UK Government Mandates Arena Ticket Sales to Include Contributions for Grassroots Music

The Government has issued a decisive response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee’s May 2024 report on the grassroots music venue crisis. The report, backed by a cross-party group of MPs, outlined steps needed to safeguard live music in our communities.

The Government’s stance is clear: from today, every arena and stadium ticket sold must include a financial contribution to support grassroots venues, artists, and promoters. This marks the most significant shift in over fifty years for the UK’s live music industry, fundamentally altering how emerging talent and the spaces that host them are funded. Culture Minister Chris Bryant emphasised the Government’s commitment, framing this policy as a major win for grassroots music advocates.

The focus now shifts to the music industry, which must urgently implement the grassroots ticketing contribution or face a statutory levy. The Music Venue Trust (MVT) is central to these discussions, meeting with industry leaders daily to ensure rapid progress.

Beyond ticket contributions, other key recommendations from the CMS report are advancing. Changes to Business Rates are in the works, ongoing discussions aim to bolster venue protections, and efforts continue to reduce the UK’s disproportionately high VAT rates on tickets.