British Summer Time Hyde Park is set for a significant expansion, with up to 75,000 more people cleared to attend their summer concert series.
On Thursday, Westminster City Council’s Licensing Sub Committee gave The Royal Parks permission to host nine concerts across the year, each with a capacity of 69,999 people.
Previously, BST Hyde Park was approved to host nine concerts over the year – seven with a capacity of 64,999 capacity and two with two at a capacity of 49,999.
The festival, renowned for attracting global superstars such as Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift, has already announced a 2026 line-up featuring Maroon 5, Duran Duran, Pitbull, and Lewis Capaldi.
In a letter, The Royal Parks said: “As a charity we are operating in a challenging economic environment. It costs around £75m a year to manage the parks. The charity raises around 85 per cent of this money itself, with the remaining 15 per cent coming from the Government.”
“In addition to generating vital funds for The Royal Parks, BST Hyde Park provides significant wider economic benefit, contributing millions of pounds to the London economy.”
Organisers hope the change will assist them to “remain competitive in the market for artists” amidst growing rivalry from other major venues across the capital.
The Royal Parks said that events would finish at 10.30pm from Monday to Saturday, with an earlier finish time of 10pm on Sundays. There would be no changes to the license, including the area used for the events, apart from to the capacity of the festivals.
In a written objection, one local resident said that they were worried the changes would lead to an increase in noise from the festival. They said that one summer noise from BST Hyde Park was so loud they “could not even listen to the Wimbledon final” in their own home.
“Added to that, I am afraid dispersing concert goers are not well-behaved and run through the residential streets screaming and alas urinating. Hyde Park was destined for all the enjoy – not to be taken over by paying guests with no respect for the environment,” they wrote.
Several organisations also wrote to Westminster City Council in support of the application. Baker Street Quarter Partnership, which represents 175 businesses, organisations and landowners, said that the plans would benefit the economy, as well as raising funds for The Royal Parks.
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There are strict noise controls at the festivals, The Royal Parks added. In 2025, there were only 15 unique noise complaints about events in the park. BST Hyde Park also puts on a series of free community events during the summer, including yoga, outdoor cinema and a classical orchestra.