The cost of Glastonbury tickets has risen from £265 plus a £5 booking fee in 2019 (the last time tickets went on sale) to £335 plus a £5 booking fee for the 2023 edition of the festival.
Anyone who put down their £50 deposit in 2019 for the 2020 festival ended up paying £280 plus a £5 booking fee to attend the 2022 festival, an increase that reflected rising costs in between.
As fans expressed dismay at the 19% increase in costs in real terms between the price of a 2022 and a 2023 ticket, co-organizer Emily Eavis hit back on Twitter.
“We’ve tried really hard to minimize the increase in ticket prices, but we’re facing huge increases in the costs of running this big show, even as we’re still recovering from the huge financial impact of two years without a festival due to Covid.
“The £50 deposit on ticket day in November will be the same as always, with the balance not due until April.”
He said regular opportunities would be available for “thousands of people” to volunteer or work as part of the crew.
“In these incredibly difficult times, we want to continue to bring you the best show in the world and provide our charities with funds that are more vital than ever. As always, we greatly appreciate your continued support.”
Comparable festivals have not been subject to such drastic ticket price increases. A 2023 ticket for Reading and Leeds festivals is slightly cheaper than 2022; tickets for the Green Man in Wales have increased from £210 for 2022 to £235 for 2023; End of the Road has gone from £190 to £235.
Emily Eavis introduces Greta Thunberg on stage at Glastonbury 2022. Photo: Guy Bell/Rex/Shutterstock
Glastonbury’s price hike may seem more marked because no event was held in 2021, when some of its competitors returned, and most ticket sales for the canceled 2020 event move to your return this year, which means that the increase in costs has been less. incremental
However, all UK festivals are facing rising inflation – in 2020 the UK average rate was around 1%, with many festivals honoring 2020 ticket prices by to their returns in 2021 or 2022; this year it has increased by more than 9%.
The events also address supply chain pressures, shortages of technical and security staff, many of whom were recycled into other industries when the 2020 lockdowns rendered their jobs obsolete for a period, and the British tourism infrastructure companies that are rebasing in Europe to adapt to the new Brexit rules. around equipment transport.
In addition, there has been a surprising increase in show cancellations, even by established musicians who admit that touring has become unaffordable, as well as the cost-of-living crisis shaking up demand from the public to the industry, as ticket purchases become luxury items.
The UK music industry is also still a third smaller than it was before the pandemic. Last month, UK Music, the body representing artists, labels and the live industry, called for a package of support including tax relief, a VAT cut for struggling venues and streamlining of restrictions affecting workers and travel between Europe and the UK.
Glastonbury coach tickets go on sale on 3rd November, with standard tickets to follow on 6th November. Prospective buyers must register in advance, as part of Glastonbury’s effort to prevent tickets ending up in the hands of sellers.
Next year’s festival will take place from June 21 to 25. No headliners have been announced, but Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis has previously said that top-billing acts for 2023 and 2024 are already underway.
This story was amended on 18 October 2022 to reflect the real-world cost of attending Glastonbury 2022, which increased from £265 to £280 among fans who made deposits in 2019 for the 2020 festival , which was canceled and fulfill the balance of the 2022 edition this March.