TheBristol International Balloon Fiesta was such a success this year that organisers have announced that its trading deficit has been reduced from £100,000 to £15,000.
It comes after the team behind the event had to make significant changes to the format of the Fiesta – one being the cutting of the event’s run from four days down to three. While, behind the scenes, there was a focus on increasing revenue through sponsorship, commercial partnerships and hospitality packages.
This year also saw a huge focus towards local communities who may otherwise find it difficult to journey to theFiesta’s home at Ashton Court Estate. A series of nominations were opened to allow locals to vote for their own community heroes and launch sites.
The event was a huge success, despite some rain and heavy winds seeing some flights cancelled, with three out of the six mass ascents going ahead, both Night Glows taking place, local community hero flights, historic special shapes tethered in the arena, and even the National Ballooning Championships making a brief visit as part of their competition activities.
This year marked the first year in the organisation’s strategic five-year plan, which will culminate with the Fiesta’s 50th anniversary in 2028, and today organisers have released the Fiesta’s impact report for 2024, ahead of next year’s event. There was ‘increased pressure’ on monetary success this year, following a combination of poor weather, the Covid-19 pandemic, the rising cost of living, inflation, and challenges in the supply chain, putting the event’s future in jeopardy.
Organisers wanted to continue to provide a free event for the city that “celebrates Bristol, supports the region’s economy, and brings the magic of hot air ballooning to everyone” – something that was made ever more prevalent after an economic impact assessment revealed that the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta directly injects £14.7 million into the economy during the event week, making it ‘the city’s most valuable outdoor event’.
Since the pandemic, the event has been operating at a loss and, following the 2023 event, the annual deficit stood at £100,000. With the help of support form local businesses, organisations, visitors and the wider public, this year the team have managed to reduce the annual trading deficit to £15,000 – that’s a massive £75,000 improvement, and a sign that the Bristol Balloon Fiesta has ‘turned a corner’, organisers say.
While work remains to ‘make up for financial losses over the last few years’, this year’s progress gives organisers “renewed optimism for the event’s future and longevity as it approaches its 50th anniversary”.
Ben Hardy, executive Fiesta director, said: “Bristol is the home of ballooning in Europe and an important capital for the sport worldwide. For balloon enthusiasts from around the globe, the Fiesta is a celebration of the activity, yet for the local community and the history of the city, the fiesta is a cultural festivity that is synonymous with Bristol.
“We have a social and economic responsibility to protect this event for generations to come, and certainly guide it up to the 50th anniversary in 2028. The support we’ve received this year has been exceptional, and the progress we’ve made underlines our commitment to strengthen the event’s overall financial health.
“While there’s still work to be done to address the full financial picture, we must take a minute to give our gratitude for the great show of support we’ve received from the city. So, to everyone who’s helped us get this far – whether through sponsorship, partnership, in kind support, advertising, ticket purchases or donations – thank you every one of you.”
The 2025 Bristol International Balloon Fiesta will take place from Friday, August 8 to Sunday, August 10, maintaining the new three-day format. Tickets for next year’s event will be released imminently. So, watch this space.