European Festival Survey: Only one-sixth of festivals sell out
Key findings from IQ’s survey show that just 17% of festivals in Europe reported a complete sell-out, while a portion navigated boycott calls
News By Eamonn Forde | 28 January 2026
IQ‘s newly released European Festival Survey 2025 paints a sector in flux, but events in their early years appear to be lasting the course. The annual survey of hundreds of festival organisers from across the continent reveals how festivals are performing.
Some 86% of festival respondents are classed as “established,” with 17% being between their sixth and 10th editions, while the remaining 69% have been through 11 editions or more.
Of the 14% classed as “new,” none were box-fresh for 2025, suggesting a strong…
You've used your free article this month
Continue reading with a free account, or subscribe for unlimited access to all of our news, features and reports.
