Missed out on those coveted glastonbury tickets again? You’re not alone. Hundreds of thousands vie for a spot at the world-renowned festival held annually at Worthy Farm in Somerset. But securing a ticket isn’t the only way to soak in the magic. The BBC once again offered extensive, multi-platform coverage for Glastonbury 2025, bringing the vibrant energy and iconic performances directly to your screen, whether you were across the UK or tuning in from afar. This guide helps you discover how to catch the biggest moments, from Pyramid Stage headliners to hidden gems, all through the BBC’s comprehensive broadcast.
Experiencing Glastonbury 2025 Through the BBC
Glastonbury Festival 2025 transformed Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset into a sprawling hub of music, arts, and culture from June 25th to June 29th, with the main music stages running from June 27th to the 29th. Over 200,000 attendees experienced the five-day spectacle in person. For everyone else, the BBC served as the exclusive broadcasting partner, delivering an unprecedented amount of content across various platforms. Their commitment meant offering over 90 hours of live-streamed performances and highlights.
This wasn’t just about the headliners. The BBC aimed to capture the festival’s immense scale and diversity. Coverage spanned five of the main stages: the iconic Pyramid Stage, the electrifying Other Stage, the soulful West Holts, the dynamic Woodsies, and the eclectic The Park. This ensured viewers at home could curate their own festival experience, jumping between genres and discoveries.
How to Watch BBC Coverage in the UK
Watching Glastonbury 2025 via the BBC within the UK was straightforward and, crucially, free. The primary destination for comprehensive coverage was BBC iplayer. This streaming service offered live streams from multiple stages throughout the festival weekend (June 27-29). You could access iPlayer through their website (bbc.co.uk/iplayer) or via the dedicated app, available on a wide range of devices including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, streaming sticks like Amazon Fire Stick and Roku, and gaming consoles (Playstation, Xbox).
To access BBC iPlayer, you simply needed to register for a free account. This process requires an email address and a valid UK postcode (a generic example like W1A 1AA often works for registration). While the service is free to use, watching live TV or using iPlayer to catch up on broadcast programmes legally requires a valid UK TV Licence.
Beyond iPlayer, BBC also provided live broadcasts on their linear television channels: BBC One, BBC Two, and BBC Four. These channels featured curated live blocks of performances, highlights, and commentary throughout the weekend. Specific set timings were published, allowing viewers to plan their watching schedule around their favourite artists.
For those preferring audio, the coverage extended across BBC Radio stations. BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra, BBC Radio 2, and BBC Radio 4 all contributed to the festival atmosphere, broadcasting live sets, interviews, and expert analysis. BBC Sounds also offered a digital hub for live streams and catch-up audio content.
Watching Glastonbury 2025 from Outside the UK
One significant challenge for international music fans was that the BBC’s broadcasting rights for Glastonbury are typically restricted to the United Kingdom. This meant that accessing the free BBC iPlayer streams directly from locations like the US, Canada, or Australia was blocked due to geographical restrictions.
The most widely recommended solution for viewers outside the UK hoping to stream the BBC’s Glastonbury coverage was using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN allows you to connect to a server in another country, masking your real location and making it appear as though you are browsing from within that country. By connecting to a UK server via a VPN, international viewers could then access BBC iPlayer as if they were located in the UK.
Using a VPN for this purpose generally involves a few simple steps:
- Sign up for a reputable VPN service that has servers in the UK and is known for reliably unblocking BBC iPlayer (services like ExpressVPN or NordVPN are often recommended).
- Download and install the VPN app on your chosen device.
- Launch the VPN app and select a server location in the United Kingdom. Connect to this server.
- Once connected to the UK server, visit the BBC iPlayer website or open the app.
- Log in to your free BBC account (or register if you haven’t already).
- You should now be able to access the live streams and on-demand Glastonbury content.
While VPNs offer privacy and security benefits, remember that using them to access geo-restricted content may technically go against the terms of service of streaming platforms, so it’s always advisable to check. Success can sometimes depend on your specific internet provider, browser, and the VPN itself. Troubleshooting might involve trying different UK servers or clearing your browser’s cache.
What to Expect from the Coverage: Stages, Artists, and Highlights
The BBC’s 2025 Glastonbury coverage was designed to be immersive. With over 90 hours dedicated to the event, viewers had a wealth of options. Live streams ran concurrently from the five main stages mentioned earlier, allowing you to switch between performances in real-time. For the main Pyramid Stage, streams were available in stunning Ultra High Definition (4K), providing a crystal-clear view of the biggest sets. British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation was also available for Pyramid Stage broadcasts, increasing accessibility.
