Information

ACCESSIBLE VIEWING AREAS

There are various accessible viewing areas available within the arena and District X.

Raised Viewing Platform

The raised viewing platform is available for wheelchair users and those with restricted mobility. Access to the platform will be approved in accordance with the requirements indicated on your Nimbus Access Card or Download Digital Access Pass.

Only the approved customer and their essential companion will have access to the raised viewing platform. This allows us to accommodate as many customers, who require use of this facility, as possible.

All raised viewing platforms have ramped access, wheelchair-accessible toilets, charging points and drinking water.

Limited seating is also available at each platform.

Raised viewing platforms may get busy. Please note that these are operated on a first come first served basis.

Some raised viewing platforms are not covered so please dress appropriately for all weather conditions.

Ground Viewing Area

A dedicated ground viewing area is available to those who need a less crowded area and the option of sitting for short periods of time.

Access to the ground viewing area will be approved in accordance with the requirements indicated on your Nimbus Access Card or Download Digital Access Pass.

The ground viewing areas are situated in front of the raised viewing platforms and are separated from the main crowds by a barrier. These are primarily standing areas, although limited seating is available and is operated on a first come first served basis.

Customers may be accompanied in the ground level viewing area by a companion.

ACCESSIBLE TOILETS

Wheelchair accessible and standard toilets for accessibility customers are located across the arena and District X. They are available to all accessibility customers.

CHANGING PLACES

In the arena, there is a changing places unit featuring an adult changing bed, toilet, sink, and hoist. (Please note that hoist slings will not be available.  Please remember to bring your own.)

ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCE LANES

There are dedicated entrance lanes for accessibility customers to access the arena.

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION HUBS

There are information hubs in the arena and District X for accessibility customers, staffed by our dedicated team.

SENSORY CALM SPACES 

Sensory Calm Tents are located within the arena. The aim of these spaces is to provide a safe, low-level stimulation and recalibration zone for any customers who need to use them.

BARS

Dedicated accessible lanes are available at each main bar. This section of the bar has a lowered counter and bypasses the main queuing system.

FACILITIES

If you require accessible camping you will need to select this option when completing your Download Accessible Facilities Application form.

Our accessible campsite is located next to the arena and has its own dedicated entrance. It is a secure, safe space where the accessibility team and stewards will be based throughout the festival to assist you. The following facilities are available within this campsite:

• A dedicated accessibility information hub
• Wheelchair accessible and standard unisex toilets
• Wheelchair accessible and standard unisex showers.
• Accessible routes
• Changing places unit featuring an adult changing bed, toilet, sink and hoist. (Please note that hoist slings will not be available. Please remember to bring your own.)
• Charging facilities for wheelchairs and medical equipment.
• Accessible sink and drinking water points.
• Kettle and hot water.
• Secure cold fridge to store medication.
• Essential electric power supply (if requested and approved)
• Food traders
• Merchandise stand
• Lockers to rent

ARRIVAL

On arrival, customers staying in the accessible campsite will be allowed to drive onto the accessible campsite to unload their car. (Please be aware that for health and safety reasons, this will not be possible once the campsite reaches a certain capacity).

We provide an internal bus and buggy transport service to the accessible campsite.

The accessibility team will also be available to help you carry your luggage from the car park to the campsite.

PITCH SIZE, GROUP SIZE AND GAZEBOS

We aim to accommodate as many customers as possible in the accessible campsite. To assist us with this, please be aware of the following:

• You will be allocated a pitch based on the information provided in your Download Accessible Facilities Application form. Please be respectful of your neighbours and only bring tents appropriate for the size of your party.
• You will be permitted to camp with a maximum of three other people (this includes your essential companion).
• You may be asked to move or remove your gazebo if it is taking up too much space. We ask that you consider fellow campers when pitching your gazebo.

ACCESSIBLE CAMPERVANS

If you want to bring a campervan, please select this option in your Download Accessible Facilities Application form. Once your application has been approved, the accessibility team will send you a link to purchase an accessible campervan ticket (subject to availability).

• Campervan spaces are limited and sold on a first come first serve basis.
• Campervan tickets are supplementary to your festival ticket.
• You will be given a pitch measuring approximately 6m x 7m.
• Only one campervan ticket is required per pitch.

We are proud to be partnering once again with Nimbus Disability and the Access Card. All customers applying for accessible facilities at Download will need to have either a valid Nimbus Access Card or a free Download Digital Access Pass. If you haven’t got one of these, details of how to register with Nimbus are outlined in Paragraph 3 of this section.

1. Purchase your ticket to Download

Before applying for accessible facilities, please buy your Download ticket first.

(Do not purchase a ticket for your essential companion as this cannot be refunded).

