Electric Picnic is one of the most popular music festivals in Ireland, attracting around 70,000 attendees each year. With a stellar lineup of musicians, comedians, and artists, it’s no wonder tickets sell out extremely quickly.
How popular is Electric Picnic?
Electric Picnic has grown massively in popularity since its inaugural event in 2004. That first year saw approximately 10,000 people attend the festival in Stradbally, County Laois. By 2019, the last Picnic before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, attendance had swelled to around 70,000 festival-goers.
It’s now one of the largest and most recognizable events on the Irish cultural calendar. Its broad appeal is evident in the diversity of acts and experiences on offer, from rock, pop, and rap artists on the main stage to comedy, theatre, art, wellness activities, and extensive food and drink options.
When do Electric Picnic tickets go on sale?
Given the massive interest in Electric Picnic, the ticket sale date is eagerly anticipated each year. Tickets usually go on sale around November or December for the following year’s festival. The exact on-sale date is announced ahead of time on the official Electric Picnic website and social media pages.
People keen to attend are advised to be ready and waiting on the ticket sale start time, as the most popular ticket types are likely to sell out fast.
What ticket types are available?
There are a few different ticket options to choose from:
- Weekend camping tickets – Allow access to the entire festival weekend, including camping on site
- Sunday day tickets – For those just wanting to attend part of the festival
- Family weekend camping tickets – For 2 adults and 2 children under 12
- Campervan/caravan passes – For those wanting to have their own non-tent accommodation
Weekend camping tickets are generally the most popular as they allow you to fully experience all 3 days of the festival.
How quickly do tickets sell out?
In short, Electric Picnic tickets sell out extremely fast!
Most ticket types are usually sold out within a day of going on sale. Weekend camping tickets in particular tend to sell out within hours, if not sooner.
To illustrate just how rapid Electric Picnic sellouts have been in recent years:
Year | Sellout Time |
---|---|
2019 | Under 3 hours |
2018 | 90 minutes |
2017 | Under 30 minutes |
As you can see, tickets have been selling out faster and faster each year due to the festival’s surging attendance numbers.
Why do tickets sell so quickly?
There are a few key reasons behind Electric Picnic’s lightning-fast sellouts:
- High demand – As mentioned, it’s now one of Ireland’s most popular festivals with perennially strong lineups.
- Limited capacity – Stradbally can only accommodate around 70,000 people due to space and licensing constraints.
- Loyal fans – Many veteran attendees buy tickets year after year.
- FOMO – The fear of missing out drives quick sales as no one wants to miss the festival’s unique and fun atmosphere.
Together, these factors create a fierce competition for tickets each year. Savvy fans know that within minutes, availability will be scarce.
Does Electric Picnic sell out before the lineup is announced?
Yes, Electric Picnic does generally sell out completely before the first artist is even announced for the lineup.
The lineup release tends to happen in March or April, several months after the initial ticket sale. So thousands snap up tickets with no knowledge of who will be performing. This demonstrates how the festival’s stellar reputation precedes it.
What’s the best way to get Electric Picnic tickets?
Here are some top tips for boosting your chances of Electric Picnic ticket success:
- Register in advance – Creating an account at Eventbrite or Ticketmaster will save precious seconds at checkout.
- Get online early – Be logged in ahead of the start time in case tickets go on sale slightly early.
- Use multiple devices – Have friends/family try on other laptops/phones as backup.
- Have payment details ready – Enter these ahead of time so you’re not wasting time inputting info.
- Aim for weekend camping tickets – These are the most in-demand so you’ll want to act fast.
- Act fast – Check out the second you access tickets, don’t hesitate!
Persistence and speed are key. Many people have to try again in the ticket resale the following March. Set up email alerts so you’ll be notified if more tickets are released.
What’s the Electric Picnic ticket resale?
The ticket resale provides a second opportunity for festival hopefuls to get their hands on tickets. It takes place every March leading up to the festival.
Some tickets get put back into availability for a variety of reasons, like people’s plans changing. The resale allows people to return or resell unwanted tickets via the official ticket partners.
