- 55% of music fans will pay to upgrade their festival experience this year
- Posh toilets top the list of festival add-ons, followed by early entry and premium camping
- Festival goers expect to spend an average of £483 on their festival experience
More than half of UK music festival goers are opting for luxury upgrades this summer, with many spending hundreds of pounds on extras such as posh toilets, VIP access, glamping, premium camping and early entry.
New research from Spring, the savings app, found that 55% of people attending festivals this year have either already bought, or expect to buy, a paid upgrade.
The most popular upgrades show that festival goers are often paying for convenience, comfort and a more premium experience. Among those who have bought, plan to buy or are considering upgrades, 35% are paying for welfare or pamper areas, such as better quality toilets, and 31% said they would pay for early entry passes.
More than a quarter (27%) said they would spend on premium camping areas with their own tent or camper van, with 26% booking glamping or boutique camping areas. The same proportion would book VIP passes and access to exclusive areas, while 21% paid for an extra day of entertainment.
The cost of upgrading can be significant. Festival goers expect to spend an average of £192 on VIP or exclusive area access, £167 on premium camping areas and £162 on glamping or boutique camping. Early entry passes are expected to cost an average of £125, while pre-paid food and drink packages average £117.
The findings suggest festival upgrades are becoming a meaningful part of the overall cost of attending live music events, particularly among younger adults. Three quarters (75%) of 25 to 34-year-olds said they have already bought, or expect to buy, a paid festival upgrade this year, compared with 59% of 35 to 44-year-olds, 48% of 45 to 54-year-olds and 34% of those aged 55 and over.
Younger festival goers are also among the biggest spenders on premium extras. Those aged 18 to 24 expect to spend an average of £255 on VIP or exclusive area access and £214 on glamping or boutique camping upgrades, while 25 to 34-year-olds expect to spend £242 on VIP access and £193 on premium camping areas.
In total, festival goers expect to spend an average of £483 on their whole festival experience, including any upgrades and food and drink whilst there. Across total festival spending, 25 to 34-year-olds expect to spend the most on the festival they will spend the most money on this year, at an average of £532.
More than a third (35%) said added comfort, such as a more comfortable overall experience, would be their main reason for paying for upgrades. A further 29% said they would pay to treat themselves and make the festival feel more special, while 19% cited convenience or time-saving benefits such as skipping queues or reducing hassle.
Derek Sprawling, Head of Money at Spring, said:
“Festivals have always been about the experience, but our research shows that more people are choosing to spend extra on comfort, convenience and a little bit of added luxury.
“For many festival goers, the ticket is only part of the total cost. Upgrades such as VIP access, glamping, premium camping and early entry can add a significant amount to the overall spend, especially when food, drink, travel and merchandise are also taken into account.
“That makes planning ahead important. Spring is designed to help people set money aside for the things they are looking forward to, while keeping a clear view of what they can afford to spend.”
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Notes to editors
- The research was conducted by Censuswide among a sample of 1,000 UK consumers attending festivals this year. The data was collected between 15 May and 22 May 2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society and the British Polling Council, and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. Censuswide adheres to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.
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