Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Camping (11)
What do you need to take? What camp to go to? How much does it cost?
A: We all hope so - it was raised at the focus group and the issue will be given some attention
A: Thursday with ANY weekend ticket. If you get an Early Entry ticket AND a Weekend ticket, you can go Wednesday.
A: http://www.strictlyreading.co.uk/story/news/disabled-access-guide-2008 some information is there and once you apply, we believe that you will be allocated a camp right near the arena so there will be no issues surrouding what camp to go to.
A: This question has been answered several times on this site.
They should be on release along with the other tickets on the 31st March - they should have an application form to download, fill in and send off.
A: This has already been answered several times - I am amazed you haven't found the information.
31st March
A: Yes - you just need to have it below knee height and make sure it's basically doesn't burn anyone.
Basic rule - use common sense. No C4 or nuclear devices to be placed on it.
A: You "should" be able to. I say "should" in a very vague way as Festival Republic are likely to change stuff around.
It also depends on what steward you get. If everything was kept to the rules, you would not be able to get in - but I have seen it done.
A: This question has already been answered several times both here and on the official site.
http://www.strictlyreading.co.uk/faq/general/my-14-year-old-daughter-wan...
http://www.strictlyreading.co.uk/faq/tickets/what-minimum-age
16 and above you have no issue - unless it's finding out information that is staring you in the face :-)
A: Presuming you have a full weekend ticket, there are no restrictions on where you can camp in the normal fields. Campervans however will have to park up in WHITE camp. VIP have their own camp. Other than that, the rest of us humans have every other camp to mess around with. If you have 'X' car parking pass, that doesn't mean you have to camp in 'X' coloured camp. You are free to roam about all you want. No restrictions on going from camp to camp.
A: Only people with a valid weekend ticket can camp. The camping is included in with the price of the ticket.
We STRONGLY advise against trying to sneak in due to overcrowding and possible checks being made which would result in you being kicked out.
Drink and Food (4)
What can you take? How much does food cost there?
A: Depends what you want - from £0 upwards really. Just bring a debit/credit card. It's easier.
A: We are not sure. Prices will remain pretty close to last year: http://www.strictlyreading.co.uk/faq/drink-and-food/how-much-are-drinks-...
A: You sure can. You can take how much you can carry. Only restrictions are that none of those large BBQ grills are allowed but the disposable ones are. Also no glass bottles. Obviously this can be easily hidden away but them are the rules. Bear in mind you have to carry it so make sure you can deal with it.
A: Inside the fesitval they're not cheap generally and they are a standardised price across all stalls so don't be under the impression that lots of stalls means competitive prices.
If memory serves me well burgers were around £3.50, a pint of Carling was about £3.30 or so and 500ml bottles of coke, sprite, water etc. were £2.00, so if you're planning on 'dining out' in the festival bring plenty of money. You can take empty bottles up to 500ml into the arena and fill up at the taps for free and there are fresh water taps in the camp sites too.
General (12)
Where is Reading? When does it end? What's a festival?
A: Did you get an email? Did you read that email? Please tell me you did...
... tickets are sent out around 7-10 days before the festival starts. Last year, I got mine days before.
A: The very last second of Wednesday is the latest you can arrive on Wednesday.
A: Your best bet is to try the official store on the official site.
Fialing that, we would suggest eBay and just googling around. The chances that stores will have posters from any year apart from the most current one are pretty slim.
A: This question has already been answered. Please do take the time to look.
I won't answer it directly but will ask you a question instead. What's safer - a 16 year old out on the streets with people they don't know or with their friends in a like minded community enjoying themselves?
A: Yes - obviously.
Into the arena they do but not all the time into the festival campsite itself.
A: No. You can buy any amount up to 4 on any single card.
A: There isn't one!
