Boomtown Fair

What Boomtown Fair does

Boomtown Fair, operated by Boomtown Festival UK Limited (Company Number 07871423), is a private UK company that produces an annual five-day immersive music and arts festival at Matterley Estate in Hampshire's South Downs National Park. Founded in 2009 and resumed in 2022 after a pandemic hiatus, the event runs annually in mid-August with 12 main stages, over 50 hidden venues, and themed districts spanning music, theatre, art, and interactive experiences. The company operates with an 11-50 employee footprint and serves a base of tens of thousands of individual festival-goers per edition, with 850,000+ collective social followers and 180,000+ mobile app users across iOS and Android.

Core product technology centres on a closed-loop RFID wristband payment system (Weezevent) for all on-site food, beverage, merchandise, and charity transactions, an iOS/Android mobile app providing maps, real-time information and community features, and an EcoBond scheme that monetises waste recycling (£20 refundable per returned bag). Supporting platforms include a Kaboodle-managed ticketing, payment-plan and resale infrastructure, Shopify-powered merchandise, and The Observatory academic research hub partnering with UK universities via Dr. Martha Newson to study collective behaviour. Britvic-style brand partnerships (Budweiser, Red Bull) sit alongside integrated travel services (National Express coaches from 50+ UK locations, LiftShare carpooling) and accessibility infrastructure (The Meadow campsite, Essential Companion tickets, Mobiloo changing places).

Revenue is generated through a multi-stream direct-to-consumer model: ticket sales at £360-£430 across entry tiers, premium accommodation tiering (Camp Skylark glamping, Camp Orchid, Tangerine Fields, Camplight), car parking and shuttle services, on-site cashless spending transaction share, merchandise via Shopify, and brand sponsorship income. The 2026 edition (Chapter Five: Radical Redesign, 12-16 August) has sold out, with residual demand routed exclusively through the Citizen-to-Citizen resale channel. Distribution is single-venue at Matterley Estate, with a year-round owned digital ecosystem (app, web, newsletter, social, Linktree) supporting merchandise drops, brand partnership content, and community-led programmes including the Vibe Check pledge, Agents of Change sustainability volunteers, and The Network/Town Hall governance discussions.

Name

Boomtown Fair

Legal name

Boomtown Festival UK Limited

Website

https://boomtownfair.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Boomtown Fair is a private UK music and arts festival operator running an annual five-day immersive event at Hampshire's Matterley Estate, serving festival-goers through ticketing, premium camping, cashless RFID payments, merchandise, and brand sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Festival / Live Entertainment Events

NAICS

All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (713990), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711), Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries (713), Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Community & Multi-Category Fairs (MPAGAFAO)

Keywords

• Music festival events
• Live music venues
• Festival ticketing services
• Camping accommodation
• Immersive entertainment

Headquarters

HQ city

Bristol

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Festival Tickets: Primary revenue from ticket sales via Kaboodle platform. Tickets sold include various entry types (Wednesday/Thursday), public transport packages, with prices ranging from £360-£430 for citizen-to-citizen resale. Includes EcoBond (£20) in ticket price.
2. Camping Accommodation Upgrades: Premium accommodation options including Camp Skylark (Hilltop and Sunset), Camp Orchid (Downtown and Campervan), Tangerine Fields (pre-pitched tents), and Camplight. Sold separately from festival entry tickets.
3. Car Parking and Transportation: Revenue from car parking passes (£50-£65), coach/shuttle services (£23-£25), and private hire coach drop-off bookings (£90). Phase-based pricing with early bird discounts.
4. On-site Cashless Spending: Revenue generated through the cashless payment system as attendees spend on food, beverages, merchandise, and services using RFID wristbands across all vendor points.
5. Merchandise Sales: Festival merchandise including clothing and accessories sold through online store (Shopify) and on-site stalls. Early access offered to newsletter subscribers.
6. Brand Partnerships and Sponsorship: On-site and online partnership opportunities with brands including Budweiser, Red Bull, and others. Includes venue naming, music programming, pouring rights, immersive experiences, app integration, and social media content packages.
7. Added Extras and Facilities: Revenue from locker rentals, phone charging (Charge Candy), and other comfort facilities on site.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Boomtown Fair is an annual five-day immersive music and arts festival held at Matterley Estate in Hampshire's South Downs National Park, UK. The core offering is the festival entry ticket providing access to 12 main stages, 50+ hidden venues, themed districts, and thousands of performers, with add-on camping, glamping, transport, and on-site services including a cashless RFID wristband payment system.

