Record Store Day UK 2026

March 13, 2026

Record Store Day UK 2026: Date, Releases & Everything You Need to Know

Record Store Day UK 2026 takes place on Saturday 18th April 2026 — and with over 300 independent record shops taking part and more than 540 exclusive releases on the list, it's shaping up to be one of the biggest yet. Whether you're a seasoned RSD veteran or thinking about joining the queues for the first time, here's everything you need to know.

What Is Record Store Day?

Record Store Day is the one day of the year when independent record shops across the UK and Ireland come together to celebrate vinyl culture. It began in the United States in 2008 and has since grown into the biggest physical music event on the calendar, with thousands of shops participating worldwide.

The centrepiece of the day is a list of exclusive, limited-edition vinyl releases — pressed specifically for RSD and available only over the counter at participating independent shops. There are no pre-orders, no reservations, and no online sales until 8pm on the Monday after the event (Monday 20th April 2026). If you want one, you need to show up in person.

Record Store Day UK 2026: Key Details

Date: Saturday 18th April 2026
Where: Participating independent record shops across the UK and Ireland
Online availability: From 8pm Monday 20th April 2026 (remaining stock only)
2026 UK Ambassador: Olivia Dean
Official Charity Partner: War Child
Releases: Over 540 exclusive titles

The 2026 Ambassador: Olivia Dean

This year's UK Ambassador is the brilliant Olivia Dean, whose soulful debut album Messy made her one of the most talked-about British artists of recent years. Her latest album The Art of Loving is also available. She joins a long line of iconic past ambassadors including Kate Bush, Taylor Swift, Noel Gallagher and Elton John — fitting company for a singer who clearly understands what vinyl means to music lovers.

Record Store Day 2026: Highlights From the Release List

With over 540 titles on the list this year, there's something for every kind of collector. Here are some of the most talked-about releases:

Blur – Live At The Budokan (LP)
Elton John – Positiva Presents: Elton John – The Remixes (LP)
Madonna – The Confessions Tour Live (LP)
Charli XCX – Party 4 U (7")
Black Sabbath – Seventh Star (LP)
Wolf Alice – Play It Out / Midnight Song (Live in LA) (7")
Paramore – All We Know Is Falling (2xLP reissue)
Olivia Dean – Live at the BBC (7")
PinkPantheress – Girl Like Me
The Last Dinner Party – The Scythe / Second Best (Live From The Pyre) (7")
Joy Crookes – Juniper – BBC Maida Vale Live Sessions (LP)
Bruno Mars – Bruno Mars & Friends (LP)
David Bowie – Hallo Spaceboy (12") and Excerpts from Outside (LP)
Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris – All The Roadrunning (2xLP)
Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts – The Live Album
Jeff Buckley – Live à L'Olympia
Laura Marling – Live at Albert Hall, Manchester (LP)

There are also 15 special War Child charity releases — with £1 from every unit sold going to support children affected by conflict — from artists including The Cure, Fleetwood Mac, Primal Scream and The Streets.

Tips for Record Store Day 2026

Get there early. The most sought-after releases sell out within minutes of shops opening. Serious collectors often queue from the early hours. Check with your local shop in advance to find out what time they open their doors.

Know what you want. The full release list is available now at recordstoreday.co.uk. Go in with a shortlist — trying to browse and decide on the day will cost you time you don't have.

You can't reserve anything. Shops are bound by the RSD code of conduct, which strictly prohibits reserving stock for customers. It's first come, first served — full stop.

Find your nearest shop. Use the store locator at recordstoreday.co.uk to find participating shops near you. Not all shops stock every release, so it's worth calling ahead if there's something specific you're after.

Don't panic if you miss out. Any unsold stock goes on sale online from 8pm on Monday 20th April. And if that sells out too — read on.

Missed Out? Here's What to Do Next

The honest truth about Record Store Day is that the most hyped releases sell out fast — often before most people have had their morning coffee. If you don't make it on the day, or your local shop doesn't stock what you were after, don't let it dampen your love of vinyl. We will likely pick up some stock so, if there is something you are after, get in touch and we will try and source it for you.

At Viking Records, we stock a huge range of classic and contemporary vinyl LPs available year-round, with fast UK delivery and no queuing required. Whether you're after the artists featured in this year's RSD list or want to explore their back catalogues properly, we've got you covered:

Record Store Day is a brilliant celebration of everything that makes vinyl special — but the joy of building a collection doesn't begin and end on one Saturday in April. Happy hunting.

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