Reading Festival is one of the most popular music festivals in the UK, attracting tens of thousands of fans every year. With big name rock, indie, and alternative acts on the lineup, Reading Festival tickets are always in high demand.
In the opening paragraphs, it’s important to provide some quick answers to key questions about Reading Festival ticket prices. Here are some quick facts:
- Weekend tickets for Reading Festival 2022 cost £232 per person (including booking fees).
- Day tickets for Reading Festival 2022 were £90 per person (including booking fees).
- Ticket prices for Reading Festival typically increase each year, usually by £10-20.
- The cheapest tickets are available when they first go on sale, up to a year in advance.
Below we’ll take a deeper look at Reading Festival ticket prices over the years, including day and weekend passes. We’ll also discuss what factors into the ticket pricing and why prices have steadily increased over time.
Weekend Tickets
Weekend tickets give access to the full three days of Reading Festival. These tickets are highly sought after and sell out the fastest.
Here’s a breakdown of historical weekend ticket prices for Reading Festival:
Year | Weekend Ticket Price |
---|---|
2010 | £180 |
2015 | £205 |
2019 | £232 |
2022 | £232 |
As you can see, weekend ticket prices have steadily increased over the past decade, going up by about £50 from 2010 to 2022. The ticket price remained flat at £232 from 2019 to 2022.
Factors Behind Weekend Ticket Pricing
There are a few key factors that impact the pricing for Reading Festival weekend tickets:
- Lineup strength – The biggest factor is the strength of the lineup for that year. If Reading books more A-list headliners and popular acts, they can charge more.
- Production costs – Organizing and running a massive festival like Reading isn’t cheap. Costs for stages, sound, lights, staffing increase over time.
- Demand – Reading Festival sells out quickly every year. High demand allows them to inch up prices annually.
- Booking fees – External booking fees through ticket vendors like See Tickets also drive up the final ticket price.
While ticket prices are undoubtedly high, Reading Festival still manages to sell out in record time every year. Fans vista the value of the experience as worth the higher ticket costs.
Day Tickets
In addition to full weekend tickets, Reading Festival offers single day passes so fans can attend one day only. Here are the historical day ticket prices:
Year | Day Ticket Price |
---|---|
2010 | £65 |
2015 | £70 |
2019 | £79.50 |
2022 | £90 |
Day tickets have followed a similar upward trajectory as weekend passes, increasing by around £25 over 12 years. Day tickets offer a more affordable way for fans on a budget to experience some of the festival.
Comparing Day & Weekend Tickets
Looking at the difference in prices between day and weekend tickets over the years shows how much more expensive the full weekend is:
Year | Weekend Ticket | Day Ticket | Difference |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | £180 | £65 | £115 |
2015 | £205 | £70 | £135 |
2019 | £232 | £79.50 | £152.50 |
2022 | £232 | £90 | £142 |
There is at least a £115 difference between day and weekend tickets. With the experience spanning three days, plus additional late night performances, weekend tickets offer significantly more value and access.
Other Ticket Types
In addition to standard weekend and day tickets, there are also other specialized Reading Festival ticket options:
- Early entry tickets – Gain access to the festival site before general opening. Around £20 extra.
- Camping packages – Book a tent pitch or campervan spot for the weekend. From £40-£150.
- Lockers – Reserve a locker for safe storage during the festival. Around £20.
- Car parking – Book long-stay parking at the festival. Around £30-60.
These additional packages and upgrades allow attendees to customize and enhance their festival experience.
Tips for Saving on Tickets
For fans looking to get Reading Festival tickets for less, here are some money-saving tips:
- Buy early – Weekend tickets always start around £200, so grab them as soon as they go on sale.
- Go for a day ticket – Choose one day with your must-see acts instead of the full weekend.
- Travel off-peak – Take public transportation or drive outside of peak hours to reduce costs.
- BYO food & drink – Bring your own supplies rather than buying overpriced fare inside.
- Skip extra amenities – Things like lockers, parking, early entry aren’t necessities.
With smart planning, you can experience Reading Festival without breaking the bank. The music and memories are well worth it.
How Do Prices Compare to Other UK Festivals?
It’s also useful to look at how Reading Festival ticket prices stack up against other major UK music festivals:
Festival | 2022 Weekend Ticket Price |
---|---|
Reading Festival | £232 |
Leeds Festival | £259.50 |
Glastonbury | £280 |
Isle of Wight Festival | £175 |
Download Festival | £255 |
Boomtown Fair | £195 |
Reading is on the more affordable end for UK festivals, with similarly large events like Glastonbury and Download costing £40-80 more for the weekend. Smaller festivals can dip below £200.
Factors Impacting Festival Ticket Prices
Some of the key factors that cause pricing differences between UK festivals:
- Size and scale – Larger festivals tend to have higher overhead costs.
- Lineup – Festivals book different caliber acts, affecting ticket demand.
- Location – Events held in/near major cities are pricier.
- Amenities – Things like campgrounds, showers, add-ons raise costs.
- Duration – Full weekend festivals charge more than 1-2 day fests.
Reading Festival’s combination of size, lineup strength, location, and duration make it one of the top mid-priced festival options.
Are Tickets Worth the Rising Prices?
While no fan loves to see ticket prices increase each year, Reading Festival still provides immense value considering everything that’s included:
- See around 100 of the hottest acts across three days.
- Experience state-of-the-art production, lights, sound.
- Access to onsite food, drinks, activities.
- Camp out and enjoy late night entertainment.
- Party among thousands of fellow rock music fans.
Beyond the world-class music, festivals like Reading provide a full immersive experience. Lifelong memories are formed and friendships made. That’s tough to put a price tag on!
Conclusion
Reading Festival has clearly become more expensive over the past decade, with weekend tickets now over £200 and day passes close to £100. This reflects rising organizational costs, booking of top artists, and high fan demand. However, Reading still offers a great value compared to many other UK festivals. For the iconic cultural experience and amazing lineup, most music fans still find the ticket prices worthwhile. While some complain about creeping price hikes annually, tickets continue to sell out faster every year. Reading’s reputation as one of the best festivals remains rock solid.