Product overview

Boomtown Fair is a multi-day immersive music festival held annually at Matterley Estate in Hampshire's South Downs National Park. The offering comprises a core festival entry product with themed districts, 12 main stages, and over 50 hidden venues, combined with diverse camping options ranging from general camping to premium glamping (Camp Skylark, Camp Orchid) and accessible facilities (The Meadow). A proprietary cash-free RFID wristband payment system powers all on-site transactions. Supporting products include locker rental, phone charging, merchandise, and environmental initiatives like the Eco Bond scheme. The festival also offers academic programming through The Observatory research hub and wellbeing services via The Retreat. All ticketing and accommodation bookings are managed through the Kaboodle platform, with merchandise sold via Shopify.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Observatory: Academic research hub led by Dr. Martha Newson hosting workshops, talk panels, and live scientific studies exploring human experience, neuroscience, psychology, performance, identity, and collective behaviour.
• The Retreat
• Camp Skylark
• Camp Orchid
• The Meadow Accessible Campsite
• Tangerine Fields
• Camplight
• Agents of Change
• Vibe Check

Products and services

• Festival Entry Tickets Weekend music festival access to Boomtown's immersive themed city at Matterley Estate, South Downs National Park, with themed districts, 12 main stages, over 50 hidden venues, and thousands of performers. Sold via Kaboodle ticketing platform.
• General Camping Standard tent camping included with all festival tickets, available across multiple themed campsite areas including East camping with a quiet camping zone.
• Tangerine Fields Pre-Pitched Camping Pre-pitched tent accommodation options sleeping 1-8 people, with some packages including additional camping gear, booked through Kaboodle platform.
• Camplight Pre-Pitched Camping Pre-pitched tent accommodation options booked through Kaboodle platform, offering lightweight camping for travelers wanting to avoid carrying equipment.
• Camp Skylark Premium Glamping Premium glamping accommodation in two locations (Hilltop and Sunset) featuring cocktail bars, yoga sessions, pamper rooms, hot showers, and flushing toilets. Named after the South Downs skylark bird.
• Camp Orchid Upscale Camping Upscale camping experience with hot showers, flushing loos, food traders, fire pits, and access to exclusive secret bars including The Hideout.
• The Meadow Accessible Campsite Staffed accessible campsite with wide access showers, accessible toilets, Mobiloo changing places facility, wheelchair charging, and dedicated accessibility shuttle service.
• Essential Companion Tickets Complimentary tickets for deaf, disabled, or neurodivergent festival-goers who require support to attend, awarded based on documented accessibility needs.
• Boomtown Locker Service Secure locker rental at multiple festival locations including Hidden Woods, East Camp, Lions Den, Camp Skylark, Camp Orchid, and Downtown Camping. Available in small and large sizes, some with charging facilities.
• EcoBond Recycling Scheme Environmental initiative adding £20 to wristbands, refundable upon returning a full bag of recycling and general waste to EcoBond Hubs.
• Boomtown Merchandise Store Official online merchandise store featuring 'Radical Redesign' branded clothing and accessories, available for home delivery or on-site collection, powered by Shopify.
• Phone Charging (Charge Candy) Phone charging stations at six locations across the festival site including Hidden Woods, Thrutopia, Mini Plaza, 5 Ways Jct, Valley Camping, and Downtown Village.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,000+ Vibe Check pledge participants committed to safer festival practices
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• KaboodlecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial ticketing partner managing ticket sales, payment plans, name changes, Citizen-to-Citizen resale platform, and customer account management. Processes all booking transactions including car parking, shuttle services, and accommodation upgrades.
• National ExpresscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial coach service partner operating direct routes to the festival gates from over 50 locations across the UK. Coaches arrive Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday and depart Sunday or Monday.
• WeezeventcoreTechnology or IntegrationCashless payment technology provider powering the RFID wristband payment system. Works within a closed loop system eliminating need for WiFi and banks.
• BudweisermajorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand sponsor with logo featured on partnerships page. On-site experiential marketing presence including venue sponsorship and pouring rights.
• Red BullmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand sponsor with logo featured on partnerships page. Music programming and experiential marketing partnership.
• Charge CandyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPhone charging service provider with stations located across the festival site. Operates charging facilities for attendee devices.
• CSMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner with logo featured on partnerships page.
• Tangerine FieldsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPre-pitched camping accommodation partner providing tent rentals for festival attendees. Integrated with Kaboodle booking system.
• CamplightminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPre-pitched camping accommodation partner providing tent options. Integrated with Kaboodle booking system.
