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Reading Festival 2025 Lineup: Full Schedule, Tickets & Times

Freddie Arthur Davies Sutton • 2026-04-22 • Reviewed by Ethan Collins

The UK festival scene isn’t short on spectacle, but Reading Festival has long held its own against the biggest stages in Europe. This year’s edition landed Travis Scott for his only European stop in 2025, alongside a historic first headlining slot for Chappell Roan — the kind of booking that gets talked about long after the tents come down. If you’re trying to sort the confirmed times from the speculation, here’s the full picture for Reading Festival 2025.

Dates: Aug 21-24, 2025 · Location: Richfield Avenue, Reading · Headliners: Travis Scott, D-Block Europe

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact ticket prices post-event
  • Full breakdown of 2026 headliners
  • Specific standing policies by age
3Timeline signal
  • Lineup announced: Dec 2024
  • Set times released: July 2025
  • Festival ran: Aug 21-24, 2025
4What’s next
  • 2026 edition Aug 27-30
  • Over 60 new acts announced
  • Return to Richfield Avenue

The following table consolidates key event details sourced from official and verified tier-2 publications.

Event Dates August 21-24, 2025
Venue Richfield Avenue, Reading
2026 Dates August 27-30, 2026
Official Site readingfestival.com
Lineup Source JamBase, Clashfinder

Who is playing in Reading Festival 2025?

Reading Festival 2025 landed four major headliners for its August 21-24 run at Richfield Avenue, Little John’s Farm. Travis Scott closed the Main Stage on Sunday at 9:50 PM — his only European appearance that year (The SpaceLab). Chappell Roan made history with her first-ever headlining slot at Reading & Leeds on Friday at 7:10 PM (Ticket News). Friday also brought Hozier at 9:40 PM, with Bring Me The Horizon taking Saturday’s headline spot at 9:50 PM (Radio Times).

Confirmed headliners

  • Travis Scott — Sunday Main Stage, 9:50 PM (only European stop 2025)
  • Chappell Roan — Friday Main Stage, 7:10 PM (historic first headline)
  • Hozier — Friday Main Stage, 9:40 PM (only UK festival set 2025)
  • Bring Me The Horizon — Saturday Main Stage, 9:50 PM (only UK festival set 2025)
Why this matters

Chappell Roan’s headline slot marked a turning point for the festival — booking an artist on the cusp of mainstream breakthrough signals Reading’s willingness to book breakthrough talent ahead of the curve.

Full artist list

Beyond the headliners, the bill stacked deep across multiple stages. Friday’s Main Stage featured Bloc Party at 2:45 PM, Wallows at 4:10 PM, and The Kooks at 5:20 PM. The Chevron Stage carried Rudimental at 6:10 PM and Soft Play at 4:55 PM (Radio Times). Saturday brought Enter Shikari at 6:30 PM and Limp Bizkit at 7:55 PM on the Main Stage, with Becky Hill on the Chevron Stage at 8:50 PM. Sunday closed with Amyl & The Sniffers at 5:30 PM and Trippie Redd at 6:45 PM ahead of Travis Scott.

Stage breakdowns

Reading Festival maintains its own distinct character through stages not found at sister event Leeds. The Smirnoff Stage sits exclusively at Reading — a draw for fans who want the fuller festival experience (Radio Times). The Main Stage hosts all four headliners across Friday through Sunday. Other key stages include the Chevron Stage and Festival Republic Stage, which on Saturday featured Snow Strippers at 9:10 PM.

The catch

Thursday August 21 opened with DJ sets including Pendulum from 00:30 to 02:00, though Thursday programming remains less documented than the main weekend bill.

Bottom line: The implication: Thursday’s limited coverage means fans relying on secondary sources may miss early-arrival opportunities.

What are the Reading Festival 2025 lineup times?

Official set times dropped in July 2025, giving attendees a solid month to plan their weekends (Rock Sins). The Main Stage anchored each day’s schedule, with performances typically running from mid-afternoon through the headline slots after 9 PM. Set times were subject to change, and the festival advised checking social media for real-time updates.

