Record-breaking Royal Albert Hall gigs raise over £2 million for Teenage Cancer Trust

04 June 2025 - Press release

This year's Teenage Cancer Trust gigs at the Royal Albert Hall have raised a record-breaking £2.05 million to fund much-needed specialist care and support for young people with cancer. 

This year's event marked 25 years since the flagship concerts were founded by Teenage Cancer Trust's Honorary Patron and lead singer of The Who, Roger Daltrey CBE.

The bumper year takes the total raised by the gigs to date to over £36 million, which has helped Teenage Cancer Trust fund specialist nurses, hospital units and support services right across the UK that help get young people through some unimaginably hard times.

Jamie Johnson, Head of Music and Entertainment at Teenage Cancer Trust, said: "This year, Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall has raised a phenomenal £2.05 million helping us provide the specialist care and support young people need at one of the toughest times in their lives.

"For a young person hearing the words 'you have cancer,' everything changes. The money raised through these shows helps make sure they have the right support around them – people who understand what they're going through and are there every step of the way.

"We're deeply grateful to the artists who gave their time and talent, the managers and agents who support them, the production teams who work tirelessly to deliver a world-class week of shows, our partners at SJM Concerts, headline sponsor Aldi, the Royal Albert Hall, and of course, the passionate fans who filled the Hall every night.

"These shows are built on generosity, belief and community. The need for our work is growing, and so is our determination to meet it. The continued support of the music and comedy industries remains vital – and we don't take it for granted.

"Together, we're making sure no young person faces cancer alone."

This is the second year in a row that the gigs have topped the £2 million mark, demonstrating the popularity of the shows and the incredible impact created by the music and entertainment industry for this important cause. This year's total was boosted by almost £500,000 in merchandise sales which have climbed by 394% since the shows were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid.

Kate Collins, Chief Executive of Teenage Cancer Trust, said: "We are so grateful to everyone who has helped us raise this record-breaking sum for teenagers and young adults with cancer. 

"Cancer is different for teenagers and young adults than it is for children and older adults – and yet they're often overlooked. This money will help us provide vital care and support to young people when they need it the most.

"In the 25 years since we held our first Teenage Cancer Trust show at the Royal Albert Hall, a lot of things have changed. But one thing that hasn't is that teenagers and young adults with cancer still need specialist, age-appropriate care to ensure they can hold onto their identity, independence and aspirations in the face of cancer and ensure that they don't miss out on all the things that makes being young special and unique. We are just as committed to making sure that happens as we have ever been, and the money raised through these gigs will help us make that a reality."

Rob Ballantine director at SJM Concerts said: "Following last year's record-breaking fundraising from the concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust I'm delighted to announce that for the second year running these shows have raised over £2 million for the charity. We at SJM Concerts are indebted to the industry for their unwavering support of these concerts and this charity. Every year we have so many artists, managers and agents step up to assist and put their artists forward.

"It is of course a great venue for anyone to play but to have the variety of artists starting with the Sex Pistols and going via James Arthur to The Corrs, Level 42 and two phenomenal shows by The Who is a great representation of the live music industry.

Whilst for some support acts understandably it was their first time playing the venue but for Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols it was the first time he'd ever set foot in the hall! The comedy night was again sold out and the charity received huge support from the world of comedy including their ambassador Romesh Ranganathan and headliner Mickey Flanagan.

"We are thrilled to start the plans for 2026 shows which are being curated by Robert Smith of The Cure. That will bring yet another new and interesting dynamic to the week of gigs and we are enormously grateful to Robert for taking on this challenge."

As well as the incredible acts on stage, dozens of young people had the opportunity to take part in the Ultimate Backstage Experience at the Royal Albert Hall, sponsored by Dominos, including a music workshop courtesy of the Royal Albert Hall's engagement team and their own on-stage moment in the spotlight to take a selfie with the 5,000 strong crowd who lit their phone torches to show their support for young people with cancer.

James Ainscough, Chief Executive of the Royal Albert Hall, said: "It's a great privilege for us to host the Teenage Cancer Trust shows each year. Over the past quarter of a century, artists from Ed Sheeran to Yungblud to Paul McCartney to Florence and the Machine have headlined the Hall in support of this vital cause, funding essential, age-appropriate support for young people with cancer. We're delighted that this year's incredible week of shows have raised a further £2 million for this crucial work."

This year's lineup included Frank Carter and Paul Cook, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols, James Arthur, The Who and a special night curated by cult indie label Erased Tapes. 

The legendary Night of Comedy evening also returned, hosted by Micky Flanagan and featuring Scott Bennett, Finlay Christie, Romesh Ranganathan, Katherine Ryan, Jack Skipper and Josh Widdicombe.

Although Roger Daltrey stepped back as curator last year he remains a tireless Honorary Patron of Teenage Cancer Trust. Curating duties will be taken over in 2026 by The Cure frontman Robert Smith and next year's gigs will take place from March 23^rd to March 29^th 2026. To be among the first to know the lineup, sign up to the Teenage Cancer Trust mailing list via teenagecancertrust.org.

For exclusive autographed artworks from this years show series visit Teenage Cancer Trust's merchandise store selling hand-signed prints in collaboration with high-profile talent.