SUBU Summer Ball is Bournemouth’s iconic end-of-year student festival dedicated to celebrating the end of the academic year. A full 12-hour celebration bursting with music, funfair rides and entertainment. Since 1994, it’s been the biggest student event in the UK and the defining moment of the BU and AUB calendar. Join thousands of students for a legendary night you won’t forget.
?Where: Chapel Gate (BU Sports Ground)
? When: Saturday 30th May 2026
⏰ Time: 2pm – 2am (After Party + Survivors Photo 2am-5am)
Every ticket to the Summer Ball includes:
? Return transport
? Unlimited funfair rides
? Inflatable games
? Student Drink Prices
?12 hours of music and performances
?After party until 4:30am
? Survivors photo at 5am
You must be a BU or AUB student to attend the event. Student ID and proof will be required to gain access. You can buy up to 4 tickets for yourself and 3 non-student guests. If buying guest tickets, please just purchase the SAME ticket type that applies to yourself.
Need Help?
WHAT IS THE SUMMER BALL?
The SUBU Summer Ball is the end of year party organised by the Students Union Bournemouth University. It is a day festival running from 2pm - 2am with several stages of music, entertainment, food stalls, bars and funfair rides. Open only to BU & AUB students plus their guests, it is the biggest in the country and the highlight of the end of term for all students!
WHERE IS THE SUMMER BALL?
The Summer Ball is located at Bournemouth University Sports Campus - Chapel Gate. Buses run from The Old Fire Station to the festival site and will drop you back at TOFS after the event. This travel is included with your ticket.
CAN I BRING NON-STUDENT FRIENDS OR FRIENDS FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES?
YES! All BU & AUB students can bring 3 guests with them (who all need to buy the same ticket type). All guests still need to buy a ticket!
ACCESSIBILITY
The SUBU Summer Ball takes place on a series of sports pitches, they are largely level with short grass. There are no steps.
The toilets are individual toilet units and a collection of shared urinal units, there is a supervised accessible toilet next to the first aid and quiet area.
The coaches to the event have accessible ramps.
The event is dark at night with festival style lighting for way finding and flashing lights and large video screens on stages.
The event is loud like a nightclub close to all stages.
There are staff to assist if you're lost or need assistance with access.
If you require a personal assistant due to a disability you can arrange this directly with SUBU, either through reception on 1st Floor Student Centre, Talbot Campus or by emailing subu@bournemouth.ac.uk
FACILITIES AT THE EVENT
There are bars selling drinks with and without alcohol, they are run by SUBU and prices are very reasonable.
There are a range of food outlets including vegetarian and limited vegan options. Gluten free options will be available but limited but please ask and check all the different caterers. Food outlets also sell soft drinks but they may not be a cheap as the bars that are run by SUBU.
There is free drinking water from designated points.
There is one large toilet block with many none gendered individual toilets, there is also a bank of urinals behind a screen. The accessible toilet is supervised in an area next to the first aid point (if you may need it please ensure you locate it when you arrive).
There is cloakroom and we recommend you use it if you need warm clothing late at night.
There is a first aid point and a security point, please ask staff to be directed if you need them or consult the site plan.
There is a whole world of entertainment across multiple stages - check the lineup before you arrive.
Security staff are stationed across the event and on all stages, they can advise you if you need help.