Download Festival 2027: Tickets, Travel and Group Minibus Hire

The UK's biggest rock and metal festival returns to Donington Park from Wednesday 9 to Sunday 13 June 2027, with campsites open from Wednesday. Over 90,000 fans make the trip each year, most carrying tents, crates and a week's worth of kit. For friend groups, Download Festival coach hire or a private minibus gets everyone and everything there in one go, without fighting for a seat on the shuttle bus.

Download Festival 2027 Tickets

Limited early bird tickets went on sale on 15 June 2026, the day after the 2026 festival ended, with headliners still to be announced. Buy only from the official Download Festival site or its authorised agent, Ticketmaster. Children under 5 are not recommended on site.

How to Book Download Tickets

1. Go to downloadfestival.co.uk and choose your ticket type (weekend camping, arena-only or day tickets when released).
2. Add upgrades such as Camping Plus or a car parking pass if needed.
3. Use Ticketmaster instalments to spread the cost where offered.
4. Once your group's tickets are confirmed, book your minibus or coach for arrival on Wednesday and departure on Sunday or Monday.

How to Get to Download Festival

Venue address: Donington Park, Castle Donington, Derby DE74 2RP. The site sits next to East Midlands Airport, on the Leicestershire–Derbyshire border.

By road: Leave the M1 at junction 23a (follow signs for East Midlands Airport on the A453) or junction 24. The site is about four miles from J23a and five miles from J24. Expect heavy queues on Wednesday and Thursday mornings.

Dropoff and pickup: All dropoffs, taxis and pickups use the Transport Hub next to the East Entrance, not the campsite gates. Follow the "Pick Up & Drop Off" signs.

By train: The closest stations are East Midlands Parkway (about 20 minutes by shuttle) and Derby (about 30 minutes). Festival shuttle buses run from both; in recent years single fares were around £4.

By coach: Big Green Coach is the official coach partner, with services into the festival coach park. A private hire minibus or coach is a flexible alternative, leaving from your own street and arriving when your group wants.

Check the latest travel page on the Download Festival website before you set off; routes change each year.

Why Hire a Minibus or Coach for Download?

• All your kit in one trip. Tents, chairs and crates go in the luggage space, not on your lap.
• No shuttle queues at Derby or East Midlands Parkway.
• Pickup from your door, even for groups spread across one town.
• No one drives. Nobody has to stay sober for the drive home on Sunday night or Monday morning.
• Split the cost. One minibus for 16 friends usually works out cheaper per head than trains plus shuttles.

Vehicle Options for Download Groups

• 8–16 friends: A minibus hire with luggage trailer on request.
• 17–33 people: A midi coach for a big friend group or band crew.
• 34–57 people: A full size coach hire for fan groups, clubs and festival shuttles from your town.

Download Festival Travel Tips

• Arrive Wednesday if you want a good camping pitch; the earlier you arrive, the closer you pitch.
• Agree a Transport Hub meeting point for the return pickup. Phone signal is weak on site.
• Allow extra time if flying. East Midlands Airport roads are congested during the festival.
• Check the banned items list. Flags on sticks and glass are not allowed in the arena.

Book your festival minibus now!