Boardmasters have vowed to “be better neighbours” to visitors and local residents following a series of fall-outs and shortcomings in recent years.
Director Rob Spring spoke to BBC Radio Cornwall about the controversy that surrounded the 2024 and 2025 editions of the festival, and pledged to make the live event safer and more pleasant going forward.
The concerns arose as the 2024 edition saw numerous concertgoers speak out about a crowd surge after the event, in which seven attendees were hospitalised and others needed treatment from on-site medical staff.
That year also saw 11 people arrested at the festival site with charges relating to drug offences, sexual offences and assault. Festival organisers addressed the incidents and reassured people that they would be implementing new and improved safety measures for the 2025 edition.
Boardmasters rebuilds trust. The Festival boss says being a better neighbour is “critical” after past disruption concerns 🌊🎶 pic.twitter.com/msuIJSZKvY
— BBC Cornwall (@BBCCornwall) June 26, 2026
New changes included 24/7 security coverage across campsites, more high-vis patrols, 24-hour support, and various medical points that were staffed by A&E doctors, nurses, and paramedics.
Speaking about how he is determined to reassure people that “Boardmasters is safe” ahead of the 2026 instalment, Spring told BBC Radio Cornwall that he felt “saddened for anyone that was injured” at the 2024 event, and added that an independent report had been commissioned to get to the root of the issue.
He then added that the findings from that report led to the enhanced safety measures being implemented in 2025 and, as a result, organisers were “commended on the safety of that event”.
Other issues surrounding the 2024 edition included severe traffic buildup in the local area, and Spring told the outlet that the issues then were “not acceptable” and unlikely to happen again thanks to new protocols.
“In 2024, we brought the roads to a standstill. That is not acceptable,” he said. “We tore up our traffic management plan [after that], brought in locals and brought in the best specialists that we could find.”
The changes, he claimed, mean that the roads during the 2025 instalment “were as quiet as an out-of-season day”.
Traffic chaos, safety fears, and a big reset 👀
Boardmasters boss says being a “better neighbour” is vital for the festival’s future after past problems in Newquay 🎶🌊
Read more: https://t.co/qGtKCCZjim pic.twitter.com/7OOEaUd7p2
— BBC Cornwall (@BBCCornwall) June 25, 2026
While changes were implemented to reduce traffic congestion and increase the safety of punters, Boardmasters 2025 also drew some backlash after some social media users claimed that they had been victim to or witnessed spiking incidents on site.
In a statement addressing the claims, festival organisers shared that there had been a total of 14 reported spiking cases in 2025 – down from 55 in 2024 – and said that all individuals tested on site had returned a negative result for substances associated with spiking.
“While one incident is always one too many, this reduction shows that the work we do, alongside our partners, is making a real difference,” said CEO Andrew Topham at the time. “We remain committed to creating a space where everyone, of all ages, can enjoy the festival safely and respectfully, and doing everything we can to prevent harm whilst supporting those affected.”
Last year’s Boardmasters saw headline performances from Central Cee, RAYE and The Prodigy, and other names on the bill included The Wombats, Wet Leg, Franz Ferdinand and Bob Vylan.
The latter’s inclusion proved controversial, with hundreds calling for them to be dropped from the line-up after their provocative Glastonbury set, where they voiced their support of Palestine and led a chant of “death to the IDF”.
Speaking about the atmosphere that organisers are hoping to make at the 2026 edition, which takes place between August 5 and 9, Rob Spring said that they hope to create a space where “44,000 people [can] come together to feel that sense of freedom, be in the moment, connect with each other and connect with the artists.”
“We discount pitches for local businesses… We employ local production companies, but there’s more to do,” he added. “And that’s why we always say that we want to keep on speaking to the local community to see how we can be better neighbours, to see how actually the local community can benefit.
“I like to think that actually the payback to Newquay and the surrounding areas for putting up with us, and hopefully we’re good neighbours, is that we help to put Newquay, Fistral Beach, Watergate Bay and Cornwall in a national and international spotlight.”
Say hello to your first Boardmasters 2026 acts.@FatboySlim @KasabianHQ @LoyleCarner @thekooksmusic
👉 Presale starts Thurs 27th November 10am
⚠️ Sign up before Weds 26th November at midnight for your 24-hour head start and to get Tier 1 ticket access. pic.twitter.com/Wu2jfGiBuo
— Boardmasters (@boardmasters) November 25, 2025
The festival launched in 1981 originally as a surfing competition, and has gone on to become one of the biggest music festivals in the UK. As well as the live music, it still hosts surfing competitions and skate contests.
Boardmasters 2026 will see headline performances from Lily Allen, Kasabian and Fatboy Slim.
Other names on the line-up include Joy Crookes, Jacob Alon, Rose Gray, Chloe Qisha, The Kooks, Loyle Carner, Tash Sultana, The Darkness, Lambrini Girls, Florence Road, Tinie Tempah, Dizzee Rascal, Example and Alessi Rose. Visit here for any remaining tickets.
