Glastonbury 2025 will see a significant change as organisers decide to hold the event below its maximum capacity of 210,000 attendees. Emily Eavis, one of the festival’s key organisers, revealed that this reduction is a deliberate trial aimed at avoiding the overcrowding issues that have surfaced during recent years.
Although tickets have sold out, the number of people allowed on site—including fans, staff, and performers—will be slightly lower than the licenced maximum. This decision follows concerns raised by the influx of crowds for headline acts like the Sugababes last year, which intensified congestion on the grounds.
To further enhance the festival experience, improvements have been made to key areas. The Other Stage, Glastonbury’s second-largest arena, has been expanded to offer more space for spectators. Charli XCX, set to headline there on Saturday night, is expected to draw a large audience. In addition, the Shangri-La nightlife area has grown thanks to newly acquired land, providing festival-goers with extra room to enjoy the festivities.
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Eavis explained that this year attendees will be encouraged to use multiple routes throughout the site to ease foot traffic. “There are about 10 different paths to wherever you want to go,” she said, hoping this will alleviate the formation of bottlenecks. This approach acknowledges subtle changes in crowd movement patterns since the Covid pandemic, with people tending to move more in groups.
The festival app, which features a schedule planner, will also play a crucial role in managing crowd dynamics. Organisers plan to monitor where people intend to go via the app’s data, helping them predict potential congestion points and respond accordingly. “The app was really accurate last year, allowing us to plan from a crowd perspective,” Eavis noted.
When asked about the mysterious Pyramid Stage act labelled as “Patchwork,” Eavis remained tight-lipped but hinted at extensive preparation. The moniker has sparked speculation that it might be a secret performance by Britpop icons Pulp, who were notably absent from the initial lineup.
Overall, this year’s Glastonbury festival aims to balance capacity with comfort, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable experience for all attendees through strategic space expansion and smarter crowd management.