FAQs
Primary Content
FAQs: Royal Albert Hall Friends & Patrons
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Royal Albert Hall’s Friends & Patrons scheme below.
If you have any further questions then you can drop us a line via our contact form or by Tweeting us @RoyalAlbertHall.
Joining and renewing
Your support will help us to secure the future of the Royal Albert Hall, breathing new life into our beautiful Victorian building and benefitting even more people through our award-winning Education & Outreach programme, changing lives with the power of music.
From Priority Booking to exclusive events, being a Friend or Patron gives you access to some great benefits.
The simplest way to join is by signing up online. Alternatively, you can call us on 020 7070 4445 or sign up in person at the Box Office in Door 12 when you next visit.
You can pay by Direct Debit, credit card, cheque, cash (in person at the Box Office), charity voucher or with a Royal Albert Hall gift voucher.
As a rule, we allow for one membership per person. However, you will have the opportunity to book a minimum of two tickets to any event for which Priority Booking is available. You can name another person on your Friends & Patrons card but we will only provide one card.
We will contact you around a month before your membership is due for renewal. You can also find your renewal date on your Friends & Patrons card or in ‘My Account’ when you are logged in to your account on the Hall’s website.
If you pay by Direct Debit we will renew your membership automatically and post you a new Friends & Patrons card at least 10 days before the debit is due on your account. You can cancel future annual Direct Debit payments at any time. Please contact us at friends@royalalberthall.com if you would like to amend or cancel your Direct Debit.
Yes, you can buy a gift membership either through our website, by calling our Box Office on 020 7070 4445 or by visiting our Box Office in person. You will receive a gift voucher which can be sent to the recipient by the Royal Albert Hall.
Priority Booking
Priority Booking offers you the chance to book tickets with a priority over public booking. It is available for selected shows (subject to availability and excluding the BBC Proms, normally two tickets per Friend, four tickets per 1871 Patron, per performance).
Friends & Patrons have a Priority in that they are able to book tickets 24 hours ahead of public booking, however sometimes all booking will open at the same time, yet Friends & Patrons will have access to more tickets. This is called a Priority Booking Allocation. We will send you regular email notifications of the latest shows and Priority Booking dates so that you don’t miss out.For Friends and 1871 Patrons, Priority Booking is available online unless you are booking with accessibility requirements, in which case please call the access booking line on 020 7070 4410.
To book online, please make sure that you are logged in first:- Log on to your account
- Go to the page on our site for the event that you would like to book for
- Click on 'Find Tickets' to view available tickets
Benefactor, Ambassador and Circle Patrons have a dedicated booking line.
Normally, you will be able to book two tickets per performance, but we will try to offer more where possible.
We are doing our best to offer Priority Booking for the majority of public events at the Hall but, unfortunately, this is not always possible and is at the discretion of the promoter.
No – all Friends & Patrons benefits, including any tickets that you purchase during Priority Booking, are strictly for your personal use only. You may be asked to present your Friends & Patrons card when you come to a show.
The Royal Albert Hall reserves the right to cancel a membership without offering a refund if the Hall’s terms and conditions are broken.
Being a Friend or Patron gives you a very good chance of booking tickets during the Priority Booking period, but sometimes demand may outstrip supply.
We do everything we can to make sure that there are enough tickets for everyone during Priority Booking but this is not guaranteed.
Discounts and Other Benefits
These events are a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow Friends and learn more about our iconic building. We’ll send email invitations to Friends’ events for you and a guest. Friends’ events are offered on a first come, first served basis and may be subject to an additional charge.
To find out the latest programme, please email friends@royalalberthall.com.
Currently, Friends & Patrons receive a 30% discount for themselves and a guest for all Royal Albert Hall tours.
To receive your discount on Tours, visit our shop in Door 12 or call us on 020 7070 4445 and present your Friends & Patrons card at the time of booking. Discounts will not be applied retrospectively.
You are entitled to a 10% discount for Hall-branded retail products purchased from the Shop at Door 12. Simply present your Friends & Patrons card at the time of purchase to receive your discount. This discount cannot be used for event programmes or show related merchandise and will not be applied retrospectively.
Royal Albert Hall Friends & Patrons are entitled to a 20% discount on lunch at the Verdi - Italian Kitchen. Show your Friends & Patrons card to a member of staff when you arrive to receive your discount.
This offer is available at lunchtime only. It does not apply to Live Music Brunch, and cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion.
We will send you regular email notifications of Priority Booking opportunities and updates on special events for members of the Friends & Patrons scheme. If you would like to change your email preferences or opt out, visit your account, on the website and select ‘My Details’ from the dropdown options. You can also opt out by clicking on the 'unsubscribe' link at the bottom of the Priority Booking emails, or by calling us on 020 7070 4445.
If you opt out of receiving emails from us, you will not be notified of Priority Booking dates, announcements or Friends’ & Patrons’ events.
Changing Your Membership
We have a range of Patrons' memberships available. Become a Patron to help us change lives with the power of music whilst enjoying additional benefits, such as backstage tours and unique events, rehearsals and Q&As with artists and performers.
You can upgrade your Friends & Patrons level at any time during the year by calling the Friends & Patrons team on 020 7070 4444 or emailing patrons@royalalberthall.com.
You can cancel your membership part way through the year but we are unable to offer refunds, subject to your statutory rights. In exceptional circumstances, we can transfer your membership to someone else – please contact the Friends & Patrons team. Find out more about our terms & conditions.
Yes, all of our Friends & Patrons levels are a minimum commitment of one year from your enrolment date.
Secondary Content
Other FAQs
Browse our general FAQs to learn more about the Hall’s services and facilities.
If you are bringing children to the Hall then browse our Family FAQs to help you plan your visit.
If you have access needs, then our Accessibility FAQs aim to answer as many questions as possible ahead of your arrival.