Coachella, one of many world’s most iconic music festivals, has been curating “you had to be there” moments for practically three a long time. However behind these Instagram-worthy moments lies a troubling new actuality: for almost all of attendees, the expertise is just attainable by way of month-to-month installments.
In response to a current Billboard report, a staggering 60% of normal admission ticket-holders used fee plans to assist fund their Coachella journey in Indio, California this yr.
Attending Coachella has all the time include a hefty price ticket, but it surely has soared in recent times. Normal admission passes began at $599 in 2025, not together with extra bills for fundamental human wants resembling lodging, transportation and meals, all of which have confronted inflationary value hikes.
To alleviate the monetary burden, month-to-month fee plans allowed potential attendees to order tickets with a down fee as little as $49.99. The one charge incurred for using this service is a flat $41 versus dealing with the looming rate of interest out of your bank card.
This system launched again in 2009, aiming to make Coachella extra accessible to a broader viewers. Nevertheless, this yr’s dubiously record-breaking variety of fee plans displays broader cultural and financial traits close to the swelling value of music festivals.
Whereas short-term mortgage companies like Purchase Now, Pay Later (BNPL) present monetary aid up entrance, they’ve the potential to stretch budgets, encourage irresponsible spending and compound debt.
“[Coachella’s] vibe, FOMO-driven, culturally iconic, pushes fans to prioritize experiences over savings, a mindset amplified by social media’s flex culture,” wrote Forbes‘ Jack Kelly.
Roughly 80,000 to 100,000 followers reportedly opted for fee plans to attend this yr’s pageant in SoCal. Coachella is now scheduled to return to its longtime house on the Empire Polo Membership over two 2026 weekends: April 10-12 and April 17-19.
