESDAY 13, LEPROUS, and CARPENTER BRUT. You’ll also be able to see SEPULTURA, MUNICIPAL WASTE, DEATH ANGEL, NORTHLANE, BLEED FROM WITHIN, VENDED, ORBIT CULTURE, THE SCRATCH, IMPERIAL AGE, LIFE OF AGONY, OF MICE & MEN, BIOHAZARD, 200 STAB WOUNDS, THE HELL, BLACK SPIDERS, SHINING, NEVERMORE, EVIL SCARECROW, HEAVYSAURUS, SKYND, PARTY CANNON, BATTLESNAKE, INHUMAN NATURE, KITTIE, CASTLE RAT, GRAPHIC NATURE, BOOTYARD BANDITS, EXCREMENTORY GRINDFUCKERS, HIDDEN INTENT, SELLSWORD, NECKBREAKKER, SEETHING AKIRA, HAMMER, STAMPIN GROUND, URNE, CELESTIAL SANCTUARY, VIKING SKULL, BOUND IN FEAR, IMPERIUM, FROGLORD, MUSHROOMHEAD, DREAM STATE, and TRIVAX.
With many more bands & additional on site entertainment still to be announced, this is the must-attend celebration of 2026!
For the most up to date festival information, visit the official website at bloodstock.uk.com.
BLOODSTOCK 2026 will take place at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 6th - 9th August, 2026.
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