If you are local to Berkshire then read this page which has all the info on it: http://www.strictlyreading.co.uk/node/390/
A: No unaccompanied under 16's. Any under 16's must be accompanied by a ticket holder over 18 years old. Under 13 (12 and under) are admitted free but MUST be accompanied by a ticket holding adult. Please note that there is no separate children's area at this event but there is a Family Camping area in red campsite.
A: 
A: You can - however you have to work for the right company at the right time. The company in questions is: http://www.workersbeer.co.uk/
A: Again- the appropriate answer would be how safe is it around your local area? How safe is the U.K. in general?
99% of the people at Reading Festival are out to havea good time - they are welcoming, nice, polite and there to enjoy themselves. First time festival goers may find the first night intimidating (noise) but they'll soon adapt, knowing everyone there is just up for a good time.
Anyone young MUST NOT be left alone. We can't stress this enough.
A: The appropriate answer would be how safe is it around your local area? How safe is the U.K. in general? There are drinks and drugs on every street corner!!!
The festival environment is no different. The majority of people are on one sort of drug or another (tobacco, alcohol...) We would be telling lies if we said people were not drunk. However, the majority are friendly, welcoming and nice and if you use common sense, there willbe no issues.
Your 14 year old daughter MUST stick with the 18 year old friend at all times though.
Lineup (7)
Who is playing? How many stages are there? When is the lineup announced?
A: This will be released in the weeks running up to the festival
A: ZERO
This question has been asnwered several times. Officially, there is no confirmation of bands playing.
http://www.strictlyreading.co.uk/story/reading-festival-2008-rumours has the latest rumours. Lineup announced on the 31st
A: Yes - sell loads of records :-)
Seriously though - at the moment, it only looks like Leeds has an unsigned tent. However, Reading does have the Nokia tent where your band can play a few songs. You'll have to check the official site for more details but as soon as any become available, we'll update this site sooner than you can say booya.
A: This is a Reading Festival site! Also, they both have identical lineups so any news/rumours regarding the lineup for Reading will apply to Leeds. http://www.strictlyleeds.co.uk is the Leeds version of this site.
A: We are not 100% but we presume it will be on the 24th March or the Monday before
A: We do not know for sure. There are faint rumours all over the place for every band under the sun. Once we get anything more positive, we'll add it to the site.
A: We very much doubt it.
[update] There are now rumours that they might play - and if they will ever play Reading, it will be a headlining spot. They are touring around June so this will not be out the question.[/update]
Tickets (55)
When do they come on sale? How much are they? When will they sell out?
A: I truly can not believe that this is a serious question!!!
Where you coming from?
Will there be traffic
Will the coach break down
What time are you leaving?
Lord knows what time you'll get there! There's no set time, there's no approximate time! You're best to assume as late on Thursday as possible so anything earlier would be a bonus.
A: Coaches leave on Thursday as your email and confirmation pages would have already told you. Please read what they send to you.
You need to get the tickets off the coach. It's up to the driver whether you can or not.
A: How do you think? Check official vendors!!!
A: We don't advise it - people get ripped off all the time. It's easy to get a 100% profile with 100+ positive entries.
We would advise against it but people still do.
A: Your sentance not only doesn't make any sense but is also very stupid.
There is a mention of "2nd bath". Why not make the effort to read first? Your answer might have already been answered but considering I haven't got a clue what you are asking, I'm not sure.
There is no 2nd batch of tickets this year. None. Nadda. Nowt. The festival is now 100% sold out.
A: Yes. That will be fine. You might be best off asking Festival Republic direct for more precise instructions. From our knowledge and experience, you wil be fine. Take any documentation and proof of ID you have.
A: WHAT?!?
Why on earth would you buy a car parking ticket if you do not drive? if it's for someone else, find out their registration.
A: Good for you sunshine - I am genuinely happy for you. I believe you're the only person in the world who hasn't got any.
Unfortunately, as you did not pose this in the form of a question, I can't give you the 2 free VIP tickets I have in my hand right now.
Sorry.
