LONDON, UK — Glastonbury Festival organiser Emily Eavis has confirmed that the 2025 edition of the iconic event will host fewer people, with several thousand fewer tickets sold to help reduce overcrowding on site.
Speaking on the Sidetracked podcast, Eavis, 45, said the decision was part of a broader plan to improve the experience for festivalgoers. The festival, which normally welcomes around 210,000 people to Worthy Farm, will see a slightly smaller crowd this year.
“We’ve sold a few thousand fewer tickets, so it will be interesting just to see how that affects the dynamics on site,” Eavis explained. “It’s part of a wider effort to make things more comfortable and enjoyable for everyone.”
This year’s Glastonbury Festival runs from June 25 to June 29 and features a headline line-up that includes British band The 1975, folk legend Neil Young and his band the Chrome Hearts, and American pop star Olivia Rodrigo.
Eavis also shared that the popular music area Shangri-La is undergoing a major transformation. “They’re going full trees and green space,” she said. “It’s completely the opposite to anything they’ve done in the past.”
In addition to environmental upgrades, the festival has expanded slightly by purchasing land just outside the existing site. This new space will be used to accommodate crew members, easing pressure on the main grounds.
Despite the ticket cut, interest in the festival remains high. The first batch of tickets sold out in just 30 minutes last November, while the second group was gone in under 40 minutes.
Reflecting on the festival’s growing popularity, Eavis noted how times have changed. “There were years where you just couldn’t sell out. You couldn’t give the tickets away,” she recalled.
This year’s line-up spans multiple genres and generations. Performers include US rapper Doechii, UK breakout star Raye, and rock veteran Sir Rod Stewart, who will appear in the festival’s sought-after “Legends Slot.” Other acts include Irish rap trio Kneecap, American singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams, and alternative pop artist Charli XCX.
Mystery also surrounds the line-up, with several acts still listed as “TBA.” One act, named Patchwork, is scheduled to perform on the Pyramid Stage on Saturday. While Eavis remained tight-lipped about the identity of the artist, she said, “I’ve been working on Patchwork for a long time.” She added that the logistics had taken nearly a year to coordinate.
Elsewhere at the festival, BBC Radio presenters Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw will record a live episode of their Sidetracked podcast on June 26 at the BBC Introducing stage.
As Glastonbury approaches, anticipation continues to grow—not just for the music, but for the evolving atmosphere that Eavis and her team are working hard to cultivate.
