Radio 1 Big Weekend 2025 – Complete Guide to Lineup and Tickets

BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend returned to Liverpool in May 2025 for a three-day festival in Sefton Park. The event brought together established international acts and emerging talent across multiple stages, marking the first time the city had hosted the event since 2018.

The festival ran from Friday 23 May to Sunday 25 May 2025, with a lineup that spanned pop, rock, and electronic music. Performances were scheduled across several stages including the Radio 1 Main Stage, the BBC Introducing Stage, and the Dance Stage.

With a daily capacity of approximately 34,500, the event attracted thousands of attendees each day. Tickets were priced well below the cost of comparable commercial festivals, reflecting the BBC’s public service remit to make live music accessible.

When and Where is Radio 1 Big Weekend 2025?

The festival took place at Sefton Park, a large public park in the south of Liverpool. The same park previously hosted the event in 2018. According to setlist data, the site featured multiple stages with staggered performance times across all three days.

• Radio 1 Big Weekend 2025 was held in Liverpool’s Sefton Park for the first time since 2018.
• Tickets were priced at £33 plus a £4.50 booking fee — significantly cheaper than comparable festivals such as Glastonbury or Leeds.
• The event featured multiple stages including the Radio 1 Main Stage, BBC Introducing Stage, and Dance Stage.
• Tickets sold out rapidly, with a limited number of resale tickets released later.
• The festival ran across three full days, from Friday to Sunday.
• Approximately 34,500 General Admission tickets were available per day.
• The event is part of the BBC’s flagship free-ticketed festival series, held annually since 2001.

Who is Performing at Radio 1 Big Weekend 2025?

The lineup for Radio 1 Big Weekend 2025 included a broad mix of pop, rock, and electronic artists. Based on setlist and scheduling data, a number of performers appeared across the weekend on different stages.

Main Stage Performers

Confirmed artists who performed during the weekend include Ed Sheeran, Tate McRae, Biffy Clyro, Natasha Bedingfield, Sam Fender, and Blossoms. These acts appeared on the main stage at various times across the three days. The Wombats and Tom Grennan also featured prominently in the lineup.

Electronic and Dance Acts

The Dance Stage hosted a range of electronic performers including James Hype, Barry Can’t Swim, Katy B, and Nia Archives. The setlist data indicates that these performances were scheduled with overlapping stage times, consistent with a multi-stage festival format.

BBC Introducing Stage

As in previous years, the BBC Introducing Stage showcased emerging talent. While specific performers for this stage are not detailed in the available data, the stage is a staple of the Big Weekend format, designed to give new artists a platform alongside established names.

For a more detailed breakdown of who played and when, consult the BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2025 — research page on setlist.fm, which includes set times and stage allocations.

How Much are Tickets and How to Get Them?

Ticket pricing for Radio 1 Big Weekend 2025 was notably low compared to many major UK festivals. General Admission tickets cost £33 each, with an additional £4.50 booking fee per ticket per day. That placed the total cost at £37.50 per day per person.

Ticket Sale Process

Tickets went on sale in early 2025, with the exact date announced by BBC Radio 1 several weeks beforehand. Demand was extremely high, and tickets sold out within hours of going live. A limited number of official resale tickets were released at a later date, but those too were quickly claimed.

How Many Tickets Were Available?

Approximately 34,500 General Admission tickets were made available for each day of the festival. This capacity is consistent with the size of Sefton Park as a venue. Children under 5 could attend for free, and under-16s were required to be accompanied by an adult.

For more detail on the original ticket release and pricing, the Visit Liverpool FAQ (2025 tickets & info) page provides authoritative information published during the sales period.

What is the Full Schedule for Radio 1 Big Weekend 2025?

The festival operated a staggered schedule across all three days, with performances beginning in the late morning and continuing into the evening. Multiple stages ran concurrently, meaning attendees had to choose between acts playing at the same time.

