The Underdog 2026 | Grand Final

⚠️ SUPER EARLY BIRD TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Grab one before the semi-finals start and get 5X votes at O2 Academy Bristol!

WE NEED BANDS X Synthetica Present:

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THE UNDERDOG 2026 · THE GRAND FINAL

🔥 The Underdog Is Back For 2026! 🔥

After a record-breaking 2025, Bristol’s most electrifying battle of the bands returns — bigger, louder, and wilder than ever!

The Heats will see hundreds of local musicians go head-to-head for one of just eighteen golden spots at the Thekla Semi-Finals. From there, our finalists will fight for glory — and a massive prize haul, including:

💷 £1,000 cash — no strings attached
🎙️ Two full days in a professional recording studio
👕 50 custom-printed band t-shirts
📸 A killer promo photoshoot
🚌 A mini South West tour

Since launching in 2015, The Underdog has become a Bristol institution — the go-to series for up-and-coming talent and a true alternative to the big-name competitions. Past events have rocked legendary venues like O2 Academy, Thekla, The Fleece, Exchange, The Thunderbolt, and Zed Alley.

This year, 72 bands from across the South West and Wales will throw down in our biggest showdown yet. But when the dust settles… There can only be one Underdog Champion. 🏆

📱 Follow the action and join the hype: #UnderdogBristol

⚠️ Please Note: Only one ticket can be claimed per person (you cannot buy multiple tickets for the extra votes).

The BANDS:
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The line up will be decided at the Semi Finals in March/April, so check back after then to see who our finalists will be.

The INFO:
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WHERE? ⇾ o2 Academy Bristol
https://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybristol/
Frogmore St, Bristol BS1 5NA

WHEN? ⇾ Friday 5th June

WHAT TIME? ⇾ 6:30pm-11:00pm

HOW MUCH? ⇾
Super Early Birds (5X Votes) · £12.00

Please Note: Only one ticket can be claimed per person (you cannot buy multiple tickets for the extra votes).

Artist WAITLIST:
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Didn’t get your application in on time? ⏰
Join our Artist Waitlist and be the first to hear if a slot becomes available!
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/QxdxxYBKAUSf4Z4p9

Follow All The Action:
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Search #UnderdogBristol on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with all The Underdog 2026 news, or follow us on social media via:

www.instagram.com/UnderdogBristol
www.facebook.com/UnderdogBristol

Coming Soon...