What the Latest UK Benchmark Report Tells Us: Raising the Curtain on Recovery

A major new TRG Arts study, tracking the performance of 177 UK arts organisations, reveals both promising signs of post-pandemic recovery and growing pressures that could affect long-term sustainability.

'Raising the Curtain on Recovery' is our latest benchmark report, developed in partnership with Data Culture Change. It offers one of the most comprehensive looks at sector health in the UK to date, using data from the Arts & Culture Benchmark to analyse seven years of performance across key metrics: performance supply, ticket sales, capacity achieved, ticket revenue, and average ticket price.

While the topline trends are encouraging (ticket sales and venue occupancy have surpassed pre-pandemic levels) the report also highlights more sobering realities. Once adjusted for inflation, ticket revenue is down, and average ticket prices have steadily declined since 2021. These patterns vary widely across venue types and sizes, revealing a recovery that is far from uniform.

Key Findings from the Report

While audience demand is returning and the number of performances has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, recovery remains uneven. Larger venues are driving growth in ticket sales and occupancy, but inflation-adjusted revenue growth remains fragile, with pricing pressures and inflation-adjusted declines threatening long-term resilience.

• Performance Supply – Performance activity is up 6% compared to the 2018–2019 average, though slightly down from 2023.
• Ticket Sales – A 4% increase on pre-pandemic averages, led by larger venues in major cities.
• Capacity Achieved – Venues are, on average, fuller than before the pandemic.
• Inflation-Adjusted Revenue – Despite strong attendance, box office income is down 1% in real terms.
• Average Ticket Price (ATP) – Adjusted for inflation, ATP has declined 3% since 2019, with a steady drop since 2021.

While many organisations are seeing strong audience return, this doesn’t always translate to financial resilience. The gap between full houses and falling real-terms revenue suggests a challenge in pricing, with some organisations holding rates steady, or discounting, despite rising operational costs.

Turning Insight into Strategy

The findings in this report show that recovery isn’t a one-size-fits-all story. Larger venues are seeing growth in ticket sales and fuller houses, but many organisations, especially small and mid-sized venues, are still working to regain financial stability.

While audience demand is returning, income is not always keeping pace with rising costs.

What separates the organisations moving forward is their ability to use data strategically. They're adapting pricing models, focusing on long-term customer loyalty, and aligning decisions with real-time insight - not guesswork. This report offers an opportunity to do the same: to move beyond short-term fixes and toward sustainable growth.

Ready to explore what this means for your organisation?

Download the full benchmark report below and connect with us to discuss how these insights can support your strategic planning, pricing, and audience development goals.