Jingle Bell Ball London 2026: Line-Up, Set Times and How Much are Tickets
- Last Updated On
- Mark Apostolou
The Jingle Bell Ball is one of the most eagerly-awaited events on the London music calendar and 2026's edition is already attracting a great deal of interest and that's before it's even been confirmed who will be playing at the O2 Arena.
John Legend is reportedly in advanced talks to headline the Jingle Bell Ball 2026, with Mariah Carey tipped for a special guest slot. Capital is yet to confirm a single act, but resale tickets for The O2 already start from £262 on SeatPick.
The rumour mill has been turning since early October, and the official announcement is now due any day. Here is every name linked with this year’s show, how likely each one looks, and what fans are paying to be there before the line-up is even known.
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Jingle Bell Ball 2026 Line-Up Rumours and Tickets: Key Takeaways
- The Sun reports John Legend could headline both nights, with Mariah Carey, Becky Hill, Jamie Miller, Alex Warren and Troye Sivan all linked with the bill.
- Capital has confirmed nothing yet, but the show is expected at The O2 on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December 2026, with the line-up likely to be revealed on Capital Breakfast in early November.
- Resale tickets for the Sunday currently start from £262 on SeatPick, with an average price of around £720.
When Is Jingle Bell Ball London 2026? Rumoured Dates at The O2
Capital has promised the Jingle Bell Ball will return in 2026 but has not published official dates. Reports and ticket listings all point to Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December 2026 at The O2 Arena in Greenwich.
That fits the pattern of every recent edition, which has run across the first full weekend of December. The event has been held at The O2 every year since 2008, apart from 2020 when it was cancelled during the pandemic.
Jingle Bell Ball 2026 Line-Up Rumours: Every Act Linked So Far
The biggest story so far came from The Sun at the start of October. It reported that Capital is in advanced talks with John Legend to top the bill, potentially across both nights.
Several other names have been attached to the same reports. None have been confirmed by Capital, so treat everything below as speculation until the official announcement.
| Artist | Rumoured Role | SeatPick’s Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| John Legend | Headliner, possibly both nights | Strong |
| Becky Hill | Main bill | Strong |
| Alex Warren | Main bill | Likely |
| Jamie Miller | Main bill | Likely |
| Mariah Carey | Special guest on one night | Possible |
| Troye Sivan | Main bill | Possible |
Our verdicts are SeatPick’s own read, based on each artist’s history with Capital and their known December schedule. Here is the reasoning behind each one.
John Legend: Jingle Bell Ball 2026 Headliner?
If the reports are right, John Legend would be one of the most festive headliners the Ball has booked in years. He released a full Christmas album, A Legendary Christmas, in 2018, so a seasonal set alongside All of Me would be an easy fit.
The detail that stands out is the suggestion he could close both nights. Capital normally gives each night its own headliner, so a double booking would be a change of approach and a clear sign of how much they want him.
Mariah Carey: Special Guest at the Jingle Bell Ball?
Mariah Carey is reportedly in talks for a special guest slot on one of the two nights. The timing makes sense, as she is already booked for her own show at The O2 on 19 December 2026.
She also has recent history with Capital, having performed at the Summertime Ball at Wembley in June 2025. A short appearance to perform All I Want for Christmas Is You would be the most on-brand moment imaginable, but a guest slot is a much harder thing to lock in than a headline set.
Becky Hill: A Jingle Bell Ball Regular
Becky Hill is the safest bet on this list. She played the Jingle Bell Ball three years running between 2022 and 2024, so a return after a year off would surprise nobody.
Alex Warren: Back for a Second Year?
Alex Warren played the Sunday night last December, and he is very much in festive-show mode again this year. He is booked for several dates on iHeartRadio’s US Jingle Ball tour, but his first one is not until Detroit on 8 December.
That leaves the weekend of 5 and 6 December clear for a London appearance. Capital and its American counterpart have shared big names before, and Warren’s calendar lines up neatly.
Jamie Miller and Troye Sivan: The Wildcards
Jamie Miller is reportedly being lined up on the back of his recent chart success, and Capital has been giving him plenty of coverage on its own channels. That kind of on-air support has often been a precursor to a Ball booking.
