Burning Man 2025 Shifting To A ‘Pay-What-You-Will’ Ticketing System
Burning Man, the week-long music and art festival held in the Nevada desert at the end of August, has opened its ticket registration. You have until 12pm Tuesday, February 11th to register for the first sale, which begins February 12th. However, the ticketing process has undergone significant changes this year.
Historically, Burning Man tickets at lower price points were available during April and July sales, and even in August last year when the event didn’t sell out. This year’s process is a little different. Due to a $20 million budget shortfall from lower attendance last year, Burning Man Project is implementing a “pay-what-you-will” system. Tickets are offered at the following tiered prices: $550, $650, $750, $950, $1,500, and $3,000 (plus taxes and fees). Those who access the sale first will have the option of choosing any of these prices, but once the $550 and $650 tiers sell out, buyers will only have the option of choosing the more expensive tiers. The idea is that those who can afford it will pay more, subsidizing lower-priced tickets for others.
“2025 tickets give participants options on how they wish to engage, making this year’s Black Rock City a communal experience that is more accessible to all who wish to participate. Those who choose to pay more ($950, $1,500, or $3,000) for a ticket are helping subsidize lower price tickets for other participants (through programs like the Ticket Aid Program), event operational costs, and art grants.”
-Burning Man spokesman
For those who can’t afford regular tickets, the Ticket Aid Program offers $225 tickets (plus taxes and fees) to a limited number of applicants, starting mid-February. Additional sales are planned for April, along with a final one on July 30th, but the available ticket prices and quantities for these sales are unknown. Burning Man Project has not disclosed how many tickets are available at each price point, unlike previous years.
This new system has sparked controversy, with some supporting it and others criticizing the lack of transparency. Head on over to the Burning Man website here to register for tickets. and stay tuned for more details.
