Coronation concert: can you get tickets for King Charles event, is ballot still open?

Thousands of free tickets for the star-studded concert set to take place over the King’s coronation weekend were made available to the public.

The live televised musical extravaganza will take place on Sunday (May 7) the day after Charles III is crowned. A full list of the performers will be announced in the coming weeks.

The national ballot for tickets opened at 7am on Friday, 10 February. Members of the public were invited to apply by visiting the BBC’s website with the ballot closing just before midnight on Tuesday, 28 February.

The event – staged on the castle’s East Lawn and featuring global “music icons and contemporary stars” – is the first time a concert has been held in the grounds of the Berkshire royal residence, the BBC said. It will be broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.

How many free tickets were available?

Around 10,000 free tickets for the concert at Windsor Castle were made available via a national ballot. You could apply for tickets from 10am on Friday, 10 February, and it will close on 28 February.

Winners will be allocated based on the geographical spread of the UK’s population and not on a first-come, first-served basis, with 5,000 people each given a pair of tickets in the ballot run by Ticketmaster.

What rules are in place for the concert?

The outdoor concert will begin mid-evening and last for around two to three hours. Umbrellas, folding chairs and large flags will be banned from the arena.

The standing area is uncovered and open to the elements, with concert-goers warned to bring a waterproof coat in case it rains. There is no dress code, but on a list of frequently asked questions on the BBC website, guests are urged to “please avoid wearing clothing with large slogans and offensive wording”.

Revellers will not be able to bring alcohol or food in with them, but will be able to buy food and drink inside and can bring in an empty water bottle to fill up at the water fountains.

Concert will ‘bring the country together’

Charlotte Moore, BBC chief content officer, said: “The coronation concert on the BBC will bring the nation together to mark this momentous occasion and we are thrilled to be able to offer the public the opportunity to be part of the event at Windsor Castle through a national ballot, as well as providing audiences with exclusive coverage across TV and radio.”

One of the highlights will be “Lighting up the Nation”, in which famous locations across the UK will be lit up with projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations. Stars from screen and stage will also deliver a selection of spoken word sequences and a world-class orchestra will play interpretations of musical favourites fronted by famous entertainers.

The Coronation Choir, a diverse group that will be created from the nation’s keenest community choirs and amateur singers from across the UK, such as refugee choirs, NHS choirs, LGBTQ+ singing groups and deaf signing choirs, will also make an appearance. The Coronation Choir will appear alongside The Virtual Choir, made up of singers from across the Commonwealth, for a special performance on the night.

Also in the audience will be volunteers from the King and Queen Consort’s charity affiliations. The remaining tickets will be made available to charities who work in support of young people, the military, the environment, their local communities and the wider Commonwealth.

Winning ticket-holders will be selected after February 28.