A new study has revealed that TRNSMT Festival is the ninth-most expensive music event in the UK, charging £89.50 per day.
The research examined ticket prices for over 300 UK festivals scheduled in 2025, calculating the cost per day based on the minimum ticket price.
The study used data collected from eFestivals and official festival websites, with additional information gathered from ticketing platforms. The analysis focused on events with confirmed 2025 dates and published ticket prices to ensure accuracy in the rankings. Price per day was calculated by dividing the minimum ticket price by the number of days it covers, creating a standardized comparison across events of different durations.
The top 10 most expensive UK festivals in 2025 (cost per day)
| Rank | Festival Name | Price Per Day |
| 1 | Leeds Festival 2025 | £125.00 |
| 1 | Reading Festival 2025 | £125.00 |
| 2 | BST Hyde Park 2025 | £101.95 |
| 3 | Homestead Festival 2025 | £100.00 |
| 4 | Parklife Weekender 2025 | £97.70 |
| 5 | Bloodstock 2025 | £96.00 |
| 6 | Forever Now 2025 | £95.00 |
| 7 | Wireless Festival 2025 | £94.60 |
| 8 | The Big Feastival 2025 | £93.50 |
| 9 | TRNSMT Festival 2025 | £89.50 |
| 10 | Carfest 2025 | £89.00 |
Leeds Festival and Reading Festival, both running from Wednesday 20th to Sunday 24th August 2025, share first place as the UK’s most expensive festivals based on the minimum day ticket price. These events, which typically feature similar lineups across their separate locations, require £125 for a single day’s attendance.
BST Hyde Park ranked second most expensive at £101.95 per day. However, it comes with the advantage of a central London location and typically A-list headliners. The event runs from Saturday 21st June to Thursday 17th July 2025.
If you’re looking for a festival with multi-day camping and a diverse lineup, Homestead Festival, which was ranked third among all events at £100 per day, is a popular option. The festival takes place from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th July 2025 at Fernhill Farm in Somerset.
Parklife Weekender is fourth on the list of costliest festivals at £97.70 per day, scheduled for Sunday 8th to Monday 9th June 2025 in Manchester.
Bloodstock, known for its heavy metal focus and devoted fan base, ranked fifth on the price index at £96 per day.
Forever Now (£95), Wireless Festival (£94.60), The Big Feastival (£93.50), TRNSMT Festival (£89.50), and Carfest (£89.00) complete the top ten most expensive UK festivals for daily ticket prices.
The study found a huge price gap between the most expensive and most affordable options. While Leeds and Reading charge £125 per day, Swanage Blues festival costs just £3.75 daily, Live on the Wye £3.50, and Chester Folk Festival £3.25. These budget-friendly options cost over 97% less than the premium events.
Paul LENGLET, co-founder and editor of CritiqueJeu, commented on the findings: “Seeing the variation in cost for these festivals can lead to a ‘something for everyone’ ideal, however, with the cost of living still high and the UK public suffering from hits to their wallets, it’s time to question whether the festivals are giving value for money.
“Festival-goers should consider what they value most in their experience. The headline acts and production values at Leeds and Reading justify their premium pricing for many attendees, but the amenities on offer are often basic portable toilets and junk food stands. Whereas, smaller events often offer more distinctive atmospheres and community connections that appeal to different audiences.”