Once you have purchased your ticket, please return to this page to apply for use of the accessible facilities.

2. Already have a valid Nimbus Access Card or Digital Access Pass?

This section applies if you hold a valid Nimbus Access Card or you already have a Download Digital Access Pass from 2024 (or from any of these festivals)

All you will need to do now is complete the Download Accessible Facilities application form. Please have your Access Card or Digital Access Pass I.D number with you, as you will need to input this on your application form.

3. Don’t have a Nimbus Access Card or Digital Access Pass?

If you don’t already have a Nimbus Access Card or Digital Access pass, you will need to apply for a free Download Digital Access Pass with Nimbus.

How to apply for a Download Digital Access Pass

First, you will need to register your proof of disability with Nimbus.

To register your proof of disability, you will be asked to provide some supporting documentation and information which will be assessed by Nimbus.

Once this has been successfully assessed, you will be issued your Download Digital Access Pass (or your Access Card, if you have upgraded).

Your Download Digital Access Pass will be valid for 3 years to use at Download (and at any of these festivals)

Apply for a free Download Digital Access Pass here.

Once you have received confirmation of your Download Digital Access Pass (or Access Card) from Nimbus, return to the Download Accessible Facilities Application Form to apply for use of the accessible facilities.

4. I have completed the Download Accessible Facilities application form – what do I do now?

The Download Accessibility Team will review your application and will contact you by email once it has been processed.

5. Temporary Impairments

Please note that our accessible facilities are unable to cater for people with temporary impairments. A temporary impairment is anything that affects an individual for less than 12 months such as broken bones, healing injuries or pregnancy.

CAR PARKS

The accessible car parks are located in close proximity to the accessible campsite and the arena:

• Accessible parking is free but must be requested on your Download Accessible Facilities Application form.
• Blue badge holders do not automatically qualify for accessible parking. This must be requested on your Download Accessible Facilities Application form.
• Accessible parking is limited to 1 parking pass per accessible customer.
• By way of clarification, friends and family arriving in separate vehicles will not be able to park in the accessible car park and will need to park in the general car parks.

DROP OFF PASSES

If you are being dropped off at and picked up from Download, please let us know in your Download Accessible Facilities Application form. We will then send you a pass so you can be dropped off and picked up in the accessible car park. This will be sent closer to the festival date.

FOOD

All Download customers are permitted to bring a small amount of food for personal consumption into the arena.

Accessibility customers are permitted to bring additional food in excess of the usual amount into the arena.

(This increased allowance applies to accessibility customers only and not to essential companions or friends and family).

DRINK

All Download customers are permitted to bring a sealed, unopened 500ml bottle of water or soft drink into the arena.

Accessibility customers are permitted to bring one sealed, unopened bottle up to 1.5l of water or soft drink into the arena.

(This increased allowance applies to accessibility customers only and not to essential companions or friends and family).

In RIP, we aim to create a camping experience that is accessible for all our customers by providing the below:

• Accessible shower & toilets units in each campsite (Park Farm, Sleepy Hollow, Metal Meadow 1, Metal Meadow 2)
• Charging points for devices such as portable medical machines or mobility scooters

For further information about accessible facilities at Download, please visit our accessibility page.

Please be aware that due to a high level of interest in our RIP packages, we cannot guarantee availability of your preferred accommodation as many are already sold out. If you have any specific accessibility requirements or concerns in RIP, please contact VIP Nation by sending an email to Download@vipnation.co.uk.

How do I book a free Essential Companion ticket?

Accessibility applications will open later in the year, more information can be found on our accessibility page. In the meantime, please secure your RIP package via Ticketmaster. All guests (including potential companions) should ensure they are included in an RIP booking.

ACCESSIBILITY GUIDE

Customers who have applied and been processed for accessible facilities will be sent an Accessibility Guide prior to the event.

GROUND CONDITIONS / WEATHER

Download Festival takes place in the hallowed ground of Donington Park.

The site has the benefit of existing hard standing and temporary trackway routes, in certain areas.

However, please be aware that the festival primarily takes place on grass fields with some sloping areas that are steep in sections.

It is also important to be aware that, during wet weather, the site is likely to become muddy and become more difficult to navigate.

EFFECT LIGHTING

Smoke machines, strobe lights, lasers, fireworks, and other effects may be in use at this event. Anyone affected by these should bear this in mind.

MEDICAL AND WELFARE

Medical and welfare facilities are available throughout the festival.

Doctors, paramedics, first aiders, and fully equipped ambulances are based at the medical centre.

SECURITY AND STEWARDS

In the unlikely event of an emergency or site evacuation, Security and Stewards are deployed throughout the festival. They will assist in moving everybody to a place of safety.