A: So you bought from them and then thought they were a dodgy site? I usually hang back on such questions but seriously - if you are too blind to read the OFFICIAL SITE, OFFICIAL FORUMS and the plethora of advice given here then quite frankly, you deserve to get ripped off.
Of course it's bloody dodgy. Just read the FAQ answered right before yours. Seriously - I don't think Reading Festival will be any worse off without you going.
http://www.strictlyreading.co.uk/faq/tickets/readingfestivaltickets-co-u...
A: No - I mean, seriously.... just plain no. I wonder how people live day to day.
I AM NOT SAYING THERE ARE TICKETS AVAILABLE, I AM ONLY POINTING OUT WHICH SITES ARE LEGIT AND WHICH ONES ARE CROOKED. IF IT'S NOT OFFICIAL, DON'T ASK ABOUT IT. THE ONLY UNOFFICIAL ONES WE WOULD SUGGEST ARE THE FOLLOWING SITES AS THEY ARE BASICALLY AN ETHICAL EBAY. ON THE SUBJECT OF EBAY, PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM EBAY (RHYMES...) PLEASE STAY FROM EBAY AS U WILL PAY ALL DAY UNTIL MAY.... HEY
A: As far as we have been told by FR, all tickets have been sold out. We don't know if there will be more released let alone when they will be released.
A: Officially no but every year for at least the past 5 years my friends have been able to. Many say get there early but my friends have got there at 13:00 and got tickets.
It can be considered risky so we wouldn't advise it but my mates would.
A: Of course not - they are day tickets!
Seriously, no. You have to have god a weekend ticket than included camping.
A: What "other" tickets are these? Any "other" tickets that might be sold will be sold whenever the ticket vendor wants them to be sold for. We do not have any indication when that will be but we will let you know ASAP
A: Any tickets that have been left over will be sold in this myserious 2nd batch.
A: There might not definitely be a festival. It's never ever 100% but the chances are good.
A: No - only official ticket sites from the official reading festival site are... well... official. This has been answered several times on this very site. Please take the time to read.
A: # http://www.seetickets.com/see_multi/price.asp?code=305878&userid=&pgroup...
# http://www.nme.com/gigs and click on reading/leeds tickets on sale
These are two possibilities
A: We don't know - but rest assured as soon as we hear anything, it'll be on this site. http://tinyurl.com/3887v6 still has some tickets left though - be quick!
A: All ticket vendors have their own costings. These involve P&P and booking fee.
For a weekend ticket, you'd add around £10 (MAX) on top of the face value of the ticket for such fees. For other tickets, expect to pay slightly less.
A: Normally I'd delete such a question but this one has to be singled out.
http://www.strictlyreading.co.uk/story/reading-festival-2008/reading-fes... read that
A: Yes - weekend tickets sell out within hours. Day tickets can be on sale for a few hours, a few days or even weeks.
Not this year though.
A: They will be - we have been in contact with the festival organisers and as soon as we hear anything back, we will let you know.
A: If you get a day ticket, there is no time limit as such but it would be daft just sitting around since the early morning.
We would strongly suggest getting there for 11am, this is when the main arena opens.
A: That is right - you have to leave by the end of the day
A: You will be fine - just think how many organisations go through a single IP address.
I suggest download and installing Mozilla Firefox, then install FasterFox and get there an hour early.
A: How long is a piece of string? The fact this answer is already answered several times here and on official site worries me - it worries me that you can't find the information which in turn suggests you might not be able to figure out how to get a ticket.
They sell out within the hour.
A: This has already been answered!
You need to call the official vendors on the day. Check the official vendors list for more information.
A: Yes you can.
A: Children under 13 (12 and under) are admitted free but MUST be accompanied by a ticket holding adult. Please note there is no separate children's area at this event.
No unaccompanied under 16's
A: Stay tuned to this website!
A: There is never a 100% way to check. It should have a hologram on it. There are various designs so if yours changes from another, then don't worry. Chances are that if it has a decent hologram on it and look authentic, it *might* be. Ask user for their booking information and call up the ticket supplier they bought the ticket from to at least verify the seller indeed bought some.
