Tickets for London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks go on sale at midday today, with organisers expecting about 100,000 people to attend the annual display on the banks of the River Thames.
When and where the display will take place
The fireworks will begin after Big Ben strikes midnight, with pyrotechnics and light projections set to illuminate the skyline around the London Eye. City Hall has said the show will include reflections on the year just passed and will conclude with the traditional sing-along of Auld Lang Syne.
The event is being organised by City Hall with operational support from the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London (TfL), local councils and emergency services.
Ticketing, prices and authorised sales
Ticket prices have been confirmed as follows:
| Purchaser | Cheaper viewing area | Premium viewing area |
|---|---|---|
| London residents | £20 | £35 |
| Non-London residents | £40 | £55 |
City Hall has warned that only tickets purchased from the authorised outlet, Ticketmaster, will be accepted at entry. A smaller final batch of tickets will be released later in the year; organisers advise people not to buy tickets from unofficial sellers.
Security, transport and crowd management
With an expected attendance of around 100,000, the event will require significant policing and transport planning. The Met Police, TfL and local councils are listed as partners in delivering the event, which typically involves road closures, designated viewing areas and increased public transport services on the night.
Organisers have previously urged attendees to plan journeys in advance and to travel by public transport where possible. Given the scale of the event, residents and visitors should expect heightened security measures and potential disruption to normal services in central London around midnight and in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
Practical advice for prospective ticket-holders
- Buy only from the authorised seller: Ticketmaster.
- Decide whether you qualify for the lower London resident price before you purchase.
- Expect increased security checks and allow more time for arrival and departure.
- Check TfL and council guidance on travel and road closures as the event approaches.
- Be wary of unofficial resale sites or social media offers; these may not be valid for entry.
The sale of tickets at midday is likely to prompt heavy web traffic to Ticketmaster’s site; organisers have previously allocated tickets in phases and advised those hoping to attend to be prepared when sales open.
Local impact and accountability
Large public events on the Thames bring both economic benefit and logistical challenge for the capital. They produce a surge in footfall for hospitality and retail businesses in central London, but also place demands on emergency services, transport networks and residents living near the river.
City Hall and partner agencies are responsible for balancing access, safety and neighbourhood disruption. The warning that only Ticketmaster tickets will be accepted is intended to curb ticket fraud and protect attendees, but it also means residents with limited internet access or unfamiliarity with online sales may face barriers to securing tickets when they are released.
Further details on how the final smaller release of tickets will be handled, and arrangements for those who cannot secure tickets, are expected to be published by City Hall later in the year. For now, anyone hoping to attend should be ready at midday and follow official channels for the latest guidance and ticket information.
Reporting from London.