They are also briefed to offer information, help and support.

If you are unwell or require assistance, please approach a member of the Security and Stewarding Team who are clearly identifiable by their numbered tabards/shirts.

An essential companion ticket is provided to those customers who would be unable to attend without the help and support of another person. If your Nimbus Access Card or Download Digital Access Pass indicates the essential companion requirement, we will automatically provide you with an essential companion ticket free of charge.

Please do not purchase a ticket for your essential companion as this cannot be refunded. 

Your essential companion must be aged 18 or over.

They must be willing and able to perform all your requirements and must provide assistance to you during the unlikely event of an evacuation or other emergency.

If your essential companion wishes to bring a child into the festival, then the child must be accompanied by another adult who has purchased a ticket.

If the customer approved for an essential companion on their Nimbus Card is a child of 12 years or under, they must also be accompanied by an adult that has purchased a ticket. The child cannot attend the festival with the essential companion alone.

If you need different people to assume the role of your essential companion throughout the festival, please indicate this on the Download Accessible Facilities Application form in the Additional Information section.

Assistance dogs will be approved in accordance with the requirement indicated on your Nimbus Access Card or Download Digital Access Pass.

A spending area will be available for assistance dogs.

There will be accessible toilets located within all general campsites, including the Mini Moshers campsite.

Please be aware that the quiet campsite is located at the furthest distance from District X and the arena, to minimise the noise transfer.

The general campsites are located further from District X and the arena than the accessible campsite. More information on each general campsite will be made available closer to the festival.

For security reasons, we ordinarily only permit customers to bring a small bag (A4 size) into the arena.

Accessibility customers are entitled to bring a bigger bag into the arena. (One bag only per accessibility customer).

Please contact accessibility@downloadfestival.co.uk

For enquiries about accessibility, please contact accessibility@downloadfestival.co.uk or visit our accessibility page.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email the accessibility team at accessibility@downloadfestival.co.uk

BSL INTERPRETING SERVICES

A British Sign Language performance interpreting service will be provided on request and at no extra charge, providing reasonable notice is given in advance of the festival.

Please make sure you request this service on the Download Accessible Facilities Application form.

Customers who have requested this service will be contacted by the interpreting team for an understanding of which performances they would like covered; this is not guaranteed and subject to change.

HEARING LOOPS

Hearing loops will be installed at all box offices and information hubs.

There will be an internal shuttle bus and buggy service available to help customers with accessibility requirements move around the festival site.

You can bring prescription medication to the festival but please ensure it is in the original packaging with the dispensary sticker intact.

If you need to bring in loose medication or medication that’s not in its original packaging, please also bring the prescription(s) with you.

Refrigerated medication storage is available in the accessible campsite, arena and District X.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Medical marijuana prescribed for daily use may be brought into the event.

Please bring the medication in its prescribed form together with the original prescription supporting its use for the entire duration of your time at the event. You may be asked to present this, along with identification matching the name on the prescription, upon entry.

District X is only accessible to those with camping tickets.

There is a drop off / pick up area is located inside the Transport Hub at Download Festival, with road signs directing to this.

Conveniently located, the hub is next to the East Entrance with access for weekend and day ticket holders. Our transport team is on hand to assist with directions and schedules, making your travel experience as smooth as possible.

Please ensure you instruct drivers to drop you off and pick you up from this location and not nearby roads! Roads surrounding the festival can be unsafe, with unstable verges, often with no pavements or lighting. ‘No stopping’ orders in place around the site will also mean that drivers may risk enforcement action if they do not use the Transport Hub.

We do not handle the hire of mobility scooters directly. Please make your own arrangements with your chosen provider.

Yes, all RIP accommodations and bookings include RIP Weekend Festival Tickets to Download.

Please note that there will be no receipts issued for any confiscated/surrendered items and they will not be available to collect after the festival.

Campfires and Gas

Open campfires are not allowed at Download Festival. Anyone that starts a fire or throws toxic or dangerous items onto a fire leaves themselves liable for eviction.

NO GAS canisters or petrol fuelled cookers will be allowed anywhere on site. There will be no exception to this rule, anyone found using gas may be asked to leave site!

Alternatively please use one of the following: meth stoves including fuel, trangia stoves, solid fuel, gel stoves, green base camp cooker and firelighter stoves.

Any liquid fuel such as Meth Stoves (with 1L methylated fuel/spirit max) and/or Trangia Stoves (1L Trangia fuel max) should be in a sealed original container to ensure that it can be used and stored safely.

Please raise BBQ’s and camping stoves at least 30cms off the ground to avoid burning the site.

