Glastonbury reveals 2009 ticket plans

United Kingdom | | 27 August 2008

Michael Eavis has revealed ticketing plans for Glastonbury 2009 which will see the festival go on sale earlier than ever before.

Fans will be able to buy or order tickets for next summer's event from 5 October, while registration will start as early as 1 September.

In the past, organisers have kept all tickets back until April but this year Glastonbury Festival suffered from poor ticket sales right up until a few days before when it finally sold out.

The festival relies on selling out in order to fulfill its financial commitments to a number of charities, including Oxfam, Water Aid and Greenpeace.

So for the first time this year fans will be invited to buy tickets early, or put down a £50 deposit, from Sunday, 5 October.

In addition, festival-goers who have registered will now be able to buy up to six tickets for registered friends and family in one transaction.

Next year’s Glastonbury runs for five full days - from Wednesday 24 June until Sunday 28 June 2009 – at Worthy Farm, Pilton in Somerset.

Michael Eavis said: ”We have come up with a scheme that will allow people a much longer period to plan and pay for their tickets, while still continuing the battle against ticket touting.

“By paying as little as £50 up front this year, festival-goers from all over the world will be able to guarantee a ticket for next year’s event. At the same time the very successful registration scheme will ensure that tickets will only go to those named individuals who have reserved them in advance.”

Many festival-goers have already registered their names for the 2009 event and will therefore have their all-important registration number. Anyone who hasn't registered will be able to do so when registration re-opens on 1 September.

Those without internet access can apply for a registration form (enclosing an SAE) to Glastonbury, PO Box 2445, Glasgow G40 9AG.

When the booking lines open at 9am on 5 October, all registered festival-goers will have two options. They can either buy a full weekend ticket at a price of £175 (plus a booking fee of £5). Alternatively, tickets can be reserved at a cost of £50 per ticket. The balance will be payable by 1 February 2009.

Early rumours for next year's headliners include Radiohead and Coldplay after Eavis hinted he would be returning to more traditional bands following the controversy over Jay-Z.