• Dr. Martha Newson (University of Greenwich / University of Oxford)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead researcher for The Observatory academic research hub. Brings together researchers from multiple universities to conduct social studies at the festival on wellbeing, identity, and collective behaviour.
• The LoopcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrug education and harm reduction service. Operates education tent in Pepperpot Market providing information and guidance on drugs for free. 'Crazy Chemists' programme offers hands-on drug safety education.
• TLC WelfarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWelfare team providing support services for attendees who feel overwhelmed. Based next to medical centre in Pepperpot Market and in Thrutopia. Also manages lost property.
• Safer SpacescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSexual harassment, assault and domestic violence support service. Operates chill out and glam tent in Pepperpot Market, roams around the city. Supports with harassment, sexual health, consent, and assault reports.
• Event WellminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSensory and wellbeing space provider in Pepperpot Market. Offers calm, low-stimulation environment away from busy festival setting for attendees needing quiet moments.
• Bristol Drugs ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrugs and alcohol advice and support service. Based at campsite hubs and roams around campsites focusing on reducing risk to festival-goers.
• The SamaritansminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health support charity providing talking services at festival welfare stalls across Thrutopia and The Retreat.
• Blink Mental HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health support service providing talking services at festival welfare stalls.
• LiftShareminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarpooling platform linking drivers with passengers to reduce congestion and environmental impact. Connects people looking for rides with drivers offering lifts.
• CitizenCardminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorID card provider offering accepted identification for festival entry. Citizens can use CitizenCard instead of passport or driving licence to prove age. Code BOOMTOWN provides £8 discount.
• University researchers (The Observatory)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple university partnerships including University of Greenwich, University of Oxford, King's College London, University of Kent, UCL, University of Liverpool, University of Bath, University of Southampton, and others conducting research through The Observatory hub.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Latitude Festival: Multi-day UK summer festival featuring music alongside comedy, theatre, poetry, film, and family programming. Directly comparable to Boomtown's mixed-genre, immersive-emphasis proposition and similar in target demographic and ticket price point.
• Creamfields: UK's flagship electronic/dance music festival held over a multi-day August bank holiday weekend. Boomtown has won BBC Radio 1 Best Dance Festival partly against this competitor, indicating direct head-to-head competition for the same audience and sponsorship dollars.
• Tomorrowland: Belgian electronic/dance music mega-festival with strong immersive theatrical staging, themed brand world, and global travel audience. Closest international analogue to Boomtown in combining dance music programming with cinematic environment design and international ticketed audience.
• Wilderness Festival: Boutique UK music and arts festival in Oxfordshire combining music, food, theatre, wellness, and immersive programming. Conceptually the closest peer to Boomtown given the shared emphasis on theatrical staging, arts programming, and lifestyle/camping experience beyond pure line-up value.
• Isle of Wight Festival: Long-running UK large-scale music festival held annually on the Isle of Wight. Comparable in capacity tier, multi-day format, broad-genre line-up, and reliance on a single fixed venue site, making operational risks broadly similar to Boomtown's.
• Parklife Festival: Large UK urban music festival held in Manchester, headlined across dance, pop, and hip-hop genres. Competes with Boomtown for the same young, festival-going UK consumer wallet share and sponsorship categories such as alcohol and energy drinks.
• Reading & Leeds Festival: Large-scale UK bank-holiday weekend music festival operated by Live Nation across twin sites. Comparable in attendance scale, ticketing structure, and revenue diversification, though oriented toward rock/indie line-ups versus Boomtown's electronic-leaning immersive product.
• Glastonbury Festival: Iconic UK multi-stage, multi-day music festival held annually at a fixed countryside site (Worthy Farm). Directly comparable to Boomtown in operational scale, campsite-based offering, and broad entertainment mix spanning music, theatre, and arts.

Broad incumbents

• Coachella: US-based flagship destination festival owned and operated by AEG/Goldenvoice. Acts as a broader benchmark for premium-positioned large-format festivals rather than a direct geographic competitor; signals the scale ceiling attainable by mature experiential festival brands.

Regional players

• Secret Solstice: Mid-sized boutique music festival held in Iceland offering unique experiential positioning (e.g., lava tunnel events, midnight sun). Comparable as a differentiated, experience-led electronic-leaning festival, though operating in a different geographic market from Boomtown.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BoomTownFair
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/BoomtownFairOfficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/boomtownfairofficial
• TikToktiktok.com/@boomtownfair
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/boomtownfair

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Boomtown Fair