‘It’s an absolute joke’ fume furious fans as massive UK festival tickets sell out immediately despite price hike

COUNTRY music lovers have been left fuming after the bulk of tickets for a top UK festival were swiped during the pre-sale - despite rocketing fees.

This meant that the tickets left available for general sale were priced at more than £150 - with fans also unable to choose their own seats for the trio of shows across arenas in Glasgow, London and Belfast.

Now, many cowboy boot-stomping followers of the likes of Lainey Wilson, Dierks Bentley, Cody Johnson and Nate Smith have missed out on tickets for the Country To Country Festival 2025 completely.

The event runs across three days and as many venues, and has swiftly become Europe’s premier destination to see the world’s best country artists and future stars.

Yet many hoping to attend C2C 2025, which runs from March 14 to 16, have been left disappointed.

They blasted the "absolute joke" process which saw a pre-sale for individual and weekend tickets followed by a general sale four days ago.

One fuming fan then took to Instagram to rage: "What a ride that ticket sale was.. anyone actually get a ticket?"

Another added: ";All the tickets went during pre sale and the ones that are available today are £160 each for restricted view???"

A third bluntly quizzed: "Did anyone actually get a ticket?!?!?"

One then remarked: "Everything is Sold Out because of Pre-sale! Sorry but it is an absolute joke! Not fair on people who have never been before."

One then mused: "Surely that's not all tickets released. Gone in 60 seconds ffs."

Another noted the increase in pricing and put: "Why have tickets gone up so much and why can’t you pick your own seats this year?

"Not impressed! Not sure I’m going to be going."

Lainey will headline the opening day of the festival at London's O2 Arena along with acts including Dylan Gossett and 49 Winchester as support.

The American country singer-songwriter developed a love for music when she was nine years old, after watching a show at the Grand Ole Opry with her family.

“I just remember looking up there, being like, ‘Man, I wanna do that,’” she told The Boot.

Before making it big, Lainey worked a string of music-related jobs, including playing in a cover band and being a Hannah Montana impersonator, the Disney character popularised by Miley Cyrus.

The following day in North Greenwich sees Dierks take the plum spot on the bill with performers Tyler Hubbard and Chayce Beckham some of the others set to take to the stage.

The festival will also see Cody supported by Shaboozey and others including The Castellows wrap the London event.

The groups of performers will also play Glasgow's OVO Hydro and Belfast's SSE Arena on rotation.

Last year's event saw Country music favourites Brad Paisley, Priscilla Block and Elle King take to the stages.

Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations & Development previously said: "The festival continues to provide opportunities for fans to discover new artists, while also giving more established Nashville artists international exposure and profile."