A major new music festival has been revealed for Roundhay Park in Leeds by AEG Presents.
American Express presents Roundhay Festival will debut in summer 2026, with the aim of becoming a central fixture of the north of England’s cultural calendar.
Roundhay Park has previously hosted performances from the likes of Madonna, the Rolling Stones and Ed Sheeran.
Next year it will host live music from global artists, as well as a midweek programme of free activities. The first headliner will be announced soon.
Launched in collaboration with Leeds City Council, Roundhay Festival will deliver substantial benefits to the local area, including increased economic activity, according to AEG Presents.
Roundhay will engage local suppliers, employ local staff and boost spending on accommodation, food and entertainment. The festival’s midweek programme of free-to-access activities for all ages will also offer arts, culture and wellbeing activities.
Roundhay Festival is also committed to sustainability for live music. The festival will continually refine its policies to minimise environmental impact. Big Green Coach will be the official travel partner, providing environmentally conscious return travel.
As part of this year’s Leeds festival, a partnership with Roundhay School will offer students the chance to get involved in the live music industry and event management. It will 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).
AEG Presents, the organisers of BST Hyde Park, said it is bringing “premium festival experiences, next-level production and world-class performances to Leeds”.
American Express will be the presenting partner of the festival, deepening the relationship with AEG. American Express members will have exclusive presale access to all of the shows and will have a range of benefits available on site at the festival.
We aim to create a festival that everyone in Leeds can be proud of
Jim King
Jim King, CEO of AEG Presents UK and European Festivals, said: “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.”
He added: “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, said: “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, said: “We are thrilled to be headline sponsor of American Express presents Roundhay Festival, in the incredible city of Leeds. Music is one of our card members’ 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.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.musicweek.com ’
