- News
Royal Albert Hall Leads the Way on LIVE Trust Ticket Levy
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By Dale Grogan
- 21 Jul 2025
- 4 min read
The Royal Albert Hall has made history as the first arena to permanently implement the LIVE Trust’s voluntary £1-per-ticket levy on all commercial rock and pop concerts, starting from the 1st of October 2025.
This strategic contribution is expected to raise approximately £300,000 annually, directly funding grassroots music venues, promoters, festivals, and emerging artists across the UK.
Closing the Grassroots Funding Gap
The £1 levy is part of a broader industry-led initiative introduced earlier this year by LIVE – Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment. Supported by the Music Venue Trust, the levy targets live events hosted in arenas and stadiums with a capacity exceeding 5,000 attendees. In 2025, only 7.8% (1.8 million) of ticket sales included the levy, revealing significant growth potential.
This move comes amid alarming closures and cancellations over the past few years: in 2023, the UK lost 125 grassroots music venues, followed by 78 festival cancellations in 2024, with live tour dates halving over the past three decades.
Strategic Impact and Industry Momentum
James Ainscough OBE, CEO of Royal Albert Hall and founding trustee of LIVE Trust, emphasised the vital role grassroots venues play in artist development:
“Headlining the Royal Albert Hall is a career pinnacle… but our venue is reliant on a vibrant music ecosystem across the UK. By embracing the £1 contribution and becoming the first arena where it is ‘always on’, we are adding this charity’s name to the growing momentum.” 
Creative Industries Minister Sir Chris Bryant also praised the initiative, stating that grassroots venues are “the backbone of our world‑leading music industry”. Other industry voices, including Dame Caroline Dinenage MP and Jon Collins of LIVE Trust, have signalled strong support and urged further adoption.
A Model for Voluntary Industry Investment
While countries like France utilise statutory levies, the UK model encourages voluntary contributions, allowing grassroots venues across all regions to benefit from UK‑wide ticket sales. The LIVE Trust will channel funds through established bodies such as Music Venue Trust and others, ensuring robust grant distribution for infrastructure upgrades, touring support, and operational resilience.
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