A: Both are as likely and unlikely as one another. The internet is likely to hold more connections but many more people will be using it. Our advice - use both.
A: Is this an authentic question??? The list of authentic and trusted suppliers are noted here: http://www.strictlyreading.co.uk/story/tickets/ticket-advice
A: With money ideally. http://www.strictlyreading.co.uk/story/tickets/ticket-advice for more information.
A: If you want. The option is there. The choice is yours. I'd advise you to do so as they both sell out quickly.
A: You need to get what is known in the trade as a "weekend ticket" - this includes camping and access to the main arena. You can't have an early entry ticket without a weekend pass. Otherwise people will just camp and steal stuff.
A: If you buy a weekend ticket, this will include camping. 3 day passes will not entitle you to camp and also you can not buy camping seperately.
A: You need to contact the vendors who you bought your ticket from. Only they can do anything about it.
A: Around 240k people were expected at Reading last year. We estimate about 100k weekend ticket holders and about 80k day ticket holders per day.
A: For what exactly???
Kids under 12 get in for free, but they have to be accompanied by an adult (over 18) at ALL times. If any child is found on their own at ANY point by staff/security they will be classed and treated as a missing person! Which could a) cause problems that cause you to miss bands or b) get their responsible adult to take them off site potentially meaning you miss the remainder of the festival.
A: Questions have already been asnwered. Please see:
* http://www.strictlyreading.co.uk/faq/tickets/how-much-will-tickets-be
* http://www.strictlyreading.co.uk/faq/tickets/where-do-i-buy-tickets
A: Online, within hours. They usually go on about 7pm of the day and are sold out within an hour or two.
A: It was 6 online. Any more than that and you will have to place to separate orders with a different credit card and billing/shipping address it has to be different because it will get ALL cancelled otherwise.
However you could also buy 4 in person. The most you could put on any one card would be 6 though.
A: Well - it really isn't difficult. Stay tuned to this site and the official site for the official date when tickets are released. We presume it will be around 24th March at about 19:00 (20:00 your time)/ These are only rough estimates though. Will update as soon as we know different.
My advice is to install a new internet browser called Mozilla Firefox: http://www.mozilla.com/firefox and then install a plugin called FasterFox: http://fasterfox.mozdev.org/ or if you are happy with using whatever internet browser you have then fine :-)
A: The lineup shall be announced on the same day tickets are released. At a guess, this will be 24th March. Rumours are everywhere. You can check out out reading festival rumours page for more gossip
A: Everyone can get in on Thursday. If you buy early entry tickets then you get in on Wednesday. Pre-sale tickets were the ones bought in September/October last year.
* Weekend ticket = Get in on Thursday
* Pre-sale weekend ticket = Get in on Thursday
* Weekend ticket + early entry ticket = Get in on Wednesday
* Pre-sale Weekend ticket + early entry ticket = Get in on Wednesday
A: These tickets are released shortly after the current festival for the following year at the current years prices. You are guaranteed the tickets and at a cheaper price. In 2007, these tickets were released in September. They stopped around October. It is there for peple not wanting to rush in the March ticket release.
A: All the information can be found on our early entry advice page
A: In short, you can. We STRONGLY advise to call up your local store to find out yourself. Get there early!!!
A: Weekend Ticket with Camping £155
Early Entry £10
Day Ticket £65
Locker £15
Campervan £10
A: We STRONGLY suggest only buying tickets from official vendors. A list of dodgy sites AND official sites can be found at our reading festival advice page
A: You will be able to buy weekend, early entry, day, parking and campervan tickets on this day. You can pay with credit/debit cards and cheques.
A: There is no official date as yet. Last year it was 19th March. Therefore at a best guess, tickets this year will be released on the 24th March. This is just a guess. The sale will include ALL TICKETS. Weekend, Day, Parking, Early Entry, Camper Van... all tickets.