Please can there be far more restrictions on camping chairs for IofW 2026?

[TheFellaLondon]

I know this topic has come up before, but we have just got back from the Isle of Wight festival, and had a really good time overall. That said, it seems as if literally half the audience now has a camping chair, and insists on setting them up in them most ridiculous and thoughtless places. All around the bars, side of the stages, outside the Big Top, even outside the toilet areas. Seems to be huge areas of them in big groups or lines, as if we were are a partly seated gig! Not only incredibly frustrating, but also really dangerous for the crowds moving around, and obviously worse after dark. For example a huge seated area seemed to spring up in the part of the Octopus Garden facing the stage, so after purchasing food and trying to move back down towards the stage, you had to negotiate hundreds of them. I really think it is time chairs were completely banned from the main arena and all around any bars, toilets or other facilities.

[bingobear]

11 hours ago, TheFellaLondon said:

I know this topic has come up before, but we have just got back from the Isle of Wight festival, and had a really good time overall. That said, it seems as if literally half the audience now has a camping chair, and insists on setting them up in them most ridiculous and thoughtless places. All around the bars, side of the stages, outside the Big Top, even outside the toilet areas. Seems to be huge areas of them in big groups or lines, as if we were are a partly seated gig! Not only incredibly frustrating, but also really dangerous for the crowds moving around, and obviously worse after dark. For example a huge seated area seemed to spring up in the part of the Octopus Garden facing the stage, so after purchasing food and trying to move back down towards the stage, you had to negotiate hundreds of them. I really think it is time chairs were completely banned from the main arena and all around any bars, toilets or other facilities.

Agree. The biggest issue I found was the large groups of 20 or more set up in huge circles so plenty not even facing the stage. Completely disinterested in the acts. Just merrily chatting away. I many cases these chair owners would become irate if people tried to cross their space 

[Henrik]

Yep, agreed. It’s completely ridiculous at this point. It’s getting worse every year. 

 

Ban all the chairs before someone gets seriously hurt. People kept asking if it was busier this year. It wasn’t. There were just a load more chairs. Everyone was forced to walk the tiny paths as it was impossible to navigate the mass of chairs that were everywhere else. 

[prefab]

I would be so happy if they finally banned the chairs--or at very least, restricted them to very specific areas with lots of walking paths in between them. It looked like they were finally doing that on Sunday; I was pleased to see that I could walk from Lightning Seeds to Justin Timberlake to James very easily because a wide path had opened up in the chair areas. But they just need to be serious about getting security to enforce it. Some of the craziest crowd congestion on Saturday came after people parked their trollies and chairs in the middle of the path that led from the River Stage to the bar to the Main Stage. 

[Deckard]

Agreed. I took a look early yesterday and there is only one stone track to the left of the ferris wheel (looking at the stage) which was generally respected as a route to be kept clear. After barging my way through to the front for the Stereophonics I was amazed at how much space there was.

 

I don't think they will ban chairs (like Victorious does) as the family/dad rock audience would be up in arms but at least mark out a couple more lanes for passing to/from the front!

 

[Henrik]

Yeah we won’t get a complete ban unfortunately, but designated areas with plenty of walkways in between seems a fair compromise. 

 

It can’t continue as it is. Honestly, someone will get hurt. 

[SueK]

I understand peoples frustration about the chairs and carts and creating a space in the middle of them but when you go with your family with young children including children that have additional needs having an enclosed space is much more secure for the young children as they can be kept safe and seen at all times and also they are not then knocking in to other people, disturbing them and being frowned at by other adults and at times push out of the way by people.  It is a wonderful family festival please don't try to stop families with young children beg able to enjoy it.

[bingobear]

18 hours ago, SueK said:

I understand peoples frustration about the chairs and carts and creating a space in the middle of them but when you go with your family with young children including children that have additional needs having an enclosed space is much more secure for the young children as they can be kept safe and seen at all times and also they are not then knocking in to other people, disturbing them and being frowned at by other adults and at times push out of the way by people.  It is a wonderful family festival please don't try to stop families with young children beg able to enjoy it.

That's fine but they need to show consideration to others rather than get aggressive with them and to not block obvious pathways. That said. Many of these groups I witnessed had no children with them, just large groups of adults sat in their circle chatting away and welcoming friends in with yet more wine. What would your excuse be for them? 

[Kingkev]

On 25/06/2025 at 07:13, bingobear said:

That's fine but they need to show consideration to others rather than get aggressive with them and to not block obvious pathways. That said. Many of these groups I witnessed had no children with them, just large groups of adults sat in their circle chatting away and welcoming friends in with yet more wine. What would your excuse be for them? 

Victorious family fest and hardly any chairs and blankets

[bingobear]

12 hours ago, Kingkev said:

Victorious family fest and hardly any chairs and blankets

Was exactly my point. Victorious not allowing chairs works really well and if anything it's more of a family fest than isle of wight and in answer to the other point I responded to I've never felt my kids have been unsafe because there aren't giant circles of chairs everywhere 

[Andy3229]

I seem to remember back in 2006 when we first went to IOW, chairs were totally banned ! Haven’t been back for a few years, but they are becoming a PITA as are the carts at other festivals we go to.

 

I don’t know what the solution is, maybe have segregated areas for chairs etc, but I guess it would be difficult to control ! 
 

Seating is provided at Latitude at the back of the arena for those that need it.

[SarahBrown13]

On 22/06/2025 at 17:37, TheFellaLondon said:

I know this topic has come up before, but we have just got back from the Isle of Wight festival, and had a really good time overall. That said, it seems as if literally half the audience now has a camping chair, and insists on setting them up in them most ridiculous and thoughtless places. All around the bars, side of the stages, outside the Big Top, even outside the toilet areas. Seems to be huge areas of them in big groups or lines, as if we were are a partly seated gig! Not only incredibly frustrating, but also really dangerous for the crowds moving around, and obviously worse after dark. For example a huge seated area seemed to spring up in the part of the Octopus Garden facing the stage, so after purchasing food and trying to move back down towards the stage, you had to negotiate hundreds of them. I really think it is time chairs were completely banned from the main arena and all around any bars, toilets or other facilities.

The chair situation this year was ridiculous. It’s one thing for people to set up a small spot at the back, but whole “villages” of chairs blocking walkways, bars and stage approaches is a real safety issue. After dark it’s even worse — you’re basically tripping your way through an obstacle course. A simple rule like “no chairs in main arena or high-traffic areas” would make a massive difference. Festivals managed fine without them for decades.