The lineup featured a mix of global superstars and rising talent. Headliners for the festival included names like Olivia Rodrigo (closing the Pyramid Stage on Sunday night), Neil Young (whose Saturday headline set was confirmed for live broadcast after initial uncertainty), and The 1975. The coveted Sunday Legends Slot saw veteran artist Rod Stewart serenade huge crowds from the Pyramid Stage.
Other prominent artists featured across the stages and covered by the BBC included Charli XCX, Noah Kahan, Snow Patrol, The Prodigy, RAYE, AJ Tracey, Jorja Smith, Shaboozey, Nile Rodgers & Chic, The Libertines, Celeste, Bob Vylan, Doechii, The Script, CMAT, Inhaler, and Wunderhorse (noted as a “Pick of the week” performance).
Not every single set was live-streamed, however. For example, the Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap’s performance on the West Holts stage was not immediately live-streamed but was made available for catch-up viewing on iPlayer later on the Saturday of their set. This highlights that while coverage was extensive, some exceptions applied.
Beyond the Live Streams: Special BBC Features
The BBC offered more than just raw performance streams. The Glastonbury Channel provided a curated experience, featuring presenters like Clara Amfo, Huw Stephens, Jack Saunders, Jamz Supernova, Jo Whiley, and Lauren Laverne. These hosts guided viewers through the festival, offering commentary, interviews, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and analysis of standout moments, surprises, and special guests. This channel acted as a central hub, keeping viewers connected to the overall festival narrative.
For those who couldn’t watch everything live or wanted to relive their favourite moments, the BBC recommended the Glastonbury Highlights Channel. This dedicated 24-hour stream, available from late Friday evening until Wednesday, July 30th, showcased the biggest, most talked-about performances from across the weekend. Additionally, individual sets were available for on-demand catch-up viewing on BBC iPlayer for up to 30 days after their broadcast.
The detailed broadcast schedule provided specific timings for performances aired on BBC’s television channels. For instance, Sunday night featured Celeste on BBC Four at 7pm, Rod Stewart on BBC One at 7:15pm, Snow Patrol and St Vincent on BBC Four at 9pm, The Prodigy on BBC Four at 9:45pm, and Olivia Rodrigo headlining on BBC One at 10pm (slightly delayed from her stage time). These scheduled broadcasts offered a structured way to ensure you didn’t miss key artists.
The BBC’s commitment to covering Glastonbury 2025 meant that even without a ticket, you could experience the energy, the diverse music, and the cultural phenomenon that is Worthy Farm. Whether you tuned into the live streams on iPlayer, caught a specific set on TV, or listened on the radio, the festival was brought directly to your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I watch Glastonbury 2025 on BBC iPlayer for free in the UK?
Within the UK, you can watch the majority of the BBC’s extensive Glastonbury 2025 coverage for free via the BBC iPlayer website or app. Simply register for a free account using an email address and a UK postcode. While accessing iPlayer is free, remember that a valid UK TV Licence is required by law to watch live broadcasts or catch up on programmes on the service.
What’s the best way to watch Glastonbury 2025 on the BBC from outside the UK?
As BBC iPlayer content is geo-restricted to the UK, the most common method for watching Glastonbury 2025 coverage from outside the UK is by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Choose a reputable VPN service with reliable UK servers. Connect to a UK server via the VPN app, then access BBC iPlayer as usual. This makes it appear as though you are browsing from within the UK, bypassing geographical blocks.
Which artists and stages does the BBC cover live at Glastonbury 2025?
The BBC provided live streaming coverage from five main stages at Glastonbury 2025: the Pyramid, Other, West Holts, Woodsies, and The Park. Coverage included performances from major artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Neil Young, Rod Stewart, Charli XCX, Noah Kahan, Snow Patrol, The Prodigy, RAYE, and many more across different genres. Some sets, like Kneecap’s, were made available later on demand rather than live-streamed.
Conclusion
Glastonbury Festival 2025 delivered yet another unforgettable weekend of music and culture from Worthy Farm. Thanks to the BBC’s dedicated and comprehensive coverage, millions around the UK and potentially international viewers via VPN were able to experience the festival’s highlights. With over 90 hours of live streams across multiple stages on BBC iPlayer, curated broadcasts on BBC TV and Radio, plus catch-up options on the Glastonbury Channel and Highlights Channel, the BBC ensured that even ticket-holders who couldn’t attend didn’t miss out on the action. Staying home offered unparalleled access, allowing fans to navigate between stages and artists, all from the comfort of their own homes.
