Getting tickets to Radio 1’s Big Weekend can be a challenge, as it is one of the most popular music festivals in the UK. Luckily, there are some tips and tricks to increase your chances of securing tickets to this highly anticipated event.
What is Radio 1’s Big Weekend?
Radio 1’s Big Weekend is a major music festival organized by BBC Radio 1. It features some of the biggest names in pop, rock, hip hop, and dance music. The festival happens annually, usually over a weekend in May. It is held in a different UK city each year, with past locations including Hull, Exeter, and Middlesbrough.
Big Weekend attracts around 50,000 music fans each day. The festival features four stages with live performances happening continuously throughout the weekend. In addition to the live music, there are food stalls, bars, fairground rides, and other activities to enjoy.
The festival is free to attend, but you need a ticket to gain entry. Competition for tickets is fierce, as demand far outweighs supply. But if you know the right steps to take, you can boost your chances of securing the coveted tickets.
When do tickets go on sale?
The key to getting Big Weekend tickets is taking action as soon as sales begin. Tickets usually go on sale in late February or early March, around 6-8 weeks before the festival. The specific on-sale date is announced on the Radio 1 website and social media channels.
Mark your calendar for the moment tickets go on sale. Set a reminder on your phone or computer so you don’t miss it. Being ready to pounce right when the purchase window opens will give you an advantage over more casual fans.
How can you get access to ticket pre-sales?
To gain early access before the general public, look out for pre-sale opportunities. There are a few ways to get into the pre-sale ticket rounds:
- Join the BBC Radio 1 Email Club – members often get access to an exclusive pre-sale.
- Follow Radio 1 on social media and look out for pre-sale announcements.
- Check if your mobile carrier or ISP is affiliated with any pre-sales.
- Watch for pre-sales via the festival ticketing partner, like Ticketmaster.
Supplies are still limited during pre-sales, but you’ll face less competition compared to the free-for-all general on-sale.
Register ahead of time on the ticket website
Radio 1 partners with a major ticket retailer like Ticketmaster to sell Big Weekend passes. Register for an account on their website well in advance of the on-sale date.
Entering your personal info ahead of time makes the checkout process faster. With tickets selling out in minutes, any time saved helps beat the clock. Make sure the billing info on your account is up to date too.
Use the ticket retailer’s app
On the day tickets go on sale, use the ticket seller’s mobile app to make your purchase instead of the desktop website. Apps are optimized for speed and often have a queue system to control traffic flow.
Download the app ahead of time and login so you’re ready to search for the event and enter the ticket queue quickly.
Be ready at your computer right at the sale start time
Log into the ticketing website 10-15 minutes early so you’re ready to search for the event listing as soon as tickets go live. Make sure to use a laptop or desktop instead of your mobile device for the fastest internet speeds.
Keep refreshing the page until the Radio 1 event is available to select. Then click through as fast as possible to choose your ticket quantities and checkout.
Use presale codes if you get them
If you gain access to any presale codes, like through a Radio 1 email club promotion, enter them as soon as the presale window opens. Presale codes are invaluable, letting you access tickets before the big rush.
Carefully enter the codes where prompted. Double check that you’re using the presale portal and not the general on-sale page. Pro tip: you can open multiple browser windows and enter the code in each, then proceed with whichever lets you in first!
Be persistent and keep trying
Don’t give up if you don’t secure tickets in the first on-sale window. There are often multiple release batches. Plus, not everyone completes their purchases, so tickets get released back into the pool.
Keep refreshing and retrying if you don’t succeed at first. Go through until the retailer’s site says the event is sold out. Persistence and patience can pay off.
Get help from friends also trying for tickets
To maximize your odds, get friends to try for tickets too at the on-sale time. Coordinate your efforts so you’re not competing for the same tickets.
If one person succeeds in getting through to the purchase page, they can fill in the other people’s info and buy tickets for the whole group. Teamwork makes the dream work!
Consider ticket resale sites
If you strike out getting face value tickets, check reputable resale sites leading up to the festival. Big Weekend passes are highly coveted, so many people resell them at a premium.
StubHub and Twickets are good options for finding last minute Big Weekend tickets. The prices will be inflated, so set a budget beforehand.
Get on the ticket upgrade list
If the event sells out instantly, don’t lose hope. Radio 1 sometimes releases extra batches of tickets leading up to the festival.
You can join a waitlist on their website to be notified if that happens. Fan-to-fan ticket exchanges also open up closer to the festival.
Look into giveaways and contests
Radio 1 often provides ticket giveaways through promotions and on-air contests in the weeks before Big Weekend. By entering competitions and following Radio 1 on social media, you may be able to win free passes.
Contests like calling in to identify songs for tickets give you another chance if you missed out originally. It never hurts to try!
Head over as a walk up
If you live nearby the festival, you can always head to the venue and take your chances as a walk up. There is sometimes a standby queue for last minute tickets released on-site.
Of course, there are no guarantees with walk up tickets. You won’t know if any are left until you get to the gate. But for festivarians willing to play it by ear, it’s an option!
Consider volunteering
Volunteering at Big Weekend is a way to experience the festival without actually having an ticket. As a volunteer steward, you’ll get free entry in exchange for working a shift.
Sign up via the festival’s website ahead of time to secure a volunteer role. It’s a chance to soak up the fun atmosphere and catch acts between shifts!
Know the ticket terms and conditions
Carefully read the ticketing fine print before purchasing tickets. The terms include important policies that prohibit reselling tickets at a profit.
Big Weekend tickets have the original buyer’s name on them and you need ID to enter. So you can’t easily give away or resell tickets if your plans change after purchasing.
Conclusion
With huge music acts and limited tickets, Radio 1’s Big Weekend is one of the hottest gigs around. Booking your place takes planning, persistence, and a bit of luck. By signing up for pre-sales, being ready to pounce at the stroke of the on-sale time, and staying vigilant, you can optimize your chances of success.
Your persistence will pay off with an epic live music experience. Once you secure those tickets, get ready for an unforgettable weekend singing and dancing alongside thousands of fellow fans.