DOWNLOAD festival is set to return next month as part of the government’s Events Research Programme.

Despite being called off earlier this year, organisers have confirmed that it will make a small-scale return next month for a three-day camping pilot as part of ongoing research into the safe return of live music.

10,000 fans will descend on Donnington Park from 18th-20th June, with “moshing allowed” and no masks or social distancing.

Those who bought a ticket for Download festival 2022 will be given priority access to tickets on 1st June. General sale will be on 3rd June.

There will be no day tickets for the scaled-back Download, with all attendees expected to camp for the duration of the event. They will also be required to take Covid-19 tests before and after the festival, and provide proof of a negative test to gain entry.

Festival Republic boss Melvin Benn said: “Following the huge success of our Sefton Park event, we are delighted to contribute to Phase II of the Government’s Events Research Programme with the creation of the first three-day camping festival which will be the Download Pilot at Donnington Park.”

“This massive next step will help us understand and study the safe return of large-scale festivals with no social distancing or face masks over a full weekend… the return of the full festival experience we have all been waiting for and a much needed return to work for musicians, backstage crew, caterers and many more that form part of the UK’s exemplary live music industry.”