Festivals attract older guests, while clubs still maintain younger audiences – analysis

Data analysis from Dutch ticketing system Eventix has found that the age of festival audiences in the Netherlands and Belgium is changing – with the average climbing from 26 to 31. 

Eventix analysed 4,000 events between 2020 and 2024 and also found that the proportion of attendees over 35 at festivals has more than doubled since the pre-pandemic era.

Additionally, the number of attendees under the age of 26 attending festivals in the Netherlands and Belgium has dropped. By contrast, club nights and clubs still attract younger audiences according to Eventix, with a stable audience of 18 to 26-year-olds.

Eventix said the age shift could be attributed to rising costs which have increased post-pandemic, which has not just affected music fans’ pockets. Inflation and high operational costs have led to pricier tickets and amenities, making festivals less accessible for younger, price-sensitive attendees.

Additionally, older attendees appear to be more willing to absorb these higher costs, while clubs have managed to keep prices stable to appeal to younger audiences.

Rick Batenburg, country manager for Eventix UK, said that it is possible for similar trends to arise in the UK.

“While we excluded UK events from the analysis as we have only been in the market for a year, discussions with event and venue organisers across the country suggest that similar trends are likely occurring here,” Batenburg said.