Theatregoing reached record attendance levels – but industry warns of troubling circumstances

More people are attending theatre in the UK than at any point on record, according to a new report published by the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre.

The report, titled Theatre in the UK 2026, shows that more than 37 million visits were made to theatres across the country in 2025, with the West End accounting for 17.64 million attendances, almost three million more than Broadway.

The report finds that theatre attendance reflects the full occupational range of the UK population and that demand for live performance remains high across commercial and subsidised venues.

Despite this level of demand, the report concludes that the financial position of many theatres is under increasing pressure.

Production costs have continued to rise over the past decade, driven by higher staffing, materials, energy and building maintenance costs. At the same time, ticket prices have largely been held steady in real terms in order to maintain access. The median UK ticket price in 2025 was £41, with most West End tickets sold for £56 or less. All responding organisations reported operating free or subsidised ticket schemes.

As a result, many theatres are operating with limited financial flexibility. The report states that 36 per cent of theatres expect to run an operating deficit this year, rising to 51 per cent among subsidised organisations. Only 36 per cent of respondents anticipate an increase in turnover, down from 60 per cent the previous year, while 91 per cent expect overall costs to rise.

Alongside performance, theatres continue to deliver education, training and community programmes, and act as employers and cultural hubs in towns and cities across the UK. The report highlights the role theatres play in developing creative talent, supporting local economies and contributing to activity on high streets. It also notes that for every £1 spent on a theatre ticket, an additional £1.40 is generated in surrounding businesses.

The report calls for a series of targeted policy measures to address the financial pressures facing the sector. These include reform to business rates, further support for touring through Theatre Tax Relief, stronger incentives for philanthropy and public funding settlements that keep pace with inflation. It argues that such measures would support long-term sustainability rather than act as subsidy.

Claire Walker and Hannah Essex, co-chief executives of the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre, said: “Theatres across the UK are entertaining millions of people and producing work that inspires audiences around the world. Every day our members are also running education programmes, supporting young people, and bringing communities together through live performance.

“The public appetite for theatre is clear. But the organisations that make it possible are facing rising costs on almost every front. The challenge now is ensuring this success is sustainable, so theatres across the country can continue creating new work, supporting jobs, and reaching audiences everywhere.”