Reading Time: 2 minutes

Since launching our Pay It Forwards: Share The Love initiative back in 2022, Shambala’s amazing attendees, crew and artists have raised over £54,000, to open up the festival to those on low incomes who could not attend otherwise.

Why? Because festivals aren’t cheap – especially weekend camping ones. They certainly aren’t cheap to produce and they aren’t cheap to attend. It’s not as simple as offering cut price tickets for folks on low incomes, because saving for a festival ticket will never be a priority when you can’t pay your rent or put food on the table at home. And it’s not just the tickets – there’s the travel, camping equipment, food and drink, it all adds up.

100% of funds raised go towards creating ‘full festival experiences’ – including entry tickets, transport, camping equipment for the weekend, and food.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are open to people experiencing financial hardship or social disadvantage. Eligible groups include:

  • Individuals and families on means-tested benefits 
  • Refugees and asylum seekers 
  • People experiencing homelessness or temporary housing 
  • Carers and people with disabilities 
  • Mental health service users 
  • Disadvantaged children, young people, and families 
  • Long-term unemployed individuals 
  • Older people in financial hardship 
  • Applications will be hosted on Tickets For Good’s ‘Ticket Bank’ platform from March 26th 2026 until they close, on May 28th 2026. You’ll need to register with Tickets For Good first, and you’ll then be able to log in and apply via their Ticket Bank HERE.
  • Whilst the scheme will be open nationally, we have ringfenced 50% of festival access packages for people local to the festival – specifically applicants with either a Leicester or Northants postcode (LE & NN).
  • Eligibility is verified through Tickets For Good’s bridge organisations for certain groups, or via benefit documentation at self-enrolment for those in receipt of cost of living payments. All eligibility checks are highly confidential and managed by Tickets For Good, rather than Shambala Festival.
  • Once Tickets For Good’s automated checker has verified these documents, applicants can enter the ballot, which will select applicants at random, to be gifted these full festival access experiences.
  • Successful applicants will be informed if they have been selected in early June.
  • If successful, applicants will be required to pay a £5.95 processing fee which goes to cover Tickets For Good’s costs.
  • Every successful applicant will receive up to 2 adult tickets, so they don’t have to attend alone if they don’t wish to. Families are also welcome to apply – the ballot system will ask applicants if they have children or dependents who they would like to bring along, too.
  • In addition to the entry tickets, Shambala will also cover the costs of either car parking, shuttle bus link ups from Market Harborough or Long Buckby train stations, or coach travel from any of our Shambala Express departure points, food whilst at the festival, and a pre-pitched tent with sleeping bags and basic camping equipment. 

HOW TO DONATE TO THE SCHEME

If you’re looking to donate to the scheme, rather than apply to be a recipient, thank you, you legend. Head here to find out more and donate.