A new study of 177 UK arts organisations has revealed encouraging signs of recovery for the sector, but warns that headline figures could be masking deeper financial fragility.
The 2025 benchmarking report titled ‘Raising the Curtain on Recovery’ from international arts consultancy TRG Arts, in partnership with Data Culture Change, found that while ticket sales and capacity have surpassed pre-pandemic levels, inflation adjusted income and average ticket prices have declined.
Based on data from the Arts & Culture Benchmark, the report spans performance metrics from 2018 to 2024.
Audience demand may be returning, but recovery remains uneven according to the report. Larger venues are driving growth in ticket sales and occupancy, but inflation-adjusted revenue growth remains “fragile”.
The UK has surpassed pre-pandemic performance numbers, reaching 106% of 2018-2019 averages, but has reduced slightly when compared to 2023.
Ticket sales are up by 4% compared to pre-pandemic averages, driven mostly by larger theatres in major cities, and venues are now fuller than before COVID-19 on average.
However, despite full houses, inflation-adjusted box office revenue fell 1% compared to 2018-19. Additionally, once adjusted for inflation, the UK saw a 3% decline in the average price paid per ticket; this has been in steady decline since 2021.
“The findings in this report underscore both the progress and the persistent challenges in the UK performing arts sector,” said Jill S. Robinson, chief executive of TRG Arts.
“The data makes it clear that recovery is not a uniform process, and there is no single solution. Organisations that are successfully rebounding are those actively adapting their pricing models, focusing on customer retention, and making strategic use of data to guide decision-making. A return to pre-pandemic success isn’t just about selling tickets; it’s about building long-term relationships with customers.”