Do not use BBQ’s inside of tents.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, highly poisonous gas that can kill in minutes. Never take a portable barbecue – or lit charcoal – into an enclosed space like a tent or caravan. Make sure exhaust fumes from generators are properly vented away from occupied areas.

If you think you have potentially be exposed to carbon monoxide gas from a BBQ or gas powered heater whilst at the festival, please contact a steward immediately.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Tiredness and confusion
• Stomach pain
• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing

Read more about BBQ Safety.

Drones

Just a friendly reminder that drones are strictly prohibited, given the proximity to East Midlands Airport. This is a very serious offence, and police will be onsite to enforce this. Arrests have been made in the past, please don’t miss out on Download by doing this!

No, these camping options are separate campsites and do not include RIP benefits like access to RIP or the Guest Area. Please note the Lounge is separate to the Guest Area but as RIP includes access to the Guest Area, we would not advise RIP customers to purchase the Lounge as well.

Melbourne Hall has a dedicated bar with craft beers, a tearoom in which to have a full English breakfast each morning and beautiful grounds in which to relax before heading into the main arena at Download. Visit Ticketmaster for more information on the Rock Retreat at Melbourne Hall.

If you have any further questions, please contact VIP Nation through at download@vipnation.co.uk.

Booking accommodation to stay in either Metal Meadow 1 or 2, or the offsite hotels, gives you access to all things RIP including; weekend RIP Tickets for Download, Guest Area and RIP Village access, proper toilets and hot showers as well as the RIP ‘doggie’ bag with exclusive merchandise.

• Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult 18+. Every person in your party must have a valid RIP ticket to stay on the RIP campsites, including children.
• Under 5’s can stay in RIP Camping / Accommodations for no extra charge but please note that not all accommodations can accommodate additional guests and no beds or bedding will be provided.
• Strictly NO GAS canisters or petrol fuelled cookers will be allowed anywhere on site. Please see the our list of things you can and can’t bring for a list of alternatives and to check on other prohibited items/substances before you pack.
• Please raise BBQ’s and camping stoves at least 30cms off the ground to avoid burning the site. Bricks are available for you to use, please ask the RIP Reception. Open campfires are strictly prohibited. BBQs and open campfires are strictly prohibited in the Metal Forest.
• Rock by day and rest by night. RIP areas are quiet campsites, so please keep noise to a minimum after 1am. Please respect your neighbours by observing the quiet time. Remember accommodation walls aren’t as thick as your walls back home!
• Please note some noise caused by festival production / vehicles and the nearby airport will be unavoidable.
• The stated locations of campsites are the expected locations but please note there may be changes to the layout subject to production requirements.
• Please do not post pictures or screenshots of your tickets online when you receive them.
• Live Nation reserves the right to eject those disturbing the peace without readmission or refund.
• Take a look at VIP Nation term & conditions. Download terms & conditions can be found here.
• Ticketmaster UK Limited is selling these packages on behalf of VIP Nation who are solely responsible for delivering the package & the quality of the products and services to be provided.

Upgrade your experience for access to our 24 hour reception, pamper area, showers & flushing toilets.

The Eco-Camp provides space for its campers to connect with and respects nature – a community who value spending time in the beautiful fields just as much as listening to their favourite bands. This is a place where everyone wants to keep their camp clean and recycling is second nature, a place to meet like-minded people.

There is no extra cost to stay in The Eco-Camp, it just requires every guest to sign up to the following principles:

1. All guests agree to being responsible for their gear and take responsibility for any waste they produce.
2.  All guests agree to separate their recyclables in the recycling facilities and put any residual waste in the bins provided.
3. All guests agree to leave the Eco-Camp exactly as they found it. All camping equipment that is brought in must be taken home again.
4. Guests are encouraged to have fun, play, explore, respect fellow campers, and enjoy the wonderful, natural surroundings.

Visit our Tickets page for the Eco-Camp tickets (note to access you must hold a valid weekend camping ticket to Download Festival).

No, car passes are included with all RIP bookings, the quantity varies by booking type so please see below for more information.

If you have purchased RIP Park Farm or Sleepy Hollow, you can choose to add 1 or 2 complimentary car passes to your booking after you have added your tickets to the basket. For RIP accommodations, there is one pass per 3 guests automatically included in your booking, i.e. a Bell House for 4 includes 2 car passes.

Any extra car passes will be charged at the price of standard car park.

RIP Hotel bookers are not sent a car pass, as they have parking at their hotel included in their booking.

Please ensure you have the access to the address that’s stated in your Ticketmaster account as that is where your car pass will be posted to. Guidance on how to update your address can be found on Ticketmaster. The address is linked to the billing method used to pay for the booking.

We encourage car sharing to minimise our impact on the environment so please share the journey with your friends where possible!