Troye Sivan is the name with the least detail behind it. He has been mentioned in the rumours, but there is no report of talks being advanced, so we would treat him as an outside chance for now.
Which Stars Are Unlikely to Play the Jingle Bell Ball 2026?
The US iHeartRadio Jingle Ball tour runs from 1 to 17 December, and its schedule rules out some of the obvious candidates. RAYE, who played The O2 last year, is booked for Los Angeles on 4 December and Chicago on 7 December, which makes a London trip in between very unlikely.
Olivia Rodrigo is in Los Angeles on 4 December, and Katseye open the US tour in Fort Worth on 1 December. On the other hand, Sombr does not start his US Jingle Ball run until 11 December, so he is one name we would keep an eye on, even though no reports have linked him to London yet.
When Will the Jingle Bell Ball 2026 Line-Up Be Announced?
Capital has said only that the line-up will be revealed in the autumn. Historically, it has done this on Capital Breakfast in late October or the first week of November, with night one and night two announced on consecutive mornings.
Tickets have then followed within days, starting with a presale on the Global Player app before a general sale the next morning. Last year’s general sale sold out on the day, so having a Global Player account ready is the best preparation you can make.
Jingle Bell Ball 2026 Set Times: What to Expect
Official set times are usually released by Capital on the day of each show. Based on recent editions, expect the music to start shortly after 6pm and finish at around 10pm or slightly later, with each act playing a short, hits-heavy set.
Ticket listings show a 4.30pm time for the Sunday, which lines up with doors opening. Capital has also streamed the show free on Global Player and YouTube in previous years for anyone who cannot make it to Greenwich.
How Much Are Jingle Bell Ball 2026 Tickets?
Official face-value prices for 2026 will not be known until Capital opens sales. The resale market, however, is already active, and SeatPick is comparing 95 tickets for the Sunday 6 December show across trusted resellers.
| Date | Event + Venue | Price (£) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 December 2026 | Starting price, Jingle Bell Ball, The O2 | £262 |
| 6 December 2026 | Average price, Jingle Bell Ball, The O2 | £720 |
| 6 December 2026 | Top price, Jingle Bell Ball, The O2 | £1,014 |
All prices are based on SeatPick resale listings as of 29 October 2026. The market moves fast, so availability and pricing will vary.
The cheapest seats are currently in Section 110, one of the lower-tier blocks at The O2. Only the Sunday is listed on SeatPick so far, so the Saturday may well appear once Capital confirms the dates.
Jingle Bell Ball 2026 Resale Prices: What the Rumours Mean for Your Wallet
Fans paying £262 or more right now are effectively buying blind. On the day 2025 tickets sold out, resale prices on the major sites were reported to start at roughly £195 to £241, and that was with the full line-up already known.
That tells us demand for the event itself is driving prices, not any single name. It also means the line-up announcement could move the market sharply in either direction.
If John Legend and Mariah Carey are confirmed for the same night, expect that date to become the hot ticket. If Legend really does headline both nights, demand should be spread more evenly, and the difference between Saturday and Sunday prices may be smaller than usual.
Our advice is to wait for the announcement unless you simply want to be there whoever plays. Once you know which night your favourite act is on, you can compare listings and avoid paying a premium for the wrong date.
For fans who want more of the same in summer, Capital’s sister event, the Summertime Ball, returns to Wembley each June.
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Jingle Bell Ball London 2026 Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Headlining the Jingle Bell Ball 2026?
Nothing is confirmed yet. The Sun has reported that John Legend is in advanced talks to headline, possibly on both nights, with Mariah Carey linked to a special guest slot.
When Is the Jingle Bell Ball 2026 Line-Up Announced?
Capital has not set a date, but it usually reveals the line-up on Capital Breakfast in late October or early November. Tickets typically go on sale within a few days of the announcement.
How Much Are Jingle Bell Ball 2026 Tickets?
Official prices have not been released. On the resale market, SeatPick listings for Sunday 6 December currently start from £262, with an average price of around £720.
What Time Does the Jingle Bell Ball 2026 Start?
Official set times will be published closer to the show. Based on recent years, expect the first act on stage shortly after 6pm and the night to finish at around 10pm.