**Glastonbury Festival Set to Reduce Ticket Sales for 2025 Amid Concerns Over Crowding**
Glastonbury Festival organisers have announced a notable adjustment ahead of this year’s highly anticipated event: a deliberate reduction in ticket sales for 2025, aimed at creating a more comfortable and manageable experience for attendees. This move comes as the world-famous music festival, usually attracting up to 210,000 revellers each year, readies itself for its upcoming run at Worthy Farm, Somerset, later this month.
Emily Eavis, co-organiser and daughter of festival founder Michael Eavis, revealed these changes during an appearance on the Sidetracked podcast. She explained that the decision to “sell a few thousand less tickets” was taken in direct response to concerns about overcrowding at the vast festival site, promising to monitor closely how the reduced audience impacts the event dynamics.
“We’ve deliberately held back on ticket sales this year to see how it changes the feel of the festival for everyone involved,” Ms Eavis stated. She added that making the space safer and more pleasant for both audience members and staff was of paramount importance, particularly after several years of booming demand and constantly sold-out tickets.
As ever, the Glastonbury line-up for 2025 is drawing significant attention. Headliners confirmed for the iconic Pyramid Stage include British band The 1975, legendary folk star Neil Young appearing with The Chrome Hearts, and American pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo. These headliners top a diverse bill, which continues to fuel Glastonbury’s reputation for showcasing both global superstars and up-and-coming talent.
Beyond the main stages, other areas of the festival are also making significant changes. Eavis highlighted the transformation of the famous Shangri-La area, which she described as “going full trees and green space”. Unlike previous years, where this section of the festival was renowned for its high-energy installations and nocturnal revelry, 2025 will see Shangri-La adopting a far greener, more ecology-focused environment. According to Eavis, this marks “a complete departure from what’s been done there before”, emphasising sustainability and a quieter retreat for festival-goers seeking respite from the larger crowds.
In a further development aimed at improving the overall festival experience, Glastonbury has managed to secure additional land just beyond the existing site boundary. This new space will provide operational support for festival crew and backstage teams, easing internal congestion and freeing up space within the main festival grounds for performers and ticket-holders alike.
Despite strong demand — with the first batch of tickets selling out in just 30 minutes last November and a second allocation gone in under 40 minutes — Eavis noted how dramatically the festival’s fortunes have turned around in recent decades. “There were years,” she remarked, “when you just couldn’t sell out, you couldn’t even give the tickets away.” Such anecdotes highlight Glastonbury’s remarkable journey to cultural relevance and enduring popularity.
The festival, scheduled for 25–29 June, promises a broad mix of performances. Alongside the headline acts, audiences can look forward to appearances from US rapper Doechii, celebrated British singer Raye, seasoned performer Sir Rod Stewart in the prestigious ‘legends’ slot, and Irish rap group Kneecap. Other acts set to take the stage include Gracie Abrams, alternative pop artist Charli XCX, and several mystery acts — with one enigmatic slot on the Pyramid Stage reserved for a group billed only as “Patchwork”. Eavis revealed she had been coordinating this act’s festival debut for over a year, citing logistical challenges but choosing not to reveal any further details.
In a nod to Glastonbury’s ongoing innovation, media personalities Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw are expected to record a live episode of their popular podcast, Sidetracked, on the BBC Introducing stage. This blend of live music and on-site media adds yet another layer to the festival’s multifaceted appeal.
With sustainability, safety, and innovation now at the core of its planning, the 2025 Glastonbury Festival looks set to build on tradition while embracing necessary change, providing a space where music, community, and the environment come together like nowhere else.