Friday schedule

  • Main Stage opens: afternoon slots from 2:45 PM (Bloc Party)
  • Evening build: Wallows 4:10 PM → The Kooks 5:20 PM → Chappell Roan 7:10 PM → Hozier 9:40 PM
  • Chevron Stage: Soft Play 4:55 PM → Rudimental 6:10 PM

Saturday schedule

  • Main Stage: Enter Shikari 6:30 PM → Limp Bizkit 7:55 PM → Bring Me The Horizon 9:50 PM
  • Chevron Stage: Becky Hill 8:50 PM
  • Festival Republic Stage: Snow Strippers 9:10 PM

Sunday schedule

  • Main Stage: Amyl & The Sniffers 5:30 PM → Trippie Redd 6:45 PM → Travis Scott 9:50 PM

What this means: Sunday’s early-evening slots serve as warm-up acts for the festival’s biggest draw, meaning fans prioritizing Travis Scott needed to arrive well before 9:50 PM to secure positioning.

Bottom line: Reading Festival 2025 delivered its strongest lineup in years. Travis Scott drew the biggest crowd with his exclusive European booking, while Chappell Roan’s historic headline slot cemented her ascent. Festival veterans got their rock fix from Hozier and Bring Me The Horizon, and the expanded 2026 announcement with over 60 new acts suggests the event isn’t slowing down.

How much are Reading 2025 tickets?

Tickets were available through the official website with flexible payment options. Fans could secure their spot with a £20 deposit and spread remaining costs through monthly instalments via Ticketmaster (Official Reading Festival). VIP tiers offered upgraded amenities for those wanting a more comfortable experience.

Ticket prices

Exact ticket prices for 2025 weren’t consistently documented across sources, with varying tiers and early-bird vs. standard rates. The payment plan option made attendance accessible without requiring full upfront payment, though specific pricing tiers weren’t verified at time of publication.

Where to buy

The official channel was readingfestival.com, with Ticketmaster handling the transaction infrastructure. Secondary market prices varied significantly based on artist demand — Travis Scott’s exclusive European date predictably drove premium pricing on resale platforms.

Availability

With the festival now complete, 2025 tickets are no longer available through primary channels. Those interested in attending future editions should monitor readingfestival.com for 2026 announcements, expected in late 2025 or early 2026.

The pattern: Secondary market premiums for exclusive performances like Travis Scott’s can reach 3-5× face value, making early-bird purchases the most cost-effective strategy.

What to watch

Resale prices for Travis Scott performances can reach 3-5× face value. If you’re set on the 2026 edition, early-bird tiers typically offer the best value before demand drives up standard pricing.

Should I let my 17 year old go to the Reading Festival?

This question comes up frequently for Reading Festival, and the answer depends on several factors. The festival attracts a wide age range, with families, teens, and older attendees mixing throughout the site. Understanding the specific policies and what the environment actually looks like helps families make informed decisions.

Age restrictions

Reading Festival operates with standard UK festival age policies. Under-18 attendees face specific restrictions on certain areas and activities. The festival website publishes detailed guidance on age-related rules, which families should review directly before purchase.

Safety measures

The festival has developed comprehensive safety infrastructure over its decades of operation. Security presence, medical facilities, and clear site layout all contribute to the experience. Families considering attendance should review the official safety information published on readingfestival.com.

Pros and cons

Upsides

  • Family-friendly camping areas available
  • Multiple stages mean varied music options
  • Established event with decades of operational experience
  • Clear site layout and signage

Downsides

  • Late-night stages can draw intense crowds
  • Some areas restricted for under-18s
  • Weather exposure during extended outdoor time
  • Substantial walking distance between stages

What this means for families: The festival offers structured environments for younger attendees, but parents should weigh late-night crowd density against their teenager’s maturity and comfort with large gatherings.

Who is rumoured to be at Reading Festival 2026?

Reading Festival 2026 is confirmed for August 27-30, with official confirmation of over 60 new acts joining the bill (Official Reading Festival). While specific headliner names for 2026 haven’t been publicly confirmed at time of publication, the scale of additions signals a significant programming refresh.

Headliners for 2026

No official 2026 headliner announcements had been made as of the 2025 festival dates. Past pattern suggests Reading typically reveals headliners in late autumn for the following year’s event. Early speculation tends to circulate in fan communities, though verified announcements should come directly from readingfestival.com.

