Emily Eavis defends Glastonbury price hike

18 October 2022, 10:05

The festival organiser has released a statement explaining why the ticket cost for the festival has had to increase by £55 this year.

Emily Eavis has defended Glastonbury Festival's 2023 ticket price hike.

The festival returned for the first time in two years in 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic with tickets costing £280 plus a £5 booking fee.

However, this week it was revealed that next year's instalment of the festival would be setting music-lovers back by an extra £55 pounds, costing £335 plus a £5 booking fee.

Now, festival organiser Emily Eavis has spoken out about the decision, explaining the world-famous event faces "enormous running costs".

Taking to Twitter, she began: "I wanted to post about the 2023 Glastonbury ticket price which was announced today. We have tried very hard to minimise the increase in price on the ticket but we’re facing enormous rises in the costs of running this vast show, while still recovering from the huge financial impact of two years without a festival because of COVID."

READ MORE: Glastonbury Festival reveals ticket cost increase for 2023

Emily Eavis insisted the event was "still recovering from the huge financial impact" of the coronavirus pandemic and reminded festival-goers they still only needed to pay the £50 deposit on ticket sale day in November.

She added: "The £50 deposit on ticket sales day in November will be the same as ever, the balance not due until April. And, as always, there will be opportunities for many thousands of people to come as volunteers or as part of the crew.

"In these incredibly challenging times, we want to continue to bring you the best show in the world and provide our charities with funds which are more vital than ever. We are, as always, hugely appreciative of your ongoing support."

It isn't yet confirmed who will headline next year's festival, but it has been reported that Arctic Monkeys could return for a third time, after previously playing Glastonbury in 2003 and 2013 and that Eminem is 'in talks' over a headline slot.

READ MORE: How much is a Glastonbury ticket? How the price has changed over the years

Glastonbury tickets have always gradually increased over the years.

Ahead of the pandemic, in 2020 the tickets were increased to £280 + 5 booking fee.

For the festival's 40th anniversary in 2010, you could expect to pay £185 for a weekend ticket and enjoy the music of Muse, Stevie Wonder and Gorillaz (who stood in for an absent U2). And Thom Yorke did a secret show! A new photo registration system had been introduced in 2007, meaning forgeries and touting became increasingly difficult.

2003 saw the first time that a Glastonbury ticket price topped a full £100 for the entire weekend. The addition of a new security fence the previous year meant that the event was now better organised and much safer.

The original Glastonbury Fair in September 1970 - which featured a bill that included Tyrannosaurus rex - cost just £1 - plus you got free milk from Worthy Farm.

READ MORE: Glastonbury 2023: Here's how long you have to register for the festival