SEND IT 100: Portsmouth’s Biggest Weekend of Wheels, Music and City Pride Is Almost Here

A brand-new two-day celebration bringing world-class sport, huge live music and something for the whole family is set to take over Pitt St. this weekend – and tickets are selling fast.

Portsmouth is preparing to turn the volume up as Send It 100 arrives at Pitt St. Skatepark for a spectacular weekend celebrating 100 years since the city was granted city status.

Bringing together some of the biggest names in music, internationally recognised wheeled-sports athletes, local performers, independent traders and activities for all ages, Send It 100 promises to be one of the standout celebrations of Portsmouth’s centenary year.

And with Portsmouth’s student population now returning to the city – with the Freshers’ Fair taking place today – organisers are expecting the weekend to be one of the busiest events on the city’s calendar.

This isn't simply an extreme sports competition or another music festival.

Send It 100 has been created as a celebration of Portsmouth itself.

Staged at the city’s much-loved, not-for-profit Pitt St. Skatepark, the event has been made possible with support from Portsmouth City Council and is designed to give thousands of people the chance to experience a major event without the huge price tag often associated with festivals.

At the heart of the event is Pitt St. Skatepark, which has become a hugely important part of the south coasts wheeled-sports community.

The event is also being backed by Concrete Music, bringing together the worlds of live music and wheeled sports for a weekend unlike anything the city has seen before.

From Wheatus to Wilkinson – two very different days of music

Saturday will deliver an eclectic mix of acoustic, indie, rock and punk, with American favourites Wheatus taking top billing.

The band, famous for their worldwide hit Teenage Dirtbag, will be joined by Toploader, Dave McCabe of The Zutons, legendary DJ and broadcaster Don Letts, The Fratellis in DJ-set form and a strong collection of Portsmouth’s own musical talent.

Local acts including Mother Shipton, Blink Daze, Bloody Grungers and Paramour will also take to the stage, with more names still to be announced.

Then, on Sunday, the event completely changes gear.

Drum & bass and dance music take over Pitt St., with Wilkinson headlining alongside Ardee and Serum.

The Sunday line-up also features Shadow Child performing a Jungle set, Bbyclose, Dogger & Mindstate and a host of local DJs including Flash, Mjoi, Transmission, Dockem & AP, Sammy C, Linzee Spinzee and Drift.

For music fans, it means two very different festival experiences across one weekend – and a chance to see some major names alongside the artists helping to shape Portsmouth’s own music scene.

World-class riders come to Portsmouth

But music is only half of the story.

A huge vert ramp is being specially constructed for the event, giving internationally recognised riders the chance to perform and compete across skateboarding, BMX, scootering, inline and roller skating.

For Pitt St., this is a natural extension of what the skatepark already represents.

The venue's regular roller disco, indoor skating and skate jams will continue across the weekend, while The Academy of Wheels will provide free coaching sessions.

That means children, teenagers and adults who have never tried wheeled sports before can get involved themselves – rather than simply watching from the sidelines.

A festival for families, students and the whole city

One of the biggest attractions of Send It 100 is that it isn't aimed at just one audience.

Families are welcome, with workshops, food and drink, local traders, artists, skating activities and plenty to keep younger visitors entertained.

Parents can even make use of free Academy of Wheels coaching sessions, giving children the opportunity to try something new while grown-ups get some time to enjoy the music and atmosphere.

At the other end of the age spectrum, the arrival of thousands of students back in Portsmouth gives the event another huge potential audience.

With the Freshers’ Fair taking place today, the timing couldn't be better for students looking for something different to do this weekend.

For anyone new to the city, Send It 100 offers a chance to experience a very different side of Portsmouth – one built around music, creativity, community and the people who make the city what it is.

A celebration of Portsmouth – by Portsmouth

The event arrives at an important time for the city.

Portsmouth is celebrating its centenary as a city, while also looking towards an ambitious future following its longlisting for UK City of Culture 2029.

Send It 100 feels perfectly suited to that moment.

It showcases internationally recognised performers and riders, but at the same time puts local musicians, businesses, artists and community organisations centre stage.

And because Pitt St. Skatepark operates as a Community Interest Company, the money raised from the event will go directly back into the skatepark, helping support the facility, its programmes and the community that uses it.

That makes Send It 100 about more than one weekend.

It is an investment in a Portsmouth venue, its young people and the future of the city's creative and sporting communities.

Tickets are already moving

With tickets selling well and students now returning to Portsmouth, organisers are urging anyone planning to attend not to leave it until the last minute.

Whether you're a lifelong Portsmouth resident, a student experiencing the city for the first time, a parent looking for something different to do with the kids, a music fan, or someone who simply wants to see what happens when a city celebrates its identity properly, Send It 100 is shaping up to be a weekend worth being part of.

Two days.

Two very different musical experiences.

World-class wheeled sports.

Local talent.

Free coaching.

Food, drink, markets and activities for families.

And one of Portsmouth's most recognisable community venues at the centre of it all.

As Portsmouth celebrates 100 years of city status, Send It 100 is inviting the whole city to come together, get involved and – quite literally – send it.

With support from Portsmouth City Council, Skullcandy, New Balance Numeric, City of Portsmouth College, Neon Numbers, Spraywall Interiors and Guardian Installations, the event is set to be a major addition to the city's centenary celebrations.

Send It 100 isn't just another event coming to Portsmouth. It's a celebration of what makes the city different – and everyone is invited.