Demand still far outweighs supply, so you have to act just as quickly for the resale. But it does offer one last shot after the initial sale disappointment.
Can you buy Electric Picnic tickets at the gate?
No, there are no tickets available to purchase at the gates of Electric Picnic. The festival is completely sold out well in advance, so you will not be able to just show up and buy a ticket on the day.
The only way to gain entry is to have purchased a ticket during the official sale or resale. Security is tight, and you will not make it into the festival grounds without a valid ticket.
What’s the average Electric Picnic ticket price?
Ticket prices vary based on type, but weekend camping tickets tend to be the most expensive. Here are approximate prices:
- Weekend camping – €260 – €300
- Sunday day ticket – €99.50
- Family weekend camping – €620
- Campervan/caravan – €140
There are some extra fees for things like early-entry upgrades and minors’ wristbands. But €260 – €300 is typical for most people attending the full weekend.
Are there payment plan options?
Yes, Electric Picnic offers payment plan options to help spread the cost over time. Typically, you make a small upfront payment at the time of booking then schedule additional payments over the next few months.
Payment plans open up the festival to more people by easing the financial burden. Just be aware the initial deposit is non-refundable, so only commit if you’re sure of going.
Can you get Electric Picnic tickets cheaper anywhere else?
It’s best to avoid unofficial channels and only buy from official ticket partners like Ticketmaster. Buying from third parties like Viagogo runs the risk of ending up with fraudulent or invalid tickets.
You may come across people reselling tickets on DoneDeal et al. But this is risky as you can’t guarantee legitimacy. Plus, resale prices are normally inflated well above face value.
Unfortunately, there’s no secret trick to get substantially cheaper Electric Picnic tickets. Limited supply allows the official sellers to command top dollar. Your best budget option is the early bird pricing.
What’s the capacity of Electric Picnic?
Electric Picnic has a maximum capacity of around 70,000 attendees. The festival takes place on the grounds of Stradbally Hall, covering approximately 600 acres.
The capacity is dictated by the event license granted by Laois County Council. This takes into account factors like space, facilities, safety, and noise levels for local residents. The Council work closely with festival organizers to determine workable capacity limits.
While 70,000 may sound big, it pales in comparison to some other European festivals boasting over 200,000 attendees. But Stradbally remains a perfect fit for Electric Picnic’s unique boutique vibe.
Has Electric Picnic ever not sold out?
Electric Picnic has sold out every year consecutively since 2007. Prior to that, some editions came close but did not completely sell out.
Its early years saw more gradual ticket sales rather than instant sellouts. Capacity was lower then too. But ever since it became a firm fixture on the festival calendar, Electric Picnic has consistently hit capacity.
Even in 2020 and 2021 when the festival was cancelled due to Covid-19, existing ticket holders rolled their bookings over. So the festival remains a complete sellout well in advance.
Will Electric Picnic expand capacity in the future?
There are currently no plans for Electric Picnic to expand beyond its approved 70,000 capacity. Organizers seem committed to retaining its signature boutique atmosphere.
However, never say never. As pressures grow to accommodate more people, limited expansion may happen gradually over time. But a massive jump seems unlikely given the site constraints.
For now, tickets will remain capped at approximately 70,000 per day. Prospective attendees need to act fast every year to secure the coveted tickets. Smart fans are already planning their ticket strategy for Electric Picnic 2024 and beyond!
Conclusion
Electric Picnic’s popularity has grown exponentially since starting out in 2004. Tickets now sell out in record time each year, generally within an hour of release. Huge demand coupled with tight capacity of around 70,000 make tickets a hot commodity.
To have a chance at weekend camping tickets, you need to be online the moment they go on sale with payment details ready. Tenacity and persistence may pay off in the ticket resale, but you’ll still need lightning-fast checkout speed.
There’s no secret trick for finding cheap tickets; legitimate ones will cost you the standard rate. Your best bet is paying a small deposit via the payment plan months in advance.
While securing tickets is challenging, those lucky enough to go will be rewarded with an amazing atmosphere and memories to last a lifetime.