From £1 to £340: Chart shows how Glastonbury ticket prices have soared since '70s

Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will cost £340 when they go on sale in early November, amounting to a rise of £70 on the previous event.

The last time tickets went on sale was in 2019, costing £265 plus a £5 booking fee for what should have been the 2020 festival, but it was subsequently cancelled for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In comparison to the latest 26% hike, it was a modest increase on 2019's festival, for which tickets were sold at £253 including booking.

Glastonbury has a reputation for being one of Europe's most pricey festivals, but it wasn't always so expensive, as Yahoo News UK's chart shows.

When the very first Glasto was held in 1970, tickets cost just £1, and even included free milk from Worthy Farm.

The 1971 festival, the first to include the iconic Pyramid Stage, was free to enter, as it was supported by a handful of people who felt the festival scene at the time had become too commercialised.

Over the decades crowd numbers grew and prices went up, with tickets now up 33,900% compared to the very first festival.

If tickets stayed in line with inflation from 1970, tickets should now cost about £12.23, according to the Bank of England's inflation calculator.

The festival has changed a great deal since 1970, attracting hundreds of the world's greatest artists, with a crowd size of 210,000 compared to the original 1,500, meaning operating costs have inevitably risen.

Still, many Glastonbury fans have said they are still disappointed that prices have gone up so much for next year, with some saying it is now unaffordable for them.

Others on social media thought it was still worth it, with one person writing: “£175 when I first went in 2009. Increased every year since, but still worth every penny.”

Tickets for the 2023 festival will cost £335 plus a £5 booking fee for standard tickets, with £50 as a deposit and the balance due by the first week of April.

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Organiser Emily Eavis has said “incredibly challenging times” are behind the price hike.

She tweeted: “We have tried very hard to minimise the increase in price on the ticket but we’re facing enormous rises in the costs of running this vast show, whilst still recovering from the huge financial impact of two years without a festival because of COVID.

“The £50 deposit on ticket sales day in November will be the same as ever, with the balance not due until April.

“And, as always, there will be opportunities for many thousands of people to come as volunteers or as part of the crew.

“In these incredibly challenging times, we want to continue to bring you the best show in the world and provide our charities with funds which are more vital than ever. We are, as always, hugely appreciative of your ongoing support.”

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The price rise comes as many businesses and individuals struggle during the cost of living crisis as energy costs soar and inflation remains high.

Fans will be able to purchase coach and ticket packages for the 2023 festival from 6pm on November 3 and standard tickets from 9am on November 6.

An additional fee will be charged for the coach transfer if this package is selected. The music event will return to Worthy Farm in Somerset from June 21 to 25, it was previously announced.

Fans must register before purchasing in a bid by organisers to stop ticket touts. The line-up has yet to be revealed but Roxy Music have been rumoured to be filling the Sunday teatime legends slot.