Friday 23 May

The first day featured a mix of opening sets and early headline performances. Based on setlist data, Friday included appearances from artists such as The Wombats and Katy B, though the full running order for Friday is not comprehensively documented in the available sources.

Saturday 24 May

Saturday was a key day for major acts. Performers scheduled for Saturday included Ed Sheeran, Biffy Clyro, and Sam Fender. The Dance Stage also saw sets from James Hype and Barry Can’t Swim. Stage times overlapped throughout the afternoon and evening.

Sunday 25 May

The final day featured Tate McRae, Natasha Bedingfield, Blossoms, Tom Grennan, and Nia Archives among others. As with Saturday, the schedule involved simultaneous performances across stages, a standard approach for a festival of this scale.

How Does 2025 Compare to Previous and Future Big Weekends?

Radio 1’s Big Weekend has a long history dating back to 2001. The 2025 edition marked a return to Liverpool after a seven-year gap — the previous Liverpool event was also held at Sefton Park in 2018. The 2024 edition was held in a different location, continuing the festival’s tradition of moving to a new city each year. For a wider look at the season’s biggest music gatherings, see Best UK Festivals 2025.

Looking ahead, BBC Radio 1 has announced that the 2026 edition will take place at Herrington Country Park in Sunderland on 22–24 May 2026. That information is available on the BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 official page. However, the lineup for 2026 has not yet been announced, and ticket sale dates remain unconfirmed.

1. Late 2024: BBC announces Liverpool as host city for 2025 Big Weekend.
2. Early 2025: Official dates (23–25 May) and venue (Sefton Park) confirmed.
3. March 2025: Lineup announcements begin; ticket sale date announced.
4. April 2025: General on-sale date; tickets sell out quickly.
5. May 2025: Clashfinder schedules released; final lineup and stage times published.
6. 23–25 May 2025: Event takes place.
7. Post-May 2025: BBC broadcasts highlights; social media recap.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About the 2025 Event?

While a good deal of information is available about Radio 1 Big Weekend 2025, some details are better established than others. The table below separates what is reliably documented from what is less certain.

Why Does Radio 1 Big Weekend Matter?

Radio 1’s Big Weekend is the BBC’s flagship free-ticketed festival, held annually since 2001. It is distinct from commercial festivals in that tickets are sold at a deliberately low price — far below market rates — as part of the BBC’s public service broadcasting mission. The 2025 edition continued that tradition with tickets at £33 plus a booking fee.

The festival also serves as a platform for emerging talent. The BBC Introducing stage has historically helped launch the careers of artists who later become headliners. The 2025 event maintained this commitment, offering exposure to new acts alongside major international performers.

For historical context, the BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend Wikipedia page provides a year-by-year breakdown of every edition, including venues, lineups, and notable moments.

What Do Official Sources Say About the Event?

A small number of official and semi-official sources provided information about the 2025 event. The Visit Liverpool FAQ page, published in partnership with local authorities, was one of the most detailed sources for ticketing and logistics. Below are key excerpts from available sources.

“34,500 General Admission tickets are available per day and cost £33 + £4.50 booking fee per ticket per day.”

— Visit Liverpool FAQ

“We’re bringing the Big Weekend to Liverpool’s Sefton Park.”

— BBC Radio 1 (paraphrased from official announcement, cited via Wikipedia)

“Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2025 to take place in Liverpool.”

— Wikipedia

For ongoing updates about BBC Radio 1’s live events and broadcasts, the BBC Radio 1 official site remains the primary source.

What Should You Take Away from Radio 1 Big Weekend 2025?

Radio 1 Big Weekend 2025 was a well-attended, multi-day festival held at Sefton Park in Liverpool. It featured a diverse lineup including Ed Sheeran, Tate McRae, Biffy Clyro, and many others, with tickets priced affordably at £33 plus a booking fee. The event sold out rapidly and was broadcast in highlights form on BBC platforms. For those already looking ahead, the 2026 edition is set for Sunderland, though lineup and ticket details have yet to be announced. For a broader perspective on UK festivals, see Best UK Festivals 2025.

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