New acts announced

The official statement confirmed over 60 new names joining the lineup. Full roster details are typically released in stages — major headliners first, followed by supporting acts across all stages. Those interested should bookmark readingfestival.com for direct updates.

Over 60 additions

The scale of additions signals ambition for the 2026 edition. Reading Festival’s booking strategy has evolved in recent years, increasingly balancing heritage acts with breakthrough artists — a formula that brought both Travis Scott’s exclusivity and Chappell Roan’s historic headline slot in 2025.

The implication: Early commitment to the 2026 event rewards fans with lower prices before headliner announcements drive demand.

Reading Festival 2025 Timeline

  • August 2025: Lineup and headliners announced (Ticket News)
  • July 2025: Official set times released (Rock Sins)
  • August 21, 2025: Festival opens with Thursday DJ sets
  • August 22, 2025: Friday performances — Chappell Roan and Hozier headline
  • August 23, 2025: Saturday — Bring Me The Horizon headlines
  • August 24, 2025: Sunday — Travis Scott closes the festival
  • Post-2025: 2026 dates confirmed as August 27-30

Confirmed vs. Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • 2025 dates: August 21-24
  • Four headliners confirmed with exact times
  • Location: Richfield Avenue, Little John’s Farm
  • Travis Scott’s only European stop 2025
  • Chappell Roan’s first-ever headline slot
  • 2026 dates: August 27-30
  • Over 60 new acts for 2026

What’s unclear

  • Exact 2025 ticket price tiers
  • Full 2026 headliner names
  • Specific standing/pit policy details
  • Post-event attendance figures

What They’re Saying

“Chappell Roan is slated to make history as she takes her first-ever headlining slot at Reading & Leeds.”

— Ticket News (Music Industry Publication)

“This year’s line-up is absolutely stacked. Featuring headline performances from Travis Scott, Chappell Roan and Bring Me The Horizon.”

Rock Sins (Festival Coverage Outlet)

“It could be your only opportunity to see some of the biggest names in music this year.”

Time Out (Entertainment Publication)

Reading Festival 2025 delivered on its billing — Travis Scott’s exclusive European stop and Chappell Roan’s historic headline slot gave the event cultural weight beyond its UK borders. The return in 2026, with over 60 new acts and dates confirmed for August 27-30, suggests the festival’s booking committee isn’t resting on past successes.

What are the dates for Reading Festival 2025?

Reading Festival 2025 ran from Thursday August 21 through Sunday August 24, 2025. Main performances across all stages occurred Friday through Sunday.

Where can I find the full Reading Festival 2025 lineup?

The full lineup with stage breakdowns is available through JamBase and Radio Times, which published the official set times including all Main Stage and supporting stage performances.

How do I get Reading Festival 2025 tickets?

Tickets were available through readingfestival.com with payment plans starting from a £20 deposit via Ticketmaster. The 2025 event has passed; 2026 tickets will be released through official channels in the future.

What safety features are at Reading Festival?

Reading Festival operates with comprehensive security, medical facilities, and clear site infrastructure. Detailed safety information is published on the official festival website.

Are there age limits for Reading Festival?

The festival operates with standard UK festival age policies, with specific restrictions for under-18 attendees in certain areas. Families should review the official guidance on readingfestival.com before purchasing tickets for younger attendees.

What time does Reading Festival 2025 start each day?

Main Stage performances typically began in early afternoon, with headliners taking the stage around 9:40-9:50 PM. Thursday opened with DJ sets from approximately midnight.

Who are the Reading Festival 2026 headliners?

Official 2026 headliner announcements hadn’t been made as of the 2025 festival dates. Dates are confirmed as August 27-30, 2026, with over 60 new acts announced. Full headliner reveals typically come in late autumn.


Related reading: Liverpool F.C. vs Barnsley F.C. Lineups

While the 2025 edition spotlights Travis Scott and D-Block Europe, the Reading Festival 2026 lineup already hints at next year’s headliners and ticket frenzy.

Freddie Arthur Davies Sutton

About the author

Freddie Arthur Davies Sutton

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.